Sen. John Kolb

Maddy summaryHB 107 requires Wyoming's Department of Transportation to downgrade a commercial driver's license (CDL) if a driver fails to provide a current federal medical certificate within 60 days after it expires. The bill mandates that the department must reinstate the CDL without requiring the driver to retake knowledge or driving tests once they provide a valid medical certificate before the original CDL's expiration date. This applies directly to commercial drivers who temporarily lack medical certification. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, and requires the department to create necessary implementing rules.

Maddy summaryHB 178, the Wyoming Religious Freedom Restoration Act, would prevent state government from restricting religious practices unless it proves the restriction is necessary for a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive option. It applies to individuals, businesses, and religious groups whose religious exercise is burdened by government actions like denying permits, benefits, or access to facilities. Those affected could sue in court to challenge such restrictions. The bill explicitly states it does not override laws protecting public health, safety, or order.

Maddy summaryHB 117 would require bond election proposals held outside general elections to meet two conditions: a majority of votes cast must support the bonds, and at least 51% of voters from the most recent general election must participate. This applies only to local bond votes not held on the same day as general elections, directly affecting cities, counties, and school districts seeking to issue bonds. If turnout falls below 51%, the proposal cannot be resubmitted for at least 12 months. The bill, effective July 1, 2024, aims to ensure broader voter engagement in bond decisions. It does not affect bond elections held on general election days or those already completed before its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 95 requires healthcare providers to submit insurance claims directly to insurers instead of shifting this responsibility to patients. It prohibits providers from including terms in patient agreements that force patients to handle claim submissions. If a provider fails to submit a claim properly, they bear the risk of nonpayment and cannot blame the patient. The law applies to all provider-patient agreements for insurance claims starting July 1, 2024. This changes the process for claim handling under Wyoming's insurance code.

Maddy summaryHB 100 creates Wyoming's Critical Resilient Infrastructure Board to strengthen the state's critical systems - including water, power, transportation, and telecom - against extended outages (e.g., grid-down events from cyberattacks or disasters). The board, led by the Homeland Security director and including utility, energy, and telecom representatives, will align state efforts with federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Key provisions require hardening infrastructure to prevent long-term power failures, ensure water/wastewater systems remain functional during outages, and leverage federal funding and defense technology for resilience. The bill directly affects public utilities, energy providers, and state infrastructure operations by mandating specific resilience planning and federal collaboration.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HJ 6 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose constitutional amendments. The convention would be limited to addressing federal fiscal issues (like debt and spending), restricting federal power over states, and setting term limits for federal officials and Congress. The resolution includes specific safeguards, such as requiring two-thirds of states to agree on the same purpose before Congress acts, ensuring states vote one state, one vote, and explicitly excluding any changes to the Bill of Rights. This resolution serves as Wyoming's continuing application until two-thirds of states support identical proposals.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 91 continues a regulatory reduction task force established in 2023 through 2025. The task force includes 12 members: six legislators (three from each chamber, with co-chairs), three industry representatives (oil/gas, mining, agriculture), one business advocate, one local government representative, and one building industry member, plus nonvoting government agency staff. It requires annual reports by October 1st to the governor and legislature, identifying regulatory burden reductions for Wyoming industries and proposing legislative changes. The bill provides $55,000 in funding for task force operations through June 2026 and terminates the task force on December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Wyoming's temporary tax exemption for electricity produced from wind energy, ending a moratorium that previously exempted wind power from a production tax. Starting July 1, 2024, all wind-generated electricity in Wyoming - including power produced before the repeal that qualified for the old exemption - will be subject to the tax. The bill directly affects wind energy producers by requiring them to pay the tax on their electricity output. It makes no changes to existing tax rates but removes the specific exemption that had applied to wind energy since 2020. (Note: The bill failed to advance in the legislature on February 16, 2024.)

Maddy summaryHB 179 clarifies that state park superintendents, assistant superintendents, and full-time park rangers at Wyoming state parks, recreation areas, archaeological sites, and historic sites qualify as peace officers when acting within their assigned sites or assisting other peace officers. The bill amends existing definitions in Wyoming law to explicitly include these staff members under "peace officer" status, granting them the same legal authority as other peace officers within their jurisdiction. This change specifically affects park personnel who enforce laws and respond to incidents on state-managed lands. The bill was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2024, but failed committee review in February 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SJ 4 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments focused on fiscal restraint, limiting federal power, and setting term limits for federal officials. The resolution specifies that the convention must not consider changes to the Bill of Rights and must operate with each state having one vote. The bill failed to pass during introduction in the Wyoming Senate on February 15, 2024, with 17 votes in favor and 14 against. This procedural resolution does not directly change laws but seeks to initiate a state-driven process for potential constitutional amendments.