Sen. Ogden Driskill

Maddy summaryHB 220 creates a new income tax on businesses operating in Wyoming, requiring them to pay tax based on their income earned within the state. It uses a three-factor formula (property, payroll, and sales) to calculate how much tax a business owes, especially for companies operating across multiple states. The Wyoming Department of Revenue will administer the tax, with strict confidentiality rules protecting business tax returns. This bill directly affects businesses with operations in Wyoming, including out-of-state companies conducting business there.

Maddy summaryHB 52 requires state agencies and political subdivisions in Wyoming to procure furniture and movable equipment for capital construction projects through competitive bidding. It prioritizes products available from Wyoming resident suppliers when possible, or uses performance-based specifications if local products aren't available. Agencies may seek waivers for highly specialized items, but these require written justification and approval by designated officials. The law applies to all such procurements starting July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill exempts sales and use taxes on equipment used to build broadband internet infrastructure in unserved areas. It applies to telecom providers, internet access companies, and video programming services constructing networks where high-speed internet isn't currently available (defined as 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload for residential areas). The exemption covers infrastructure equipment like routers and cables but excludes items sold directly to end-users. Providers may use reasonable methods to allocate equipment costs across service regions instead of tracking exact geographic locations.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 82 establishes a legal framework for "do not resuscitate" (DNR) directives, allowing any adult with medical decision-making capacity to formally request no CPR in end-of-life situations. The bill enables individuals to have a DNR designation visibly marked on their Wyoming driver's license or ID card, alongside standardized medical bracelets or signed directives. It specifies that DNR orders apply to medical care except in cases of trauma (like car crashes), and protects emergency responders and healthcare providers who follow valid DNR directives in good faith. The law also creates standardized forms for creating, revoking, and removing DNR designations from licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses with retail liquor licenses in Wyoming to purchase alcohol directly from other retail liquor licensees for resale, up to a maximum of nine liters per day. It affects retail liquor stores that want to buy alcohol from other retail locations (instead of only from the state-run division) to resell. The key requirement is that sellers must record each purchase with the buyer's name, signature, date, and time, and keep these records for one year for potential state inspection. The law took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 85, the Medicaid Fraud Control Act, creates a dedicated fraud unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse. The unit gains full access to all Medicaid records held by providers (such as hospitals and clinics) and can prosecute individuals who submit false claims or conceal material facts. It establishes criminal penalties: misdemeanor fines up to $750 or 6 months in jail for claims under $1,000, and felony penalties up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fines for claims $1,000 or more. Providers must certify the accuracy of all Medicaid applications, reports, and invoices under penalty of perjury. This directly affects Medicaid providers, the Attorney General's office, and anyone submitting Medicaid claims.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution expresses Wyoming's support for private companies developing coal-to-carbon products, such as graphene, construction materials, and advanced fibers. It encourages continued investment in this industry to create manufacturing and research jobs across various skill levels. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with federal officials and local governments but does not create new laws or funding. It formally recognizes private sector investment in coal-to-carbon R&D as a key economic opportunity for Wyoming.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 125 classifies digital assets (like cryptocurrencies and digital tokens) as property under state law, directly affecting residents, banks, and courts. It defines three categories: digital consumer assets (personal use), digital securities (investment-based), and virtual currency (used as money), each treated as property under specific sections of the Uniform Commercial Code. The bill establishes rules for banks to offer custodial services for digital assets and allows security interests (like loans using digital assets as collateral) through "control" mechanisms, such as private keys or smart contracts. This creates a legal framework for handling digital assets in transactions, disputes, and banking services within Wyoming.

Maddy summarySF 72 requires Wyoming criminal justice agencies to report on sexual assault biological evidence (like DNA samples) collected during investigations, starting January 1, 2020. Agencies must report evidence submission status, lab details, and reasons for non-submission, while protecting victim identities. The bill also changes who pays for medical examinations related to sexual assaults (first victim services, then law enforcement if funds run out) and prohibits destroying evidence until all legal time limits expire. These provisions affect law enforcement, crime labs, and victim services, aiming to improve evidence tracking and transparency.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 145 requires hunters and anglers to purchase a $6 annual recreation permit to access state trust lands (lands held for public schools and institutions). The permit fee distributes $4 to land beneficiaries (schools/institutions) and $2 to the game and fish commission for access programs. Exceptions include children under 12 with permit holders, public road travel, and state employees on duty. Violating the permit requirement is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $200 or up to one week in jail. The law mandates an agreement between the game commission and land board by November 2019 to implement the fee system.