Rep. Landon Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's financial institution approval process to prevent customer confusion. It requires new banks or credit unions to choose names that don't closely resemble existing institutions in the same county or state. The key change adds a specific naming criterion to the approval standards, effective July 1, 2023, directly affecting applicants seeking state licensing.

Maddy summaryHB 57 updates Wyoming's legal definitions to align with federal standards for "armed forces" and "uniformed services." It explicitly includes the Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard components, and federal health service corps in these definitions across multiple state laws. This change ensures state employees who are members of uniformed services (like National Guard members or military reservists) continue to qualify for existing benefits and protections under state programs, without altering those benefits themselves. The bill focuses solely on standardizing terminology to match federal law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 122 extends temporary vehicle registration options for nonresident workers employed in the state. It allows nonresident employees to purchase a temporary permit ($50 per month, max 180 days) instead of full registration, provided their vehicle already displays valid out-of-state plates and insurance. The permit must be visibly displayed and replaces the need for standard registration fees, with collected funds going to county general funds. This directly affects nonresident workers driving vehicles registered in other states.

Maddy summaryWyoming's Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJ 7) is a symbolic resolution expressing legislative support for the relationship between Wyoming and Taiwan. It reaffirms Wyoming's commitment to strengthening economic ties, educational cooperation, and Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO. The resolution directs Wyoming's Secretary of State to send copies to U.S. officials, Wyoming's congressional delegation, Taiwan's leadership, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policy but formally states Wyoming's position.

Maddy summaryHB 275 creates a new tax on electricity used to power electric vehicles (EVs) in Wyoming, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and increases annual registration fees for all-electric vehicles while adding a new fee for plug-in hybrid vehicles. The bill directly affects EV owners and commercial charging facilities, requiring the Department of Transportation to collect these taxes and fees to fund highway maintenance. Key provisions include defining terms like "all-electric vehicle" and "electric vehicle energy," establishing reporting requirements for electricity providers, and allowing cooperative agreements with other states for tax administration. The bill does not change road usage taxes for conventional vehicles but aims to adjust funding mechanisms to account for EVs' reduced fuel tax contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 178 authorizes Wyoming's Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to host revenue-generating events (like weddings, concerts, or corporate gatherings) on specific state land parcels in Teton County, subject to approval by the Board of Land Commissioners. The bill limits each parcel to five event sites, requires temporary structures to be dismantled after use, and mandates that all event revenues be deposited into the common school account within the permanent land income fund. It appropriates $3 million for implementation, including site assessments, business planning, and securing concessionaires, with funds usable through June 2026. The law also requires the department and state lands office to develop implementing rules.

Maddy summarySF 165 creates a mental health telehealth pilot program for Wyoming public school students in grades K-12. It authorizes the Department of Education to contract with a telehealth provider to offer free counseling services starting January 1, 2024, using $250,000 in state funding. The bill requires strict confidentiality for student participation and mandates a report to legislative committees by June 2025 on program implementation. The program will end when funds are exhausted or June 30, 2027, whichever comes first. This directly affects students by providing accessible mental health support within their schools.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 64) amends a state law defining "manufacturer" for malt beverages. It specifies that certain regulations governing relationships between malt beverage distributors and manufacturers will not apply to small manufacturers producing fewer than 50,000 barrels annually. The change directly affects small craft breweries and malt beverage producers below this production threshold, exempting them from specific distributor-related rules under Wyoming law. The bill was introduced in 2022 but died in committee and never took effect.

Maddy summaryHB 167 reauthorizes Wyoming's teacher shortage loan repayment program, targeting educators in high-demand subjects like special education, math, science, world languages, reading, and English as a second language. The bill allows teachers to repay student loans without cash payments by teaching at least 50% of their time in these specific areas within Wyoming public schools, with repayment required within the loan amount's repayment period plus two years after graduation. It appropriates $500,000 from the legislative stabilization reserve for the program during fiscal 2023-2024, with up to 5% allocated for administrative costs. The program requires annual reporting to the legislature on its impact in addressing teacher shortages and funding needs.

Maddy summaryHB 72 revises Wyoming's sales tax system by applying the tax to numerous previously exempt services, including personal services (like haircuts), business services (such as computer programming), and recreational activities (like gym memberships). It removes the exemption for food purchased for home consumption (groceries), meaning these items will now be taxed at the general rate, though counties can hold elections to exempt local food sales. The bill also reduces the statewide sales tax rate from 3% to 2.5% and repeals other specific tax exemptions. The changes take effect July 1, 2023.