Sen. Brian Boner

Maddy summaryHB 208 allows surface owners (landowners) to object if oil and gas operators fail to negotiate in good faith for access to their land. If a surface owner objects in writing within 30 days, the state commission must hold a hearing to determine if negotiations were proper, and may require the operator to restart talks. Until the dispute is resolved - through the commission's decision or court appeal - the operator cannot access the land or conduct surface-disturbing activities. The bill directly affects landowners and oil/gas operators in Wyoming, creating a formal process to address negotiation disputes before operations begin.

Maddy summaryHB 133 creates the "Hathaway Expand Wyoming Scholarship" to provide financial aid to students from states bordering Wyoming (like Montana and Colorado) attending Wyoming colleges. To qualify, applicants must have a 3.75+ GPA, score in the top 4% nationally on standardized tests, and graduate from a rigorous high school curriculum in a contiguous state. The scholarship covers up to the cost of attendance (capped at University of Wyoming's trustee scholarship amount) but requires recipients to either work in Wyoming for one year per four semesters received or repay funds with interest (capped at 8%) if they don't meet academic requirements or leave Wyoming institutions. This expands eligibility beyond Wyoming residents while adding service and repayment conditions to ensure long-term benefits for the state.

Maddy summaryHB 291 allows local governments in Wyoming to restrict liquor licenses based on existing zoning rules but prohibits licensing authorities from adding extra restrictions beyond what the law already permits. It directly affects businesses seeking or renewing alcohol licenses and local officials managing licensing decisions. The law prevents authorities from imposing additional conditions (like special fees or location limits) that aren't already specified in state law. The bill took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 85, the Medicaid Fraud Control Act, creates a dedicated fraud unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse. The unit gains full access to all Medicaid records held by providers (such as hospitals and clinics) and can prosecute individuals who submit false claims or conceal material facts. It establishes criminal penalties: misdemeanor fines up to $750 or 6 months in jail for claims under $1,000, and felony penalties up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fines for claims $1,000 or more. Providers must certify the accuracy of all Medicaid applications, reports, and invoices under penalty of perjury. This directly affects Medicaid providers, the Attorney General's office, and anyone submitting Medicaid claims.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 127) changes penalties for fleeing police by elevating certain cases to a felony. It makes fleeing a felony if the driver causes bodily injury, damages property over $5,000, or violates another specific traffic law (W.S. 31-5-229). Drivers convicted under these aggravated circumstances face up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, instead of the previous misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months or $750). The law directly affects drivers who flee police and cause serious harm or significant property damage. It took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summarySF 39 would have required Wyoming's legislature to approve any changes to interstate water compacts before they take effect. This bill directly affects Wyoming's state government and its water management decisions, as it would have prevented the state from binding itself to new or altered water agreements without legislative consent. Key provisions include mandating legislative approval for amendments to interstate water compacts (excluding court rulings) and requiring the Attorney General to report such actions to the legislature. The bill, introduced in 2019 but never passed, aimed to ensure state lawmakers had a formal role in major water policy decisions involving neighboring states.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 68 prohibits misrepresenting non-meat products as "meat" in labeling, advertising, or sales. It requires retailers and wholesalers to clearly label products not derived from harvested livestock or poultry as "imitation food" and foreign meat as "imported" with country of origin. The bill defines "meat" as specific edible muscle parts (excluding lips, snout, or ears) and applies to businesses selling meat or meat-like products. It became effective July 1, 2019, and mandates the Department of Agriculture to create labeling rules.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 148 creates a legal framework allowing the state to temporarily seize and operate federal facilities like national parks or wildlife refuges if the federal government cannot do so effectively. During seizure, the governor must maintain public access, protect natural/cultural resources, and allow concessionaires to continue operating, while charging fees to cover costs. The state must return the facility to federal control once the federal government can manage it, and repay any fees collected or profits earned. The bill also establishes a $1 million contingency fund for planning and exempts certain operational plans from public records disclosure.

2019/Summaries/HB0073.pdf