Rep. Aaron Clausen

Maddy summaryHB 251 authorizes Wyoming's legislature to sue Washington state for denying permits for coal export terminals, which Wyoming claims unconstitutionally harms its coal industry. The bill creates a $250,000 "coal export terminal litigation account" to fund legal costs, allowing a joint legislative committee to hire private counsel and pursue damages or declaratory relief. It directly affects Wyoming's coal producers and economy by enabling legal action to address permit denials that the legislature asserts disrupt interstate commerce and state revenue. The bill does not change existing laws but provides specific funding and procedural steps for this lawsuit.

Maddy summaryHB 148 requires Wyoming's five elected state officials and all legislators to annually disclose contracts they have with state entities. Specifically, they must list the business name, address, contract type, and dates for any contract involving a business they financially own (excluding small stock holdings under 1% or minor business interests). This disclosure must be submitted by January 31 each year to the Secretary of State. The bill does not change state spending rules but mandates transparency about potential conflicts of interest in existing contracts. It applies to all state agencies and judicial branches, effective July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 111 authorizes community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degree programs (called "baccalaureate of applied science" degrees) for the first time. It requires the Community College Commission to approve all new such programs before they can receive state funding. The bill also updates the Hathaway scholarship program to cover these new degrees, allowing students to use scholarships for up to eight semesters to complete them while maintaining a 2.25 GPA. This directly affects community college students pursuing applied bachelor's degrees and the colleges offering them.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts qualifying private schools from county zoning regulations in Wyoming. It specifically applies to private schools located on 35 or more contiguous acres with a capacity for at least 50 students, as defined in state law. County zoning rules can no longer restrict the location, use, or occupancy of such schools. The policy change took effect July 1, 2019, directly affecting only private schools meeting these two size and capacity requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 55 allows mobile home owners in Wyoming to use a copy of their title instead of the original when transporting their mobile home within the state. The bill amends tax and permit rules to require owners to present a copy of the title (along with proof of tax payment) to the county treasurer before obtaining an over-width permit from the Department of Transportation. This change directly affects mobile home owners who need to move their homes on public roads, simplifying the process by eliminating the need to carry the original title. The law became effective July 1, 2019, and does not alter the requirement to pay annual property taxes for transport permits.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 118 clarifies that tax liens on mineral production (like oil and gas) have priority over most other claims against the mineral property. It requires counties to notify existing lienholders 90 days after taxes become delinquent and file their lien within 120 days, while protecting taxpayers' rights to appeal tax disputes before enforcement. This directly affects mineral producers who owe taxes, creditors holding prior liens, and counties managing tax collections. The law applies to mineral tax liens perfected on or after July 1, 2019, and ensures mineral tax claims are prioritized over most other debts except federal/state claims and pre-existing, properly recorded liens.

Maddy summaryHB 199 allows Wyoming school districts to enter direct agreements for virtual instruction without state regulation. It permits one district to hire a teacher from another district to teach students remotely, provided the agreement specifies compensation, requires the teacher to be employed by the teaching district, and ensures courses align with state academic standards. This bill exempts these specific agreements from standard virtual education oversight rules. It directly affects school districts seeking cross-district virtual learning partnerships and became effective July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 107) redirects 1% of fees from historic pari-mutuel wagering events in Converse County to the state fair account instead of splitting them between the county and local municipality. It amends Wyoming law to require the commission to transfer these fees directly to the state fair fund when events are approved in Converse County under specific provisions. The change applies to all reported pari-mutuel events in Converse County, ensuring the revenue supports the state fair. The bill took effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming counties from eliminating livestock grazing on state-owned land without first following specific procedures. It requires counties to comply with the zoning article and their comprehensive plan before restricting grazing. The law directly affects counties managing land use and livestock operations using state lands. It became effective July 1, 2019, ensuring existing grazing uses on state land cannot be unilaterally ended by county action.

Maddy summaryHB 184 creates a new legal process for landowners in Wyoming who lack access to public roads to establish private road easements over neighboring properties. It requires applicants to prove they’ve exhausted other access options and pay a bond to cover costs, while courts must appoint neutral viewers to determine the most reasonable route (max 30 feet wide), minimize land damage, and set fair compensation for affected neighbors. The law prioritizes historical access paths when agreed upon and mandates compensation for land value loss, improvements, and income impacts. This directly affects isolated rural landowners and their neighbors in disputes over access rights.