Sen. Ogden Driskill

Maddy summaryHB 296 requires Wyoming's Legislature to study and fix how legislative districts are drawn to comply with the state constitution and federal law. It mandates that a committee study apportionment during the 2025 interim, gather public input, and report by December 2025, ensuring districts follow county lines and include at least one senator and representative per county as required by Wyoming Constitution Article 3, Sections 3 and 48. The bill addresses long-standing violations where districts since 1992 ignored county boundaries and failed to guarantee minimum representation per county, which also conflicts with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This process will lead to proposed legislation for constitutional redistricting during the 2026 budget session.

Maddy summaryHB 251 creates a new misdemeanor crime for operating a drone below 200 feet over someone else's private property without permission. The bill specifically targets drones weighing 55 pounds or less (including attached items) and prohibits unauthorized flights over private land or residences. Violators face up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both. This law directly affects drone operators who fly near homes or private property without the landowner's consent, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 225 allows people attending Wyoming legislative meetings to park on streets without time limits during official sessions. It specifically prohibits local ordinances from restricting parking duration: (1) within the Capitol complex during active legislative or committee meetings, and (2) within one-half mile of any official meeting location during those sessions. The law applies to all attendees, including the public and legislators, and takes effect July 1, 2025. This bill directly modifies parking regulations to accommodate meeting attendance without imposing time restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises Wyoming's net metering rules to distinguish between existing and new small solar/wind energy systems. It requires utilities to compensate *new* small customer-generators (systems operational after January 1, 2026) under a compensation system established by the Public Service Commission, while preserving current rules for *existing* systems (operational before December 31, 2025). Cooperatives must adopt new rates for new generators by January 1, 2026, and file them with the Commission. The bill also changes annual credit rollovers, requiring unused credits to be sold to utilities at their avoided cost rate. These changes directly affect residential and small business energy producers installing new systems after 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 315 requires Wyoming to transfer all responsibilities of the state board of education and the state board of career and technical education to the state superintendent of public instruction by July 1, 2026. The bill mandates the superintendent to create a reorganization plan by July 2025, detailing how functions will be transferred, personnel and resources moved, and necessary legal changes. The plan requires legislative approval before implementation, while current board operations continue until the transfer date. This reorganization directly affects state education governance structures and administrative oversight of K-12 and career/technical programs.

Maddy summaryHB 198 modifies Wyoming's education savings account program by adjusting annual deposit amounts based on household income relative to federal poverty levels. It provides $6,000 annually for students in households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, $4,800 for households between 151-200%, and $3,600 for households between 201-250%. The bill directly affects students whose families qualify under these income thresholds, determining the funds available for educational expenses through the state's savings account program. The changes would take effect January 1, 2025, if enacted, modifying existing law established by 2024 legislation. The bill is currently in early stages (received for introduction on January 16, 2025) and has not yet been considered by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 57 prohibits Wyoming counties and municipalities from banning or restricting fireworks use or possession between noon and midnight on July 4, except during an open fire ban. It also explicitly allows fireworks in state parks, campgrounds, and similar public areas during that same time window, unless an open fire ban is active. The bill amends existing state laws to remove local restrictions specifically for July 4, while maintaining other fireworks regulations outside this timeframe. It does not alter rules for fireworks displays outside July 4 or for other public safety concerns.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HJ 5 is a symbolic joint resolution opposing China's misrepresentation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. It states that Resolution 2758 does not endorse China's "One China Principle" or justify denying Taiwan meaningful participation in UN agencies like the WHO or ICAO. The resolution urges the UN to stop using Resolution 2758 to exclude Taiwan and reaffirms Wyoming's support for the U.S. "One China Policy" (which does not recognize China's claim over Taiwan). This resolution has no legal effect but expresses Wyoming's position on Taiwan's UN participation.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 125 requires criminal background checks for specific individuals involved in horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering operations. It mandates that roles like jockeys, mutuel managers, grooms, farriers, stable employees, and others with access to restricted areas or animal facilities must undergo fingerprint-based background checks through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. The bill specifies these checks are required for permittees, employees, volunteers, and contractors before they can participate in events. It does not change betting rules or revenue structures but adds personnel vetting as a regulatory requirement for safety and integrity. The law applies directly to all entities operating pari-mutuel events in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Wyoming's property tax exemption for veterans from $3,000 to $6,000 annually on assessed property value. It directly affects veterans who own property in Wyoming by reducing their annual property tax burden. The state appropriates $8.2 million from the general fund to reimburse counties for the increased exemption cost, with funds expiring June 30, 2027. The change applies to property taxes assessed on or after January 1, 2025.