Sen. Cale Case

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 7 raises the minimum marriage age to 18 by making all marriages involving people under 16 automatically invalid (void). It removes the previous exception that allowed judicial approval for under-16 marriages, which previously made such unions voidable rather than void. The bill affects minors under 16, their families seeking marriage licenses, and county clerks or judges who previously processed such requests. It takes effect July 1, 2023, and maintains existing requirements for 16-17-year-olds (parental consent + court approval).

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 43) creates a new process for counties in Wyoming to establish emergency medical services (EMS) districts. Instead of requiring a public petition, county commissioners can now form or modify EMS districts through a resolution, after reviewing proposed boundaries with the county assessor and Department of Revenue. The bill specifies that county commissioners must appoint 3-9 local residents to lead these districts (serving 3-year staggered terms), and sets tax limits: districts formed via resolution can levy up to 4 mills (with voter approval), while others are capped at 2 mills. It directly affects counties and residents within EMS districts by changing how these services are organized and funded.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 40 exempts federal political action committees (PACs) from filing state campaign contribution and spending reports if their activities are exclusively for federal candidates or issues and they already comply with federal election reporting rules. This directly affects federal PACs operating solely at the federal level, removing a state-level reporting requirement they would otherwise face. The bill amends Wyoming law to clarify that such committees are not required to submit duplicate reports to the state when federal law governs their activity. The change takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's financial institution approval process to prevent customer confusion. It requires new banks or credit unions to choose names that don't closely resemble existing institutions in the same county or state. The key change adds a specific naming criterion to the approval standards, effective July 1, 2023, directly affecting applicants seeking state licensing.

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 summaryWyoming's HB 120 prohibits police from asking drivers or passengers to exit a vehicle during a traffic stop unless they have reasonable suspicion of a serious crime (punishable by jail), a search warrant, notification of an out-of-state crime, or immediate danger of bodily harm. The law directly affects drivers, passengers, and law enforcement officers during routine traffic stops. If officers violate this rule, any evidence found as a result cannot be used in court. The bill, which died in committee in 2023, would have taken effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 230 establishes a 60-day deadline for Wyoming's Department of Transportation to impose driver's license penalties after a conviction for offenses like driving under the influence (DUI). Specifically, the department must initiate administrative actions - such as license revocation, suspension, or requiring an ignition interlock device - within 60 days of a court's conviction order or deferral of prosecution, or the penalty cannot take effect. This bill does not change the penalties themselves but ensures they are applied within a clear timeframe, directly affecting individuals convicted of traffic offenses and the department's enforcement process.

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 summaryHB 268 updates Wyoming's Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act to modernize rules for agreements where consumers pay to eventually own items (like furniture or electronics). It requires merchants to provide clear digital disclosures - such as termination rights and mandatory warnings about optional damage waivers - in prominent formats (10pt bold or boxed text), and allows digital agreements for online transactions. The bill also mandates separate business licenses for physical locations versus online operations and grants regulators authority to inspect records and impose fines up to $2,500 per violation. These changes directly affect consumers (by improving transparency) and merchants (by standardizing disclosures and licensing).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming-based limited liability companies (LLCs) and foreign LLCs authorized to operate in Wyoming to file annual reports with the Secretary of State. The reports must include details on the company's Wyoming assets, property, and capital, plus the identity and contact information of any "beneficial owner" (defined as someone owning 50% or more of the company's profit interests). Companies must also pay an annual license fee of $60 or 0.0002% of reported assets, whichever is greater. The bill applies directly to all LLCs operating in Wyoming and takes effect July 1, 2023.