Sen. Larry Hicks

Maddy summaryHB 203 repeals two reserve accounts for Wyoming's Permanent Mineral Trust Fund (PMTF) and Common School Permanent Fund (CSPLF), eliminating their specific spending policies. It transfers funds previously held in these accounts to other designated state funds, simplifying the management of public funds. The bill removes outdated provisions related to these reserve structures and updates fund distribution rules. This change directly affects how Wyoming allocates excess investment earnings from these permanent funds.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 145 modifies state budgeting rules to strengthen fiscal stability. It creates new protections for reserve accounts, requiring them to maintain larger balances and making their balances "inviolable" (protected from use). The bill sets a $60 million cap on temporary interfund loans between state funds and adds requirements for certifications before investing reserves. It also changes how funds are withheld from local governments that fail to file required reports and mandates a 5% holdback from community mental health program contracts until performance agreements are signed. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and service providers receiving state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 60 proposes creating the Colorado River Authority of Wyoming within the state engineer's office to manage the state's water resources in the Colorado River system. The authority, composed of nine members (including basin-specific county appointees, the state engineer, and a gubernatorial appointee), will develop management plans to protect Wyoming's water rights under existing compacts. It can establish advisory councils and provide input to the river commissioner, who will coordinate with the authority. The bill does not alter existing water rights or the state engineer's role, and the authority will meet annually with a five-member quorum required for decisions. This is a procedural bill establishing new governance, not yet considered by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 205 prohibits K-12 public school educators and state employees from using public funds to teach or require training on specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or national origin. It bans instruction claiming any group is inherently superior/inferior, that individuals should be discriminated against based on identity, or that people are inherently racist due to their background. Exceptions allow teaching historical oppression or using primary sources in approved curricula. Violations may trigger civil penalties up to $5,000 per incident, private lawsuits for damages, or disciplinary action against educators. The bill is pending in Wyoming's legislature (introduced January 2023, not yet considered for debate).

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 103) adds a sales tax exemption for current Wyoming state legislators purchasing lodging services while acting in their official capacity. It amends Wyoming tax law to exempt these specific lodging purchases from the state sales tax. The exemption applies only to legislators using lodging for official duties, not personal travel. The change took effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThe Second Amendment Protection Act prohibits Wyoming state and local officials from using state funds or personnel to enforce any federal gun regulations that conflict with the Second Amendment. It specifically bans state resources from being used to carry out federal laws, rules, or regulations that the state deems to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms. Public servants who violate this prohibition face penalties under existing state law. The bill took effect on July 1, 2022, and applies directly to Wyoming's government entities and officials.

Maddy summaryHB 72 allows unsuccessful hunting license applicants in Wyoming to choose whether to donate a portion of their refund to specific wildlife funds. Applicants can elect at the time of application to have their refund deposited into either the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Income Account or the Game and Fish Access Account. The bill requires the department to provide this option on the application form and specifies that administrative costs for these donations will be covered by the trust account. This policy change directly affects hunters who apply for licenses but do not receive them, offering them a voluntary contribution mechanism for conservation funding. The bill became effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryHB 92 would ban most abortions in Wyoming, allowing them only when necessary to prevent a serious risk of death or permanent injury to the mother (excluding psychological conditions). The law would take effect five days after Wyoming's Attorney General certifies that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a way that allows this ban to be enforced - specifically, after the Court overruled *Roe v. Wade* or issued a final decision enabling such restrictions. It also prohibits using state funds for abortions except under the same limited circumstances. The bill remains inactive until the Attorney General's certification, with no immediate effect.

Maddy summaryHB 107 amends Wyoming's water pollution control and drinking water revolving loan accounts to adjust funding sources and reimbursement rules. It specifies that state matching funds for federal loans can now come from the corrective action account, mineral royalty capital construction account, or water development accounts, with required reimbursement from program funds. The bill authorizes the state loan board to make grants and set-asides, and clarifies how funds flow between accounts. These changes directly affect state agencies managing water infrastructure financing, such as the Department of Environmental Quality, but do not alter project eligibility or funding amounts for municipalities. The bill focuses on procedural adjustments to existing revolving loan programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the December 31, 2022 expiration date for certifications allowing businesses to operate greater sage grouse game bird farms in Wyoming. It directly affects owners of these farms by making their certifications permanent, eliminating the need for renewal. The bill maintains existing rules requiring forfeiting birds if certification is revoked and prohibits reimbursement claims for birds held at expiration (which no longer occurs under this change). The policy change became effective July 1, 2022.