Sen. Cale Case

Maddy summaryHB 107 allows courts in Wyoming to terminate parental rights when a child was conceived as a result of sexual assault committed by the parent. The bill specifies that courts do not need to attempt family reunification and automatically accept a conviction (or guilty plea) for sexual assault as conclusive proof. It directly affects parents convicted of sexual assault who fathered children through that crime, and their children. The law took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 15 (Wyoming) removes the requirement for notarization on certain motor vehicle titles and bills of sale. It directly affects vehicle owners, dealers, and auctioneers during title transfers by eliminating the need for notarized signatures on sale documents. The bill clarifies ownership transfer rules, allowing any owner listed on a title to transfer a vehicle without signatures from other owners unless the title specifies joint tenancy or "and" ownership. This simplifies the process for most title transfers while maintaining existing requirements for lien notifications and tax payments. The changes apply to all motor vehicles requiring a Wyoming title.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill changes how state agencies select firms for professional services like architecture, engineering, and land surveying. It defines a "resident firm" as one with an in-state office staffed by local employees and requiring at least 50% of the project work to be performed by staff or contractors based in Wyoming. Agencies must now consider whether a firm meets this residency standard when evaluating bids and selecting contractors. The rule applies to all new contracts issued on or after July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 171 legalizes hemp production and processing by setting a 0.3% THC limit (on a dry weight basis) for hemp and hemp products. It requires licenses for producers and processors (with background checks and $500 annual fees), while allowing unrestricted possession and use of hemp products by all residents. The bill establishes enforcement through annual inspections, corrective action plans for violations, and misdemeanor penalties for intentional breaches. It also mandates a state regulatory plan, authorizes tribal agreements, and repeals conflicting laws.

Maddy summaryHB 143 gives judges more discretion in sentencing by allowing them to skip or limit presentence investigation reports for felony defendants. The bill amends Wyoming law to state that courts may dispense with the report requirement or restrict its scope to factors relevant to sentencing, instead of mandating full reports in all felony cases. It specifically maintains the requirement for substance abuse assessments in certain felony cases (like third misdemeanors or felonies) and keeps the cost assessed to the offender. This directly affects felony defendants and courts by changing when detailed pre-sentence reports are needed before sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 144 would allow Wyoming peace officers to issue a citation (instead of making an arrest) for certain misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment if the person poses a danger to themselves or others, might damage property, might skip court, or refuses to accept the citation. For misdemeanors without imprisonment as a possible penalty, the bill would require officers to issue a citation rather than make an arrest unless the same four conditions are met. This change would directly affect how police handle minor criminal charges in Wyoming, reducing unnecessary arrests for low-level offenses. The key mechanism is expanding the circumstances under which a citation can replace an arrest, focusing on public safety and court appearance.

Maddy summaryHB 87 modifies civil procedure in Wyoming by allowing healthcare providers to use the amount they agreed to accept (after discounts or forgiven debt) as proof of the fair cost of services in lawsuits. It directly affects patients, providers, and insurers involved in civil cases where healthcare costs are disputed. The law specifies that evidence of this agreed-upon payment amount becomes admissible to establish reasonable value, replacing previous methods of valuing services. This applies to all civil cases filed on or after July 1, 2019. The bill does not change healthcare costs or insurance rules but changes how those costs are proven in court.

Maddy summaryHB 234 would allow individuals convicted of marijuana-related felonies before July 1, 2019, to petition courts to reduce those convictions to misdemeanors if they completed time served equal to the new misdemeanor maximum. It directly affects people with past felony convictions for marijuana possession, use, or related offenses under Wyoming law. The bill creates a streamlined court process requiring no hearing for eligible petitions, and would restore civil rights lost due to those past felony convictions. It does not change current marijuana laws or penalties for future offenses, only addressing retroactive relief for pre-2019 convictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system where people on probation or parole in Wyoming can earn credits for consistently complying with their supervision terms. For each full month they meet all conditions without violations or absconding, their probation or parole term is reduced by 30 days. Credits are lost if a violation report is filed, if they abscond (deliberately avoid supervision), or if their supervision is revoked. The Department of Corrections and Board of Parole must establish rules for implementing this system and notify individuals of their remaining supervision time.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 152, the Underground Facilities Notification Act, requires construction planners and contractors to identify and mark underground utility locations (like gas lines or water pipes) before excavation. It directly affects contractors, engineers, and utility operators by mandating pre-excavation checks at no cost to utility companies, pre-marking of excavation areas, and specific emergency protocols if damage occurs (e.g., calling 911 for gas leaks). For government projects over $750,000 in public rights-of-way, it adds requirements for pre-design meetings with utility operators. The bill also specifies that hand-digging or "soft digging" must be used near utilities to prevent damage and clarifies that compliance doesn’t eliminate liability for negligence.