Sen. Dan Dockstader

Maddy summaryHB 204 increases fees for nonresident fishing licenses in Wyoming. It raises the annual license from $100 to $110, the daily license from $12 to $14, and the five-day license from $54 to $60. These changes directly affect out-of-state anglers who purchase fishing licenses in Wyoming. The fee increases will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 128) removes the sales tax on electricity sold by public utilities for domestic, industrial, or commercial use in Wyoming. It directly affects all electricity consumers, including households and businesses, by eliminating a tax they currently pay on their electricity bills. The key mechanism is amending Wyoming’s tax code (W.S. 39-15-103 and 39-15-105) to create a specific exemption for electricity sales. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 197 limits fees that local governments can charge developers to fund affordable or workforce housing. It caps these fees at 4% of construction costs (or less based on impact studies), exempts the first 3,000 square feet of single-family homes and 1,750 square feet of multi-family units, and prohibits fees for agricultural land subdivisions. Developers must receive written fee notices within 30 days and can request a detailed, individualized explanation of the fee calculation from local authorities. The law applies to all cities, towns, and counties issuing land use permits for residential or commercial projects.

Maddy summaryHB 186 requires Wyoming's Game and Fish Commission to issue "bear coupons" with certain resident elk hunting licenses, allowing the holder to harvest one brown or black bear (not grizzly) in areas where elk hunting is permitted. The bill mandates the Commission to provide evidence of grizzly bear population recovery to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by July 1, 2025, to support delisting grizzlies from the endangered species list. It prohibits taking grizzly bears within the Yellowstone recovery zone and specifies that bear coupons do not require additional fees or count toward hunting license limits. The law takes effect upon delisting confirmation or January 1, 2026, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryHB 44 designates a 3.5-mile stretch of State Highway 230 between Highway 130 and Riverside, Wyoming, as the "Loren 'Teense' Willford Memorial Highway." The bill authorizes the Wyoming Department of Transportation to install appropriate signage identifying the memorial highway and appropriates $3,000 from the general fund for this purpose, with funds expiring June 30, 2026. This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or regulations. The bill requires no voting record analysis as it is purely a naming resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 261 amends Wyoming's penalties for "accessory after the fact" (helping a criminal after a crime is committed). It creates three penalty tiers: 1) For non-violent felonies where the accessory is not a relative (3 years max jail or $3,000 fine), 2) For violent felonies (same as above), 3) For non-violent felonies when the accessory is a relative or the principal is a minor (6 months max jail or $750 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who assist criminals post-crime, with lighter penalties for family members or minors involved. It is pending legislative action and would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 319 exempts sales and use tax on mining equipment used in surface, underground, or in-situ mining operations in Wyoming. It directly affects mining companies purchasing qualifying equipment, such as machinery and tools for extraction. The bill creates new tax exemptions in Wyoming’s tax code (sections 39-15-105 and 39-16-105) with a sunset clause repealing the exemption on July 1, 2029. The exemption becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies only to equipment specifically defined for mining operations.

Maddy summaryHB 287 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully use self-defense in criminal cases and are found not guilty, have charges dismissed, or are released from prosecution. It also mandates courts to automatically expunge all related criminal records in these cases, removing arrest and prosecution history from public records. The bill directly affects people facing criminal charges who defend themselves, streamlining access to reimbursement and record removal through simplified court petitions with no filing fees.

Maddy summarySF 99 prohibits physicians and health care providers in Wyoming from performing specific medical procedures related to gender transition for children under 18. This includes surgeries like sterilization (e.g., hysterectomy, orchiectomy), mastectomies, puberty-blocking drugs, and hormone therapies that induce infertility. Exceptions apply for medically verified conditions, such as disorders of sex development or central precocious puberty, with parental consent. Violations could lead to suspension or revocation of a provider’s license, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summarySF 86 creates a dedicated "firearms on school property account" to reimburse Wyoming school districts for specific safety-related costs. It authorizes $100,000 from the school foundation program to cover expenses like staff training (per W.S. 21-3-132) and implementing district security rules. School districts must apply within one year of incurring costs, submitting receipts and training documentation to receive reimbursement. Unspent funds roll over annually, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2024.