Sen. Dan Dockstader

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming to issue separate hunting licenses and establish distinct hunting seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. It directly affects hunters of both species, including residents and nonresidents who purchase licenses, by mandating separate management under state wildlife regulations. The key mechanism involves amending existing laws to create new rules for license issuance, season scheduling, and preference point systems specific to each deer type. This change aims to improve wildlife management by allowing targeted conservation efforts for each species, without altering license fees or quotas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 110) eliminates a sunset date for Wyoming school districts to hold cash reserves at 30% of their foundation program funding - previously limited to 2026. It directly affects all Wyoming public school districts by permanently allowing them to maintain higher operating balances without returning excess funds to the state. The key mechanism adjusts how districts calculate excess reserves: any balance exceeding 30% must be separately reported and cannot fund capital construction (though major facility repairs are exempt). The change takes effect July 1, 2024, making the 30% reserve threshold permanent instead of temporary.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 121 establishes a property tax exemption for primary residences, allowing homeowners to exclude up to $300,000 of their home's value from annual property taxes. To qualify, residents must have lived in Wyoming for at least five years and resided in the home for nine months of the prior tax year, and must submit an annual sworn claim by May 4th. The exemption applies to single-family homes only, with no more than one exemption per property per year, and includes penalties for false claims. Funding for the exemption will come from the state's legislative stabilization account, with counties reporting impacts to the state department of revenue. The bill takes effect January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes in Wyoming, directly affecting homeowners of such properties. The exemption equals the increase in a home's market value from the prior year plus 3% (or 2020 value plus 3% annually for 2025), limiting annual tax increases. Homeowners must apply to the Department of Revenue for the exemption, which applies to only one property per owner. Tax assessment notices must now include exemption information and estimates of potential tax savings. The exemption takes effect January 1, 2025, with rules to be adopted by the Department of Revenue by that date.

Maddy summaryHB 96 creates a formal grant program in Wyoming for local governments to apply for funds to reclaim abandoned mine sites. It requires the governor (via the abandoned mine land division) to establish clear application rules, prioritize projects approved by federal authorities (like the U.S. Office of Surface Mining), and process complete applications within 120 days. Local governments and joint powers boards can apply for these grants, and the program mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing grant requests and approvals. The bill does not create new funding but streamlines access to existing federal abandoned mine land funds.

Maddy summaryHB 207 repeals a lifetime restriction preventing certain hunters from obtaining moose or bighorn sheep hunting licenses. It directly affects individuals who, as of July 1, 2022, were subject to a five-year restriction under Wyoming law for these species. The bill allows these hunters to apply for and receive licenses as if they had never been restricted after July 1, 2022, though they will face the standard lifetime restriction if issued a license after the bill's effective date of July 1, 2024. This change modifies existing provisions in Wyoming's hunting license regulations (W.S. 23-1-703 and 23-1-705) without altering the underlying five-year restriction period.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 218 amends vehicle code to increase the maximum length for semitrailers in certain truck combinations. Specifically, it raises the allowable semitrailer length from 48 feet to 53 feet in truck-tractor-semitrailer setups while keeping the combined length limit at 81 feet. This change directly affects commercial trucking operations that use standard semitrailer combinations on Wyoming highways. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, allowing longer trailers for improved cargo efficiency without altering overall vehicle length restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 215 transfers Wyoming's Integrated Test Center (established in 2014) from its current administration to the University of Wyoming's School of Energy Resources, effective upon the bill's passage. The bill requires the center to focus its research on carbon capture, emissions management, and clean energy technologies, including facility design, testing, and collaboration with state agencies. It mandates reporting to the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee by specific deadlines (October 1, 2024, and February 1, 2025) and establishes the School of Energy Resources as the governing body under the Energy Resources Council. The transfer includes all property, funds, and obligations of the center, with the university required to submit a transfer plan by May 1, 2024. This bill directly affects the center's operations, the university's energy research programs, and Wyoming's carbon capture research initiatives.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 190 requires schools to notify parents about student health changes, name/pronoun adjustments, and well-being questionnaires, while prohibiting classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for K-12 students. The bill mandates parental consent for school health services and prohibits schools from restricting parental access to student records or discouraging parent involvement in student welfare decisions. School staff violating these provisions face disciplinary action, and schools may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. The law directly affects K-12 students, parents/guardians, and school staff, with implementation set for the 2024-2025 school year. It also establishes legal remedies for parents alleging violations by schools or staff.

Maddy summarySF 104 amends Wyoming law to change how wind and solar energy facilities on state lands are permitted. It requires county commissioners to obtain written consent from grazing and agricultural leaseholders before approving such facilities, especially when projects are near residential structures (within specific distance limits). The bill mandates that leaseholders be notified about proposed projects and allows them to participate as formal parties in the permitting process. Additionally, it updates definitions to include leaseholders as "affected landowners" and sets clear setback requirements for facilities near homes.