Rep. Julie Jarvis

Maddy summaryWyoming's SJ 9 is a joint resolution urging Congress to protect the state's access to federal public lands while ensuring local communities have a say in land management decisions. It opposes broad or indiscriminate sales of public lands and demands federal agencies respect Wyoming's existing land-use plans, county-level input, and multiple-use frameworks that support recreation, agriculture, hunting, fishing, and resource development. The resolution also calls for funding to streamline efficient land exchanges under current laws when they benefit local communities and public access, without advocating for specific policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Wyoming to renew their state-issued identification cards by mail instead of appearing in person. To qualify, residents must be full-time facility occupants, submit a notarized attestation from facility staff, pay a fee, provide documentation for any ID changes, and surrender their old card. The renewal method cannot be used if a resident has already renewed twice in 16 years or is changing information on their ID. The Wyoming Department of Transportation must create rules to implement this process, which takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 120 creates "industrial sovereign zones" where natural gas producers and manufacturers can transform gas into new products (like hydrogen or ammonia) through substantial chemical changes. It provides tax exemptions for facilities in these zones, fast-track permitting for new manufacturing operations, and establishes a voluntary "gold standard" certification for products with low methane emissions (under 0.2%). The bill directly affects natural gas producers selling to these facilities and manufacturers building new processing plants within designated zones. Key provisions include streamlined licensing, tax breaks for machinery and gas sales, and certification standards to promote Wyoming-made products as distinct from raw fossil fuels.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows hunters who have shot a black bear to use one leashed blood-trailing dog to track and recover the animal within 72 hours of the shot. It directly affects hunters who harvest black bears in Wyoming, permitting this specific tracking method under defined conditions. The key provision requires the dog to remain leashed and limits tracking to wounded or killed bears within the 72-hour window. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from Wyoming's tourism reserve fund to support the development of a rodeo and cowboy museum and hall of fame in Wyoming. The funds will be distributed in three installments of $5 million each on July 1, 2026, 2027, and 2028, contingent on the Wyoming Tourism Board certifying that relocation efforts will boost tourism, jobs, and state revenue. Applicants must provide matching funds (at least $1 for every $1 granted) and relocate to Wyoming by June 30, 2028, or repay the grant. The Wyoming Office of Tourism must report annually on fund usage until 2036.

Maddy summaryHB 144 clarifies and updates Wyoming law regarding fire protection districts' tax authority. It amends statutes to specify that districts may levy up to 3.10 mills (three ten mills) annually for operations, plus additional mills needed for debt payments on approved bonds, without exceeding limits set in other sections. This directly affects fire protection districts across Wyoming by defining their tax levy limits for funding operations and debt service. The bill makes no change to the existing mill levy cap but ensures consistent language in related statutes. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 167 increases K-12 school funding in Wyoming by modifying special education reimbursement rules and raising the base teacher salary used in funding calculations. It requires full reimbursement (100% of previous year's spending) for most special education costs (excluding out-of-district placements), with those placements reimbursed quarterly in the year incurred. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the base teacher salary used to calculate school funding will be set at $65,000 annually. The bill appropriates $348.6 million for school district payments and $8.9 million for retirement cost reimbursements, both expiring June 30, 2028. These changes directly affect all Wyoming public school districts and their special education programs.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 190 directs the Board of Land Commissioners to transfer specific parcels of land (totaling approximately 3,000 acres in Natrona County) to the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources for development as a state park. The bill requires the transfer to occur by July 1, 2027, after completing a site criteria process, with lands sold at fair market value (funds going to the common school account). It appropriates $6.5 million from the general fund specifically for land procurement and resolving mineral leases on the properties. The department must report on the site criteria process to a legislative committee by October 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 176 modifies how Wyoming school funding is calculated by including students who pass competency-based equivalency exams in the average daily membership (ADM) count for the remainder of the semester they took the exam. This directly affects school districts receiving state education funding based on ADM, as it may increase their funding for these students. The bill requires the state superintendent to create implementing rules for the education resource block grant model. It becomes effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's DUI laws to clarify that "vehicle" does not include horses or other equines when ridden. It specifically updates sections 31-5-233 (DUI penalties) and 31-5-234 (youthful driver alcohol laws) to exclude horse riders from these provisions. The change directly affects people riding horses, ensuring they are not subject to motor vehicle DUI laws. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.