Sen. Tim Salazar

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 100) clarifies which state firearms regulations apply by amending a definition in Wyoming law. It specifies that "this act" refers to specific sections (W.S. 6-8-401 through 6-8-406) governing weapons, resolving potential confusion about applicable rules. The change affects how existing firearms laws are interpreted but does not create new restrictions or allowances. The bill was introduced in 2019 and recommended for passage by the Judiciary Committee. It became effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySF 119 requires the Wyoming state auditor to publicly post detailed vendor payment information on two websites: the state auditor's official site and the Wyoming public finance website. The bill mandates that all payments made to vendors for goods or services - showing the date, vendor name, amount, and description - must be posted within 30 days of payment, covering the current year and the previous five years. This applies to all state agencies and directly affects public access to government spending data. The requirement took effect on July 1, 2019, for all payments made after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's net metering rules to allow electric utilities to authorize customer-generators (like homeowners or businesses with solar/wind systems) to install net metering systems exceeding 25 kilowatts in capacity, which was previously capped. It updates the definition of "net metering system" in state law to remove the 25-kilowatt limit and explicitly permits larger systems under utility authorization. The key change enables customers with bigger renewable energy systems to connect to the grid and receive credit for excess power, expanding access beyond the prior size restriction. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019, without requiring additional legislative action for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 158 removes imprisonment as a possible penalty for most general traffic violations in Wyoming, meaning drivers convicted of minor offenses (like speeding or parking violations) can now only face fines. However, it preserves imprisonment penalties for specific serious violations listed under Wyoming Statutes 31-5-1102 through 31-5-1108 (such as DUI or reckless driving), maintaining up to six months in jail for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects all drivers convicted of traffic violations in Wyoming, shifting penalties for routine offenses to solely fines. It took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 157 allows biological grandparents who have acted as parents (in loco parentis) to petition a court for termination of a child's parents' rights. To qualify, grandparents must have lived with the child without parents for at least one year, assumed full parental responsibilities (including financial support and care), and demonstrated that parents failed to contribute financially or maintain contact for a year. The court must find parents unfit based on specific criteria, such as continuous failure to support the child or engage in parental duties, and must determine termination is in the child's best interests. This bill modifies Wyoming's termination process to explicitly grant standing to qualifying grandparents, requiring them to state their intent to adopt in the petition.

Maddy summaryHB 149 creates a property tax credit for individuals who purchase and improve abandoned buildings in Wyoming cities or towns. It allows owners to claim a tax credit equal to their documented costs for rehabilitating designated abandoned properties, such as removing or repairing deteriorating structures. To qualify, owners must get city/town approval for expenses directly tied to the building and submit them to the state revenue department within five years of purchase. The credit is limited to actual improvement costs, cannot exceed the property's tax liability, and must be used within 10 years of eligibility. This policy directly affects property owners and local governments seeking to revitalize vacant, deteriorating buildings.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 127) changes penalties for fleeing police by elevating certain cases to a felony. It makes fleeing a felony if the driver causes bodily injury, damages property over $5,000, or violates another specific traffic law (W.S. 31-5-229). Drivers convicted under these aggravated circumstances face up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, instead of the previous misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months or $750). The law directly affects drivers who flee police and cause serious harm or significant property damage. It took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summarySF 135 would have removed legal limits on the number of nursing care facility beds that health care providers could add in Wyoming. It repealed specific sections of state law (W.S. 35-2-906(b), (c), (f), and (g)) that previously restricted bed capacity increases. This change would have directly affected nursing care facilities seeking to expand their capacity. The bill died in committee in February 2019 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySF 72 requires Wyoming criminal justice agencies to report on sexual assault biological evidence (like DNA samples) collected during investigations, starting January 1, 2020. Agencies must report evidence submission status, lab details, and reasons for non-submission, while protecting victim identities. The bill also changes who pays for medical examinations related to sexual assaults (first victim services, then law enforcement if funds run out) and prohibits destroying evidence until all legal time limits expire. These provisions affect law enforcement, crime labs, and victim services, aiming to improve evidence tracking and transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 127 raises income thresholds for Wyoming's tax refund program for elderly and disabled residents. It increases the income limit for single individuals (65+ or totally disabled) from $13,500 to $17,500 annually, and for married couples (with one spouse 65+ or disabled) from $22,000 to $28,500. The refund amount for singles is $800 (reduced if income exceeds $10,000), and for married couples it is $900 (reduced if income exceeds $16,000). The bill appropriates $2.5 million to fund these refunds, effective July 1, 2019.