Sen. Ed Cooper

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 46) changes Wyoming's school attendance law to require children to attend school starting at age 6, rather than age 7. It lowers the minimum age by amending the requirement that children whose sixth birthday falls on or before August 1 (or September 15 if they started kindergarten early) must attend school. The bill repeals an outdated related provision (W.S. 21-4-302(a)) and makes the change effective for the 2024-2025 school year. It directly affects parents and guardians of children aged 6-15 in Wyoming school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 146 expands Wyoming's property tax relief program to include renters who occupy rental properties as their principal residence. It allows eligible renters to apply for a refund of up to $250 (or the calculated amount, whichever is less) based on their income and assets, while existing owner-occupants continue to qualify for relief covering up to 75% of their property tax paid. To qualify, applicants must meet income limits (not exceeding 125% of their county's median household income), asset limits ($150,000 per adult), and occupy the property for at least 9 months annually. Applications must be submitted by June 1st each year, with refunds issued by September 30, and the bill takes effect January 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 131 prohibits anyone from sending absentee ballot request forms to Wyoming voters by mail, email, or other methods without the voter's specific request. This law directly affects political groups, organizations, or individuals who might distribute these forms unsolicited. The key provision requires that such forms can only be sent if a voter has asked for them, with violations punishable as misdemeanors (up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine). The bill amends Wyoming election statutes to create this restriction and penalty, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 120 restores civil rights for certain individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses. It automatically restores voting rights for nonviolent felony offenders after they complete their sentence or serve five years (whichever is shorter), and requires a written application to the Department of Corrections for domestic violence misdemeanor offenders to regain firearm rights. The bill also specifies that other rights (like firearm possession) are restored only after voting rights are reinstated. This applies to people convicted of nonviolent felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors under Wyoming law, following specific procedural steps outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Wyoming's Energy Authority to finance oil and gas refinery construction and expansion projects through bonds. It amends the authority's purpose to explicitly include supporting refinery development and permits bond issuance specifically for these projects. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming effective. This directly affects oil and gas refineries in Wyoming seeking state-backed financing for new or expanded facilities.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 100) automatically cancels property transfers to a former spouse in wills, trusts, or other estate plans upon divorce or annulment. It directly affects individuals who divorce and had designated their ex-spouse as beneficiary or fiduciary in legal documents. Key provisions include revoking all dispositions to the former spouse (including their relatives), severing joint property ownership into tenancies in common, and reviving these transfers if the divorced person remarries. The law applies to all existing and future wills and estate documents without requiring changes to the original documents. It does not impact third-party property buyers who relied on survivorship rights in good faith.

Maddy summaryHB 118 directs 60% of Wyoming's fire insurance premium tax revenue to the volunteer firefighter, EMT, and search and rescue pension account, while 40% goes to a legislative reserve fund. It also appropriates $9 million from the state general fund directly to the pension account. The bill increases funding for these volunteer emergency responders' retirement benefits by changing tax distribution and adding new state money. It becomes effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 190 creates a select committee to coordinate Wyoming's energy and industrial development projects, directly affecting state government (legislature and governor) and future project developers seeking state support. The bill establishes a committee with 6 members (3 from each chamber, including committee chairs) to review project proposals and task force recommendations, requiring a November 2023 report to relevant committees. Key provisions include authorizing task forces to study specific projects like natural gas export facilities, manufacturing plants, and market access strategies for Wyoming's energy resources. The committee may also draft new legislation to advance these projects, focusing on maximizing public benefits through coordinated state efforts.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SJ 11 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a state-led convention to propose constitutional amendments. It specifically seeks changes to restrain federal spending, limit federal government power, and impose term limits on federal officials and Congress. The resolution includes specific rules for the convention, such as prohibiting consideration of changes to the Bill of Rights and requiring one state, one vote. This is a procedural request (not a law) from Wyoming's legislature to Congress, aiming to build state support for a constitutional convention under Article V.

Maddy summaryWyoming bill SF 157 amends a state law to explicitly allow the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and Northern Arapaho Tribe to apply for participation in emergency insect management programs. The bill updates the application process so these tribes, along with state agencies, can submit applications directly to the Department of Agriculture for such programs. This change removes previous barriers by formally including the tribes as eligible applicants under the existing statutory framework. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.