Sen. Bo Biteman

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 summaryThis non-binding resolution expresses Wyoming's support for private companies developing coal-to-carbon products, such as graphene, construction materials, and advanced fibers. It encourages continued investment in this industry to create manufacturing and research jobs across various skill levels. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with federal officials and local governments but does not create new laws or funding. It formally recognizes private sector investment in coal-to-carbon R&D as a key economic opportunity for Wyoming.

Maddy summarySF 135 would have removed legal limits on the number of nursing care facility beds that health care providers could add in Wyoming. It repealed specific sections of state law (W.S. 35-2-906(b), (c), (f), and (g)) that previously restricted bed capacity increases. This change would have directly affected nursing care facilities seeking to expand their capacity. The bill died in committee in February 2019 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySF 72 requires Wyoming criminal justice agencies to report on sexual assault biological evidence (like DNA samples) collected during investigations, starting January 1, 2020. Agencies must report evidence submission status, lab details, and reasons for non-submission, while protecting victim identities. The bill also changes who pays for medical examinations related to sexual assaults (first victim services, then law enforcement if funds run out) and prohibits destroying evidence until all legal time limits expire. These provisions affect law enforcement, crime labs, and victim services, aiming to improve evidence tracking and transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 106 allows Wyoming voters to change their political party affiliation on election day at polling places, rather than requiring advance filings. It amends election code sections to permit voters to update their affiliation when requesting a partisan ballot, with changes recorded directly on poll lists by election judges. This applies to both primary and general elections, eliminating the previous 14- or 30-day advance filing deadlines for affiliation changes. The law took effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 101) allows employers to deduct money from an employee's final paycheck to cover theft or damage caused by the employee. It applies to most employees but excludes commission-based sales agents with custody of company funds. Employers may only deduct if the employee admits the theft or a court determines it, and they cannot withhold wages for more than three months while pursuing legal action. The law modifies existing wage payment rules to clarify this deduction process.

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.