Sen. Tim French

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 66 creates two programs for donating hunting licenses. First, it allows free hunting licenses (for antelope, deer, elk, or turkey) for youth aged 12-20 with life-threatening illnesses, sponsored by nonprofits. Second, it lets license holders donate big game licenses (like elk, bison, or deer) to veterans with disabilities, people using wheelchairs, or vision-impaired individuals, via qualifying nonprofits - reissuing the license at no cost. Donated licenses cannot be sold or traded and bypass standard residency, drawing, and fee rules. The bill requires the Game and Fish Commission to create implementing rules and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 123 creates the Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund, administered by the Wyoming Energy Authority, to support the state's traditional energy industries. The fund receives a portion of severance tax revenues (50% for fiscal years 2027-2028, then 50% for 2029 onward) that would otherwise go to the permanent mineral trust fund or school accounts. It provides grants and loans for projects like coal innovation, natural gas, uranium processing, and pipeline infrastructure - requiring a 1:1 match from non-state funds - but explicitly excludes wind and solar energy projects. The fund aims to bolster Wyoming's energy sector, which supports over 60,000 jobs and generates significant state revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's state guard laws to remove the requirement that the National Guard must be activated into federal service before the state guard can be organized. It allows the governor to directly establish and maintain the Wyoming state guard without federal involvement, specifying that state funds - not federal - will cover personnel costs. Eligibility is updated to include Wyoming residents aged 17-65, and the bill appropriates $25,000 from the state general fund to establish the state guard and council of defense through June 2028. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming state agencies and local law enforcement from using state funds to enforce federal gun regulations that conflict with Second Amendment rights. It creates criminal penalties (up to 1 year in jail or $2,000 fine) and civil penalties of $50,000 per violation for agencies that enforce such federal rules. The law specifically exempts cooperation with federal authorities on non-gun-related matters and defines key terms like "federal regulation" and "law abiding citizen."

Maddy summaryHB 95 allows individuals legally carrying concealed weapons without a permit under Wyoming law to do so at public colleges and universities, with one exception: they cannot carry during athletic events where alcoholic beverages are sold. The bill amends Wyoming's concealed carry statute to explicitly include college/university facilities as permitted locations, removing prior restrictions. It directly affects permitless concealed carry holders who are already authorized to carry under existing law (specifically W.S. 6-8-104(a)(ii)-(iv)). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change rules for campus employees or volunteers, who remain subject to separate school district regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 90 requires Wyoming's state engineer to study how large-scale industrial water use permanently removes water from the natural water cycle (like data centers, carbon capture, and hydrogen production), excluding normal evaporation from irrigation. The study must analyze current impacts on all water users - including agriculture, municipalities, and recreation - and recommend ways to limit future impacts. It mandates a report to the legislature by November 2026, funded by a $500,000 appropriation specifically for this study. This bill does not change water rules but creates a formal process to assess emerging industrial water demands.

Maddy summaryHB 97 prohibits state and local governments, as well as financial institutions, from collecting, disclosing, or using financial records related to firearm or ammunition sales. It bans the use of "firearms codes" or merchant category codes that identify firearm retailers, preventing payment processors from discriminating against these businesses or their customers. The bill also prohibits maintaining registries of privately owned firearms or their owners through financial data and allows civil actions for violations. It directly affects firearm retailers, payment processors, and customers purchasing firearms or ammunition. Violations could result in criminal penalties (up to $2,000 fine or 1 year in jail) or civil enforcement.

Maddy summarySF 118 requires legislative approval before state-funded water projects can use eminent domain to acquire private land. It directly affects water districts, cities, or public entities seeking to build or expand water infrastructure using state funds. The bill adds a new requirement (W.S. 41-2-124(m)) that mandates the legislature must approve such eminent domain actions for water projects, modifying existing laws that previously allowed these entities to proceed without this step. This change applies specifically to projects utilizing state funds, not all eminent domain uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Wyoming's Article 7, Section 1 regarding public school funding. It would require the legislature to establish a funding formula for public schools (subject to judicial review for constitutionality) but explicitly state that the *amount* appropriated for that formula cannot be challenged in court. If funding falls short, spending would be reduced uniformly across all schools rather than through court intervention. The amendment directly affects Wyoming's public school funding process, state courts, and the legislature's budget authority. It does not change how funding is calculated but removes judicial oversight of the final appropriation amount.

Maddy summarySJ 7 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Wyoming legislature, not courts, the authority to define what constitutes "health care" for the purpose of the constitutional right to health care access. It would also require that any health care laws passed by the legislature undergo judicial review under the "rational basis" standard (meaning courts would only strike down laws lacking a reasonable connection to a government interest). This change would directly shift how health care decisions are legally defined and regulated in Wyoming, moving authority from judges to elected lawmakers. The amendment must be approved by Wyoming voters to become part of the state constitution.