Rep. Daniel Singh

Maddy summaryHB 161 requires financial institutions to provide a separate written disclosure to guarantors or co-signers when a loan involves property as collateral. This disclosure must clearly state that agreeing to guarantee or co-sign a loan does not grant any ownership rights or interest in the property securing the loan. The bill directly affects individuals who co-sign or guarantee loans for property purchases or collateralized loans, ensuring they understand their limited legal position. It does not change existing property rights but mandates transparency about the lack of ownership interests from co-signing. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 174 removes the $20,000 value limit on homestead exemptions for Wyoming homeowners. This bill directly affects residents who claim homestead exemptions, allowing properties of any value to be protected from creditors. The key provision amends Wyoming's civil procedure code (W.S. 1-20-101) to eliminate the previous cap, meaning homeowners can now shield the full value of their primary residence. The change takes effect July 1, 2023. This is a straightforward policy update to the homestead exemption law, with no additional provisions or complex mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 239 repeals Wyoming's requirement that drivers stop a vehicle's engine, lock the ignition, remove the key, and set the brake before leaving a vehicle unattended. This change directly affects drivers in Wyoming who previously could have faced penalties for not following these specific parking procedures. The bill removes these legal requirements, meaning drivers are no longer prohibited from leaving a vehicle running unattended under this statute. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming law, as specified in Section 2.

Maddy summaryHB 164 requires Wyoming newspapers publishing legal notices (such as court filings or public hearings) to also post them online. Specifically, newspapers must publish these notices on a statewide digital repository (maintained by a newspaper organization representing most Wyoming papers) and on their own website, in a free, open location with no extra cost to the person publishing the notice. This applies to all legal notices currently required to be published in print, ensuring public access to these notices online without additional fees. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 210 creates a "restricted financial institution list" for banks that discriminate against energy companies without a valid business reason. It requires the state treasurer to maintain this list after board approval, providing 45 days' notice to institutions before listing them and allowing removal if they stop discriminatory practices. The state must then refuse to enter into banking contracts with institutions on the list, affecting state and local government financial relationships. This bill directly impacts financial institutions that target fossil fuel companies, with definitions clarifying "discrimination" includes refusing service based on energy sector activities. The policy change focuses on state contracting practices, not altering banking regulations for institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 197, the "Defend the Guard Act," would have prohibited the Wyoming National Guard from being deployed into active duty combat unless the U.S. Congress officially declared war or took specific constitutional action under Article I, Section 8, Clause 15. It defines "active duty combat" as participation in armed conflicts, hazardous services related to conflicts abroad, or duties involving "instrumentality of war." The bill allows domestic deployments under Title 32 for civil authority missions within the U.S. but blocks combat deployments without explicit congressional authorization. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 253, the "Credit Card Defense Act," requires merchants selling firearms or ammunition in the state to use a "sporting goods" merchant category code for all transactions, instead of codes specifying firearms. Financial institutions, credit cards, and payment processors must not collect or generate personally identifying information beyond this category code for such purchases. The law directly affects firearm retailers, banks, and payment processors handling these transactions in Wyoming. It mandates that all relevant financial institutions adopt this coding standard by July 1, 2023, to limit transaction data collection related to firearm purchases.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 126 creates new exemptions from barber and cosmetology licensing requirements for specific services. It exempts professionals performing "blow dry styling," "natural hair braiding," "eyelash extension application," "makeup application," and "threading" from standard licensing, as long as these services are provided for cosmetic purposes only (not medical treatment). The bill defines each exempt service clearly - like specifying blow dry styling cannot involve hair cutting or chemical treatments - and separates these from full cosmetology practice. This directly affects hair stylists, braiders, and makeup artists who can now offer these specific services without obtaining a full cosmetology or barber license.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 214 creates a "regulatory sandbox" program allowing businesses to temporarily test new products or services without complying with certain state laws or regulations. It directly affects innovators (like tech startups or new service providers) with a physical presence in Wyoming, requiring them to apply to the state council for approval. Key provisions include mandatory applications detailing consumer benefits, risks, and specific regulations sought to be waived, along with strict safeguards to protect consumer safety and ensure no federal law conflicts. The council coordinates with state agencies to approve waivers only for demonstrably safe, consumer-benefiting innovations during a limited testing period.

Maddy summaryHB 194, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible Wyoming students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover approved educational expenses. It directly affects K-12 students who are Wyoming residents and not yet graduated, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational services. The state treasurer administers the program, prohibits using local tax revenues for funding, and requires parents to sign agreements outlining permitted uses. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and was never enacted.