Sen. Ed Cooper

Maddy summaryHB 112 increases penalties for repeat theft offenses by establishing a new felony classification for a fifth or subsequent conviction. It directly affects individuals convicted of a fifth or later theft-related crime, including shoplifting, larceny, or property theft under state or local laws. The bill imposes a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both for these offenses. This change takes effect on July 1, 2023, modifying existing theft penalty statutes to create a separate felony tier for repeat offenders.

Maddy summaryHB 70 modifies Wyoming's legal definition of a "home-based educational program" under W.S. 21-4-101(a)(v). It specifies that such a program must be provided by a parent, legal guardian, or their designated person to a single child, and explicitly excludes programs serving more than one family unit. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not create new requirements or funding but clarifies what qualifies as a home-based program for regulatory purposes. This directly affects parents or guardians providing home education to their own child, excluding multi-family educational arrangements from this definition.

Maddy summaryWyoming's Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJ 7) is a symbolic resolution expressing legislative support for the relationship between Wyoming and Taiwan. It reaffirms Wyoming's commitment to strengthening economic ties, educational cooperation, and Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO. The resolution directs Wyoming's Secretary of State to send copies to U.S. officials, Wyoming's congressional delegation, Taiwan's leadership, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policy but formally states Wyoming's position.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 210 creates a "restricted financial institution list" for banks that discriminate against energy companies without a valid business reason. It requires the state treasurer to maintain this list after board approval, providing 45 days' notice to institutions before listing them and allowing removal if they stop discriminatory practices. The state must then refuse to enter into banking contracts with institutions on the list, affecting state and local government financial relationships. This bill directly impacts financial institutions that target fossil fuel companies, with definitions clarifying "discrimination" includes refusing service based on energy sector activities. The policy change focuses on state contracting practices, not altering banking regulations for institutions.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding joint resolution (not a law) expressing support for phasing out new electric vehicle sales in Wyoming by 2035. It does not impose any legal requirement but encourages Wyoming industries and citizens to limit new EV purchases toward this goal. The resolution cites concerns about oil/gas industry stability, lack of charging infrastructure, and mineral disposal challenges as justification. The measure died in committee in February 2023 and has no legal effect.

Maddy summarySF 115 prevents insurance companies from restricting how dentists bill patients for dental services. It prohibits insurers from requiring dentists to combine separate procedures into one bill (bundling) or reclassify complex procedures as simpler, lower-cost ones (downcoding). The bill also allows dentists to bill patients directly for services not fully covered by insurance, provided they first inform patients about limited coverage, obtain written consent, and provide a copy of that consent to the insurer. These changes apply to all dental insurance contracts issued, renewed, or delivered in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 177 modifies Wyoming's school expulsion policy for students possessing deadly weapons, requiring a mandatory one-year expulsion from public schools for such violations. The bill allows school boards to extend expulsion beyond one year if the district provides alternative educational services during the additional period. It directly affects public school students in Wyoming who are found with deadly weapons, as defined under existing law. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not alter the grounds for expulsion but specifies the minimum expulsion duration.

Maddy summaryHB 176 limits the number of K-12 content standards Wyoming schools must teach, capping at four per subject for grades K-6 and eight per subject for grades 7-12. It allows school districts to use course completion (like passing a class) instead of standardized tests to measure student performance in some cases. The bill requires districts to report on their assessment systems and directs the state to propose reducing testing by August 2023, potentially using college entrance exams to meet federal requirements. This directly affects Wyoming public schools, teachers, and students by changing curriculum expectations and assessment methods.

Maddy summaryHB 271 creates a dedicated endowment fund for the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture (specifically its life sciences and natural resources programs). The bill requires all annual investment earnings from this fund to be fully distributed to the college for direct use on approved agricultural programs, including academic courses supporting Wyoming's farming/ranching industry, extension services, the state veterinary lab, agricultural research, equipment, and faculty recruitment. It mandates detailed annual reporting to state committees on exactly how funds are spent, broken down by program type and faculty positions funded. This endowment directly affects the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and its ability to support Wyoming's agricultural sector through targeted funding.