Sen. Barry Crago

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 69) allows Wyoming court clerks to digitize physical court records instead of keeping paper copies, directly affecting county court offices. It amends Wyoming Statute 5-7-103 to explicitly permit scanning and retaining digital copies in a case management system, while removing the requirement to store physical documents. The change applies to most court cases but excludes probate matters, and clerks must follow specific disposal rules (W.S. 9-2-411) for original documents. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 111 adds fentanyl to Wyoming's list of controlled substances that constitute child endangerment when exposed to children. It prohibits anyone with care of a child from knowingly allowing them to absorb, inhale, or ingest fentanyl or methamphetamine, remain in rooms where these drugs are manufactured/sold, or enter areas used for storing these drugs. The bill removes a previous exception allowing prescriptions to be used as a defense in child endangerment cases involving controlled substances. It directly affects parents, caregivers, and anyone responsible for children's safety in environments where fentanyl or methamphetamine is present. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

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 summaryHB 145 expands access to criminal identification and intelligence information to specific state agencies, including law enforcement, the state board of parole, department of corrections, the office of homeland security (for purposes under W.S. 19-13-105), designated agencies under W.S. 14-6-227, and the department of family services. Agencies holding this information must implement security precautions to prevent unauthorized access, with rules tailored to each agency's specific use and security practices. The bill amends existing law to formalize these access provisions and security requirements. It takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a separate tax class for residential property in Wyoming. This would allow the legislature to set distinct tax rates for homes compared to other property types, including authorizing subcategories like owner-occupied primary residences. If approved by voters, it would change Wyoming’s property tax system by formally separating residential real estate into its own class under the state constitution. The amendment must be ratified by Wyoming voters at the next general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 225 requires that any proposition to impose or continue a mill levy (a local tax) for a senior citizen service district must be submitted to voters every four years after the initial approval, rather than just once. This applies to districts serving seniors and directly affects county voters who must approve these ongoing taxes. The bill specifies that if a levy proposition is defeated, it cannot be resubmitted to voters for at least one year. The law would take effect July 1, 2023, but the bill died in committee and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires property owners in Wyoming to mark gates and access points with at least 50 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink paint to legally prohibit trespassing. It directly affects landowners (especially those with property along public roads), recreational users like hunters and anglers, and state agencies. The bill specifies that metal fence posts must be fully painted above ground, exempts public road entrances, and mandates the Game and Fish Commission and State Parks Department to include trespassing notice rules in permit materials and develop signs for public road entries. This standardizes property marking to clarify boundaries and reduce accidental trespassing on private land.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the process for mineral producers to pay monthly ad valorem taxes (taxes based on the value of minerals produced) in Wyoming. It specifies that producers must report production by the 25th of the second month after production and pay taxes by the 25th of the third month, with payments calculated using the previous year's county mill levy rate. Funds collected are distributed monthly by the state department to county treasurers, who then allocate them to local taxing entities based on the production year. The changes take effect July 1, 2023, and apply to all mineral and mine producers in the state.