Sen. Eric Barlow

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.2 million from Wyoming's general fund to fund lawsuits defending the state's coal export operations and coal-fired power plants. The funds, available from 2021 through June 2030, specifically cover legal costs to challenge federal or state laws that impede coal exports or cause early closures of Wyoming coal-fired facilities. The governor's office must deposit these funds into a dedicated account and report annually on litigation expenses and case status to state committees. It directly affects Wyoming's coal industry by providing financial resources to legally defend coal export and power generation operations against regulatory actions.

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 164 requires Wyoming newspapers publishing legal notices (such as court filings or public hearings) to also post them online. Specifically, newspapers must publish these notices on a statewide digital repository (maintained by a newspaper organization representing most Wyoming papers) and on their own website, in a free, open location with no extra cost to the person publishing the notice. This applies to all legal notices currently required to be published in print, ensuring public access to these notices online without additional fees. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

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 summarySF 156, a proposed Wyoming bill, would have required oil and gas operators to negotiate in good faith with mineral owners who are not already under lease or contract before applying for drilling units. This amendment to Wyoming law (W.S. 30-5-109) aimed to directly affect operators and uncontracted mineral owners by establishing a formal negotiation step. The bill did not become law, as it died in committee in February 2023 without further legislative action. It focused on procedural requirements for drilling applications, not on altering mineral rights or financial terms.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (SJ 10) seeks to remove the Wyoming Legislature's authority to set "reasonable and necessary restrictions" on individuals' rights to make healthcare decisions and direct payment for care. It would repeal Article 1, Section 38(c) of the Wyoming Constitution, which currently allows the legislature to define such restrictions. The amendment would directly affect all Wyoming residents by eliminating legislative power to limit personal healthcare choices and payment decisions. If approved, it would change the constitutional framework governing healthcare autonomy, though it does not create new rights - it removes existing legislative authority to impose restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 64) amends a state law defining "manufacturer" for malt beverages. It specifies that certain regulations governing relationships between malt beverage distributors and manufacturers will not apply to small manufacturers producing fewer than 50,000 barrels annually. The change directly affects small craft breweries and malt beverage producers below this production threshold, exempting them from specific distributor-related rules under Wyoming law. The bill was introduced in 2022 but died in committee and never took effect.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 170 establishes a spending policy for Wyoming's Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account, limiting annual withdrawals to 5% of the trust's five-year average market value (phased in over 2024-2028). It also modifies how funds flow to the Wyoming's Tomorrow Scholarship endowment, requiring transfers back to the endowment when the scholarship expenditure account exceeds 9% of its five-year average market value. The bill directly affects state financial management of these two trust funds, ensuring spending aligns with long-term fund values. Key mechanisms include the phased calculation method for the wildlife trust's spending limit and the 9% threshold for scholarship fund transfers.