Sen. Ogden Driskill

Maddy summaryHB 113 establishes rules for electric utilities to enter special service agreements with large commercial or industrial customers using over 10 megawatts of electricity. The bill requires that such agreements must generate revenue exceeding the utility's cost to serve the customer, and must not shift related costs (like power supply or grid investments) to other ratepayers. Any profits or losses from these agreements remain with the utility company, not shared with other customers. The law applies only to agreements under tariffs approved by Wyoming's utility commission and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the third week of September as "Wyoming Cowboy Legacy Week" to honor the cultural and historical significance of cowboys and cowgirls to Wyoming. It encourages schools to incorporate lessons about cowboy/cowgirl heritage and values into their curriculum, and asks the University of Wyoming to promote these symbols. The bill has no funding or regulatory changes - it is purely a symbolic recognition to foster community reflection on these traditions.

Maddy summarySF 161 amends Wyoming's legislative management council membership rules. It specifies that two senators and two representatives are selected at large by each chamber's party caucuses, with strict limits on party representation (no more than one from the same party as the chamber's presiding officer). The bill also establishes a two-year rotation of the council chairmanship between the House and Senate and clarifies that the council directs the legislature's day-to-day operations. This procedural bill affects only the internal organization of the Wyoming Legislature, not public policy.

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 134 requires Wyoming livestock brand owners to rerecord their brand every ten years. If a brand is not rerecorded by its expiration date, owners must pay a delinquent fee (capped at $150) within three years to avoid abandonment, and may use the brand for one livestock sale before paying. The bill mandates the Livestock Board to send multiple notices to owners about rerecording deadlines and abandonment timelines, including a notice at least six months before declaring a brand abandoned. This directly affects ranchers and livestock owners who register brands for their animals.

Maddy summaryHB 253 exempts small water systems from public utility regulation by Wyoming's Public Service Commission. It applies specifically to metered water sales by providers with fewer than 15 potential connections that aren’t owned by larger utilities, aren’t part of a subdivision’s water system, and aren’t located within municipal service areas. This removes regulatory oversight for these small-scale operations, such as rural homeowners or small community providers. The exemption became effective July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 307 requires a study to develop a process for state and local governments to recover infrastructure costs (such as roads, water, and sewage systems) when power plants are decommissioned earlier than planned. The industrial siting division and council must review how to let governments recoup these expenses from utilities, consulting with local entities about impacts on communities and infrastructure. A report on the study is due by September 1, 2019, to a legislative committee that may propose new laws in 2020 to address cost recovery. The bill also allocates $25,000 for public hearings and committee meetings related to the study.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 65 amends Wyoming's procurement rules to require school districts to follow the same competitive bidding processes as other public entities for professional services. It raises the threshold for mandatory competitive bidding from $25,000 to $50,000 for professional services like architecture or engineering, meaning school districts must now obtain bids for projects over this amount instead of $25,000. The bill also updates notification requirements for larger projects and clarifies when school boards must interview multiple firms for contracts. These changes directly affect school districts and public entities purchasing professional services, streamlining procurement for larger projects while maintaining competitive processes for significant contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 210 increases Wyoming's Collection Agency Board from three to five members, requiring four governor-appointed members and the state banking commissioner to serve ex officio. The bill specifies detailed qualifications: one appointed attorney actively in collection work, two appointed representatives from licensed collection agencies (not attorneys), and one public member with credit service experience. Board members receive compensation from license fees paid by collection agencies, and appointments require five years of Wyoming residency or relevant industry experience. This bill modifies board composition and operations without changing how collection agencies are regulated.