Sen. Ogden Driskill

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would limit annual spending from Wyoming's "rainy day" fund (the legislative stabilization reserve account) to 25% of its balance at the start of each budget period. It requires a three-fourths vote in both legislative chambers to exceed this limit during a fiscal emergency. The fund currently holds approximately $2 billion. If approved by voters, this would establish clear spending rules for the state's budget stabilization fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 104) sets annual limits on property tax mill levies for Wyoming school districts, counties, and cities/towns based on inflation adjustments. It requires that tax rates for schools (max 25 mills), counties (max 12 mills), and municipalities (max 8 mills) be adjusted each year to match the previous year's revenue when adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The bill would directly affect local governments and property owners by preventing tax increases that exceed inflation. It would take effect January 1, 2024, if enacted.

Maddy summarySF 105 requires public utilities in Wyoming to have a written customer allocation agreement with both utilities before providing service to a customer located within another utility's designated service territory. This directly affects utilities that might otherwise serve customers in areas legally assigned to another provider, such as when a customer's point of delivery is outside one utility's territory but consumption occurs within it. The bill allows the affected utility to sue for damages, lost income, and legal fees if this rule is violated. It became effective July 1, 2023, and aims to clarify service territory boundaries for utilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Wyoming calculates the maximum duration of unemployment benefits. It bases the maximum benefit period (ranging from 12 to 23 weeks) on the state's average unemployment rate: 12 weeks if the rate is 5% or lower, plus one additional week for every 0.5% above 5%, capped at 23 weeks if the rate reaches 10.5% or higher. The change applies only to unemployment claims filed on or after July 1, 2023. It directly affects Wyoming residents who qualify for unemployment insurance by adjusting how long they can receive benefits based on statewide job market conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires property owners in Wyoming to mark gates and access points with at least 50 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink paint to legally prohibit trespassing. It directly affects landowners (especially those with property along public roads), recreational users like hunters and anglers, and state agencies. The bill specifies that metal fence posts must be fully painted above ground, exempts public road entrances, and mandates the Game and Fish Commission and State Parks Department to include trespassing notice rules in permit materials and develop signs for public road entries. This standardizes property marking to clarify boundaries and reduce accidental trespassing on private land.

Maddy summaryHB 131 creates a legislative task force to study Wyoming's state lands and investment systems. The task force, composed of 7 legislative members and 3 governor-appointed members, will examine the structure and duties of the state loan and investment board and the office of state lands and investments, including grant programs, land leases, and fund management. It must identify governance issues and recommend potential changes to the legislature by 2025. The bill appropriates $50,000 for legislative members' travel and $25,000 for governor-appointed members' expenses, with the task force terminating January 1, 2025. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the process for mineral producers to pay monthly ad valorem taxes (taxes based on the value of minerals produced) in Wyoming. It specifies that producers must report production by the 25th of the second month after production and pay taxes by the 25th of the third month, with payments calculated using the previous year's county mill levy rate. Funds collected are distributed monthly by the state department to county treasurers, who then allocate them to local taxing entities based on the production year. The changes take effect July 1, 2023, and apply to all mineral and mine producers in the state.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 271 creates a dedicated endowment fund for the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture (specifically its life sciences and natural resources programs). The bill requires all annual investment earnings from this fund to be fully distributed to the college for direct use on approved agricultural programs, including academic courses supporting Wyoming's farming/ranching industry, extension services, the state veterinary lab, agricultural research, equipment, and faculty recruitment. It mandates detailed annual reporting to state committees on exactly how funds are spent, broken down by program type and faculty positions funded. This endowment directly affects the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and its ability to support Wyoming's agricultural sector through targeted funding.

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.