Sen. Dan Dockstader

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 138 requires the Wyoming Energy Authority to study the economic impact of the state's energy industry by October 1, 2025. The study must analyze energy production types, regional economic effects, annual tax contributions, employment data, payroll, and other economic benefits over five years. It also mandates the Energy Authority to seek assistance from state agencies and higher education institutions, then submit findings to specific legislative committees. This bill directly affects the Energy Authority and indirectly affects Wyoming's energy producers by requiring data collection on their economic contributions.

Maddy summarySF 151 amends Wyoming's rules for distributing monthly ad valorem taxes collected from mineral production. It requires county treasurers to distribute these taxes by the 10th day of the following month, except for taxes collected after final reconciliation. Crucially, it prohibits distributing taxes to government entities that don't levy taxes under specific statutes (W.S. 39-13-104(k)), and mandates holding such taxes until reconciliation is complete. This bill directly affects county treasurers and local governments receiving mineral tax revenue, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 61 clarifies that carbon dioxide (CO₂) is not considered pollution for the purpose of a property tax exemption. The bill amends a tax code section to explicitly exclude CO₂ from the definition of pollution that qualifies for the exemption, which applies to property used for controlling air, water, or land pollution. This change affects property owners who previously might have claimed tax exemptions for CO₂-related pollution control systems, now making those systems ineligible. The exemption remains available for other pollution control methods, and the Department of Revenue must create rules to implement the change, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement that the state reimburse charter schools for leasing facility space when the state construction department determines no adequate district facilities exist. It directly affects charter schools in Wyoming that operate outside their school district's available buildings. The change eliminates the state's obligation to cover these leasing costs, shifting that responsibility to the charter schools themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Wyoming charter schools receive funding from their school districts. It requires districts to allocate a portion of their central office nonpersonnel expenses and personnel costs to charter schools based on the charter school's average daily membership compared to the total district membership. For example, if a charter school has 10% of the district's students, it would receive 10% of those allocated district costs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects all Wyoming charter schools operating within public school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 45 removes otters from Wyoming's list of protected animals under hunting regulations. This change directly affects hunters and wildlife management by allowing regulated hunting of otters, which were previously protected. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 23-1-101(a)(ix) to delete "otter" from the definition of "protected animal," which previously included species like black-footed ferrets and lynx. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted. This is a substantive policy change altering hunting permissions, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHB 221 amends a prior Wyoming law (Chapter 105) related to bighorn and domestic sheep relocation by removing a delayed effective date tied to federal law. It sets the law to take effect on January 1, 2026, instead of requiring federal alignment, and repeals a duplicative provision. This change directly affects Wyoming's wildlife management program by establishing a fixed implementation date for the relocation rules. The bill does not alter the substance of the relocation policy but streamlines its effective date. It is a procedural adjustment to ensure the prior law takes effect without waiting for federal action.

Maddy summarySF 156 prohibits Wyoming school districts from using state foundation program funds for capital construction or major facility repairs/replacements. The bill specifically blocks these funds from covering costs for educational buildings, offices, portable classrooms, or "enhancements" (non-essential upgrades), and restricts special reserve funds from being spent on similar projects. It affects all Wyoming public school districts receiving foundation program funds, requiring them to separate these funds from capital improvement budgets. The law amends existing statutes to clarify these spending restrictions and requires districts to report compliance in annual financial reports.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 153 creates a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial vehicles that are 15 years old or older. Owners pay a one-time fee (including an $87.50 state admin fee plus three times the standard annual registration fee) to replace annual renewal, receiving permanent license plates marked "Permanent" with no expiration date. This change applies only to qualifying vehicles owned by individuals, not commercial fleets, and permanently registered vehicles cannot be transferred to new owners - new owners must pay full registration fees. The bill modifies existing registration statutes to implement this system while maintaining annual renewal requirements for all other vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 250 defines "person" in Wyoming law to mean living human beings possessing at least one biological function (e.g., heart, brain, or respiratory activity). It prohibits health care decisions harming these functions except in medical emergencies to save a pregnant woman's life or when discontinuing life-sustaining treatment with documented no chance of recovery. The bill directly affects medical providers, patients, and families making health care decisions, requiring Wyoming Board of Medicine review for certain exceptions. It excludes the Wyoming Health Care Decisions Act and takes effect July 1, 2025.