Sen. Larry Hicks

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Wyoming's worker's compensation rates to be no higher than the lowest third of nationwide state rates. It directly affects all employers in Wyoming by capping their premiums based on national averages, rather than state-specific rates. The state department of workforce services would determine national rates by state and adjust Wyoming's rates annually. Employers could contest their rate classification through administrative procedures if they disagree with the department's determination.

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 (SF 85) restructures how Wyoming allocates school-related funds by eliminating the "school major maintenance subaccount" within the strategic investments account and modifying revenue distribution rules. It increases the percentage of certain mineral royalty revenues (from 44.8% to 47.5%) distributed to the public school foundation program, while adjusting how federal lease bonus payments are split - allocating 40% to public schools and 10% (up to $1.6M annually) to community colleges. These changes directly affect public schools, community colleges, and the state treasurer’s handling of funds from school lands, mineral royalties, and federal leases. The bill also clarifies transfer timing between accounts like the school capital construction fund and the public school foundation program.

Maddy summarySF 170 amends Wyoming's water rights law to explicitly recognize storing water for drought contingency or interstate water compact compliance as a beneficial use. This change directly affects water rights holders (including agricultural, municipal, and industrial users) who manage stored water for drought planning or to meet obligations under interstate water agreements. The key provision adds these storage purposes to the legal definition of "beneficial use," allowing such storage to be counted under existing water rights without requiring new permits. This clarifies that water stored for these purposes qualifies as a legitimate use under Wyoming's water management system, effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summarySF 150 allows individuals with valid enhanced concealed carry permits to carry concealed firearms on public areas of Wyoming's state capitol grounds, including the connection to the Herschler building. It requires permit holders to notify the Wyoming State Highway Patrol at least 24 hours before entering the capitol with a firearm and restricts carrying to public areas only, excluding private or restricted spaces. The law would take effect on July 1, 2023, but only if Senate File 149 (a separate bill) is enacted. This bill does not change general concealed carry laws outside the capitol grounds.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill prohibits state and local governments from enforcing "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs), which are court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access to prevent harm. It blocks the use of state funds or personnel to implement ERPOs and preempts any local laws conflicting with this prohibition. Violating this ban is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine. The bill cites constitutional rights - including the Second Amendment and due process protections - as justification for its provisions.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 166 appropriates $3 million to Texas and $2 million to Arizona for constructing border walls along the U.S.-Mexico border and transporting non-citizens to sanctuary cities in other states. The bill specifies that up to $250,000 from each state's allocation may fund transportation to sanctuary cities, requiring detailed spending reports. It mandates these funds be used only for border wall construction and non-citizen transport, with all unspent funds reverting by June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects Wyoming (as the funding state), Texas and Arizona (as recipient states), and sanctuary cities receiving transported individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 260 creates the Wyoming Firearms Research Center Oversight Commission to guide the University of Wyoming's planned firearms research center. The commission, with eight members (including a legislative appointee and seven from gun-related groups, industry, law enforcement, and county attorneys), reviews the center's mission and recommends how it should focus on firearms culture and traditions in Wyoming. It also facilitates agreements between the university center and Wyoming stakeholders and advises the legislature on funding. The bill appropriates $2,500 for the legislative member's expenses and $17,500 for other members, with funds expiring June 30, 2024. The commission must meet annually but has no compensation beyond travel reimbursement.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 149 creates an "enhanced concealed carry permit" that requires applicants to show proof of recent firearm safety training (within one year), such as completion of a certified course (NRA or Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy) or active peace officer employment. This permit, available to residents 21 or older, includes specific training requirements covering firearm fundamentals, live-shooting qualification, and legal aspects of firearm use. The bill mandates that Wyoming's Attorney General notify other states by July 1, 2023, to seek reciprocity for this enhanced permit. It does not change existing concealed carry rules but aims to improve interstate recognition of Wyoming's enhanced permits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, with rulemaking required by the same date.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Wyoming's wildlife terminology by replacing "trophy game animal" with "large carnivore game animal" in statutes. It specifically designates two geographic areas (in northwest Wyoming) where gray wolves will be classified as "trophy large carnivore game animals," allowing them to be hunted under regulated conditions. The change applies after gray wolves are removed from federal endangered species protections. The bill requires the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to establish implementing rules and affects how wolves are managed for hunting in designated zones. This redefinition clarifies wildlife management jurisdiction without altering existing hunting seasons or quotas.