Sen. John Kolb

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from Wyoming's tourism reserve fund to support the development of a rodeo and cowboy museum and hall of fame in Wyoming. The funds will be distributed in three installments of $5 million each on July 1, 2026, 2027, and 2028, contingent on the Wyoming Tourism Board certifying that relocation efforts will boost tourism, jobs, and state revenue. Applicants must provide matching funds (at least $1 for every $1 granted) and relocate to Wyoming by June 30, 2028, or repay the grant. The Wyoming Office of Tourism must report annually on fund usage until 2036.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming cities, towns, and counties from imposing fees, conditions, or concessions related to workforce housing, unmet housing needs, or affordable housing on new residential or commercial development projects. It applies to all permit applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026, and does not affect existing contracts or obligations for projects approved before that date. The law creates new state code sections (15-1-612 for municipalities and 18-5-209 for counties) to enforce this prohibition, directly affecting local governments and developers by removing potential requirements for affordable housing projects.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SJ 5 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically asks for a convention limited to proposing amendments that impose spending limits on the federal government, restrict federal power over states, and limit terms for federal officials and Congress members. The resolution includes specific safeguards, such as requiring two-thirds of states to agree on the same purpose before Congress acts, ensuring states vote equally, and prohibiting consideration of any changes to the Bill of Rights. This request directly affects Wyoming's legislative action and the broader process for amending the Constitution, though it does not create new law itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a select committee on gaming within the Wyoming legislature to study gaming-related issues. The committee, composed of six legislators (three appointed by the Senate president and three by the House speaker, balanced by party representation), will examine gaming regulations, community impacts, and fiscal matters like taxes and revenue. It will gather input from local governments and stakeholders on topics including responsible gaming and problem gambling. The bill appropriates $34,000 for the committee's operations through June 2028, with the goal of producing recommendations for potential future legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 95 allows individuals legally carrying concealed weapons without a permit under Wyoming law to do so at public colleges and universities, with one exception: they cannot carry during athletic events where alcoholic beverages are sold. The bill amends Wyoming's concealed carry statute to explicitly include college/university facilities as permitted locations, removing prior restrictions. It directly affects permitless concealed carry holders who are already authorized to carry under existing law (specifically W.S. 6-8-104(a)(ii)-(iv)). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change rules for campus employees or volunteers, who remain subject to separate school district regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill reconstitutes Wyoming's Office of Homeland Security as the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security, effective July 1, 2026. It transfers all assets, unexpended funds, staff positions, and duties from the governor's office to the new department, while preserving existing contracts and obligations. The department must report the transfer to the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee by October 1, 2026. This structural change affects state government operations by centralizing homeland security under a dedicated department rather than the governor's office, with no immediate impact on public services or funding levels.

Maddy summarySF 92 creates Wyoming's False Claims Act, allowing the state to sue individuals or entities that knowingly submit false claims for payment. It imposes penalties of three times the state's damages plus $5,500-$11,000 per false claim, affecting contractors, grantees, and state employees who submit inaccurate claims or fail to repay overpayments. The law includes reduced penalties if the person reports violations within 30 days and fully cooperates with investigations. It defines key terms like "knowingly" and "false claim" to clarify when penalties apply.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 87 creates a new felony offense for intentionally causing bodily injury to a police officer while the officer is performing lawful duties. This amendment specifically targets individuals who assault officers during the course of their work, making such acts punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill directly affects people who physically harm officers in the line of duty, strengthening penalties for this specific conduct. It amends existing law (W.S. 6-5-204(b)) to clarify that causing bodily injury during officer engagement constitutes a felony. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution encourages Wyoming's Law Enforcement Memorial Committee to add Patrolman Michael A. Rosa's name to the Wyoming Law Enforcement Fallen Officer Memorial at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy in Douglas. Rosa, a Rock Springs police officer killed in 1978 while working undercover, was not included on the state memorial despite meeting national memorial criteria (his name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the Officer Down Memorial Page). The resolution requests the committee rectify this omission before the next memorial service. It is a commemorative measure with no policy changes, formally recognizing Rosa's sacrifice.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires three-judge panels to handle cases challenging the constitutionality of Wyoming state laws or session laws. When a party seeks an injunction against a law's enforcement, the district court clerk must notify the state court administrator, who then randomly selects two judges from other districts to join the local judge on a panel. Individual judges may no longer issue permanent injunctions blocking state laws in these cases - only temporary orders for up to 30 days while the panel reviews the challenge. All decisions by these panels are appealable directly to the Wyoming Supreme Court.