Sen. Dan Dockstader

Maddy summaryHB 136 allows volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and search/rescue personnel in Wyoming to join the state employees' group health insurance plan without being disqualified due to participation in government health programs - except for the Affordable Care Act marketplace. It permits first responder departments to contribute toward volunteers' insurance premiums and requires volunteers to submit annual proof of their active status to their department. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and modifies existing rules to streamline enrollment and ongoing eligibility for these volunteers.

Maddy summarySF 152 creates a Wildfire Management Task Force to study wildfire impacts on state lands, local fire agencies, and communities. The task force, including legislative members, state officials, and industry representatives, must report by October 2025 with recommendations for future legislation. The bill also updates the state forester’s duties to include managing fire control programs on state lands, pre-positioning resources during high-risk periods, and setting standards for privately contracted fire services. It appropriates $50,000 total ($25,000 each for legislative and non-legislative members) to fund the task force, which will operate until December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 192 requires Wyoming electric utilities (excluding city or town-owned systems) to create and submit detailed wildfire mitigation plans to the Public Service Commission. These plans must cover risk areas, infrastructure inspections, vegetation management, facility upgrades, de-energization procedures, community outreach, and cost estimates for regulated utilities. The Commission must review and approve plans within 120 days, and utilities must update plans every five years with annual compliance reports. The bill also allows regulated utilities to seek cost recovery for approved mitigation measures, though plan approval does not automatically grant this right.

Maddy summaryHB 64 requires healthcare providers to offer an ultrasound to women seeking a chemical abortion (using drugs) at least 48 hours before dispensing the medication. The ultrasound must show the fetus and, if audible, the heartbeat, and providers must document details like the date, physician, and fetal age. Before providing the abortion drugs, the physician or pharmacist must verify the ultrasound occurred. The law excludes exceptions for life-saving care, ectopic pregnancy, or medical treatments where the fetus may be harmed, and penalties for non-compliance apply only to providers (not patients). This directly affects women seeking medication abortions and the healthcare facilities providing them in Wyoming.

Maddy summarySF 132 prohibits operating drones over critical infrastructure (including power plants, water facilities, hospitals, prisons, and military sites) for intentional photography, loitering, or criminal activity. Exceptions allow federal-authorized drone use, government operations, infrastructure owners, model aircraft in parks, and emergency services like police or disaster response teams. Violations face misdemeanor penalties ($2,500 fine or 6 months jail) for first offenses, escalating to felony charges ($5,000 fine or 2 years jail) for repeat violations. Law enforcement may disable violating drones, and the Wyoming National Guard can assist with enforcement, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a property tax exemption for surviving parents of veterans who died while serving honorably in a war, conflict, or specified period (a "gold star veteran"), if there is no surviving spouse. To qualify, surviving parents must be Wyoming residents for at least three years and file a sworn claim with their county assessor by the fourth Monday in May, covering property they own or hold in a trust for their benefit. Divorced parents living separately may each claim the exemption in their respective counties. The Department of Revenue must create implementing rules, and the exemption takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 145) allows Wyoming local governments - such as cities, counties, and special districts - to invest public funds in stocks (equities) for the first time. It creates a new investment category under existing law, requiring these investments to follow state investment policies set by the State Loan and Investment Board. Local governments may also form advisory boards for investment guidance, but these stock investments are exempt from certain prior restrictions. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, after the state board adopts necessary policies.

Maddy summarySF 136 would create a 25% property tax exemption on the first $2 million of value for single-family homes, including houses, mobile homes, townhouses, and condos. It directly affects homeowners with properties valued under $2 million and requires counties to track revenue losses from the exemption. The state would reimburse counties and local governments (like school districts) for lost tax revenue using $125 million from the general fund, with a $100 million cap from the legislative stabilization reserve if needed. The exemption would expire on July 1, 2027, and apply first to 2025 tax bills.

Maddy summarySF 140 would require any Wyoming resident born on or after January 1, 2000, to complete a trapping education course and hold a certificate to trap wildlife on non-family land. Exceptions allow individuals to trap under a qualified mentor’s supervision (a person with a certificate, hunting license, and age of majority) for up to one year. The bill updates trapping licensing rules and directs the Game and Fish Commission to create implementing rules by January 2026. This bill is currently inactive after dying in committee in March 2025 and has not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how property taxes are calculated for personal property and structures attached to land in Wyoming. It revises the definition of "fair market value" to require valuation based on "replacement cost new less depreciation" for these property types, instead of previous methods. This directly affects property owners whose taxes are assessed using this valuation standard, particularly for items like equipment, vehicles, and buildings. The Department of Revenue must adopt implementing rules by January 1, 2026, with the new valuation method taking effect on that date.