Sen. Cale Case

Maddy summaryHB 179 transfers a 28.94-acre parcel of land in Fremont County (previously held by the Department of Health for the Wyoming State Training School) to the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The bill authorizes the Department of Health to convey the surface rights without cost, except for survey, title insurance, and closing costs paid by the DOT. The remaining portion of the parcel will stay with the Department of Health for future transfer to a municipality for residential housing. This is a procedural land transfer bill with no new policy provisions, affecting only the specific land parcel and the two state departments involved.

Maddy summaryHB 225 allows people attending Wyoming legislative meetings to park on streets without time limits during official sessions. It specifically prohibits local ordinances from restricting parking duration: (1) within the Capitol complex during active legislative or committee meetings, and (2) within one-half mile of any official meeting location during those sessions. The law applies to all attendees, including the public and legislators, and takes effect July 1, 2025. This bill directly modifies parking regulations to accommodate meeting attendance without imposing time restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 185) requires Wyoming public entities (like cities, counties, school districts, and the state) to sell government-owned property not used for "governmental purposes" after 10 consecutive years of non-use, with a deadline of January 1, 2027. It defines "governmental purpose" to include health/safety facilities, education, infrastructure, and administrative buildings, but explicitly excludes recreational properties (like campgrounds and movie theaters), leased commercial spaces, and idle land. Property required by law (such as state lands managed by the Board of Land Commissioners) is exempt from this requirement. The law aims to ensure government assets are used for public services or sold, reducing unused public holdings.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises Wyoming's net metering rules to distinguish between existing and new small solar/wind energy systems. It requires utilities to compensate *new* small customer-generators (systems operational after January 1, 2026) under a compensation system established by the Public Service Commission, while preserving current rules for *existing* systems (operational before December 31, 2025). Cooperatives must adopt new rates for new generators by January 1, 2026, and file them with the Commission. The bill also changes annual credit rollovers, requiring unused credits to be sold to utilities at their avoided cost rate. These changes directly affect residential and small business energy producers installing new systems after 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 191 shifts certain marijuana possession offenses from criminal to civil penalties in Wyoming. It eliminates criminal charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana (over 3 ounces in plant form, over 16 ounces in edibles/ointments, or over 30 grams in concentrated forms) and for marijuana paraphernalia, instead imposing civil fines. The bill also prohibits practitioners from prescribing marijuana (except for FDA-approved drugs like dronabinol) and updates definitions for cannabis products. These changes apply directly to individuals possessing marijuana within the specified quantity limits, moving enforcement toward civil penalties rather than criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 252 repeals a three-year tax exemption for new wind energy production in Wyoming, effective immediately upon enactment. It directly affects new wind energy projects by removing a tax break previously available for the first three years of operation. However, wind turbines that began generating electricity for sale before the bill's effective date will retain the exemption under the repealed provision. The bill makes no changes to existing wind energy operations but alters tax treatment for future projects.

Maddy summarySF 90 creates a state-managed investment pool allowing Wyoming cities, towns, counties, school districts, and other local governments to pool their existing funds for equity investments (like stocks) through the state treasurer. Local entities must acknowledge investment risks in writing and cannot seek state reimbursement for losses. The state treasurer will set rules for fund transfers, withdrawals, minimum pool sizes, and fees covering only actual costs. This bill modifies existing investment rules (W.S. 9-1-419) without creating new government spending, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 72 prohibits public utilities from recovering costs related to voluntary donations through customer rates. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to block ratepayers from covering these costs, whether the donations are one-time or ongoing. This directly affects utilities (like electricity or gas providers) and their customers, preventing utilities from passing donation expenses to consumers. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 154 amends the Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act to update rules for rent-to-own contracts, directly affecting consumers and merchants who use these agreements for items like furniture or electronics. The bill requires clear, plain-language disclosures in agreements - such as a mandatory notice in bold type about the right to terminate without penalty - and mandates that merchants provide digital notices with consumer consent. It also adds specific requirements for liability damage waivers, including a clear warning that they are optional and a recommendation to check existing insurance coverage. These changes standardize disclosures, expand digital agreement options, and enhance consumer transparency for rental-purchase transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 85) removes the sales tax on electricity sales to public utilities and providers for domestic, industrial, or commercial use in Wyoming. It directly affects electricity providers and consumers by eliminating this tax, but only if Wyoming imposes a 3.5% tax on the annual gross energy earnings from electricity produced in the state. The key provision requires an equivalent alternative tax on electricity production to take effect alongside the sales tax repeal. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2024, if passed.