Sen. Ogden Driskill

Maddy summarySF 39 would have required Wyoming's legislature to approve any changes to interstate water compacts before they take effect. This bill directly affects Wyoming's state government and its water management decisions, as it would have prevented the state from binding itself to new or altered water agreements without legislative consent. Key provisions include mandating legislative approval for amendments to interstate water compacts (excluding court rulings) and requiring the Attorney General to report such actions to the legislature. The bill, introduced in 2019 but never passed, aimed to ensure state lawmakers had a formal role in major water policy decisions involving neighboring states.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 68 prohibits misrepresenting non-meat products as "meat" in labeling, advertising, or sales. It requires retailers and wholesalers to clearly label products not derived from harvested livestock or poultry as "imitation food" and foreign meat as "imported" with country of origin. The bill defines "meat" as specific edible muscle parts (excluding lips, snout, or ears) and applies to businesses selling meat or meat-like products. It became effective July 1, 2019, and mandates the Department of Agriculture to create labeling rules.

Maddy summaryHB 106 allows Wyoming voters to change their political party affiliation on election day at polling places, rather than requiring advance filings. It amends election code sections to permit voters to update their affiliation when requesting a partisan ballot, with changes recorded directly on poll lists by election judges. This applies to both primary and general elections, eliminating the previous 14- or 30-day advance filing deadlines for affiliation changes. The law took effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 117) allows University of Wyoming (UW) license plates to be issued for both passenger cars and trucks using the same distinctive number, with a symbol or letter (like "C" or "T") to differentiate vehicle types. It directly affects UW license plate holders who own both a car and a truck, enabling them to use the same plate number for both vehicles. The key provision modifies existing law to permit this shared numbering system starting July 1, 2019, while requiring the Department of Transportation to reimburse the University of Wyoming for implementation costs up to $76,200. The bill does not change the $100 fee or plate design requirements.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 148 creates a legal framework allowing the state to temporarily seize and operate federal facilities like national parks or wildlife refuges if the federal government cannot do so effectively. During seizure, the governor must maintain public access, protect natural/cultural resources, and allow concessionaires to continue operating, while charging fees to cover costs. The state must return the facility to federal control once the federal government can manage it, and repay any fees collected or profits earned. The bill also establishes a $1 million contingency fund for planning and exempts certain operational plans from public records disclosure.

2019/Summaries/HB0073.pdf

2019/Summaries/SF0116.pdf

2019/Summaries/SF0070.pdf