Sen. Tim Salazar

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 128) removes the sales tax on electricity sold by public utilities for domestic, industrial, or commercial use in Wyoming. It directly affects all electricity consumers, including households and businesses, by eliminating a tax they currently pay on their electricity bills. The key mechanism is amending Wyoming’s tax code (W.S. 39-15-103 and 39-15-105) to create a specific exemption for electricity sales. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment shifts primary responsibility for building public school facilities to local school districts, requiring voter approval for capital projects. It mandates state funding to equalize costs so districts pay no more than a statewide average tax burden (based on per-person valuation), using mechanisms like statewide mill levies. The state may also provide additional funds to address financial hardships for school districts. This change replaces a system previously required by a 2001 court ruling that placed full responsibility on the state, which relied on declining coal lease revenue.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 150 creates a property tax exemption for real estate and equipment (like buildings and training tools) used exclusively by for-profit trade schools for educational purposes in the state. To qualify, schools must be registered in Wyoming, located within the state, offer career-focused training aligned with workforce needs, and maintain national accreditation. The exemption applies only to property used for teaching - commercial uses like retail space don't qualify - and requires annual reporting to the state. Schools must apply for the exemption, which lasts five years and requires renewal before expiration. This policy aims to support workforce development by reducing operating costs for qualifying institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 266 creates statewide licensing for food trucks in Wyoming, allowing operators licensed in one county or city to legally operate anywhere in the state. The bill requires food trucks to maintain proof of a valid license from the Department of Agriculture or local health department, a sales tax license if needed, compliance with fire safety rules, and adherence to other applicable laws. It directly affects food truck businesses by eliminating local licensing barriers and updating definitions to include food trucks under "commercial food establishment" in state law. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with rulemaking requirements for the Departments of Agriculture and Health to implement the changes.

Maddy summaryHB 283 amends Wyoming's Second Amendment Protection Act to prohibit state and local governments from using state funds or personnel to enforce federal firearm regulations that infringe on Second Amendment rights. It creates a $50,000 civil penalty per violation for agencies that enforce or assist in enforcing such federal laws, including for employees who knowingly participate in federal firearm enforcement after July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects Wyoming government agencies, law enforcement, and public officers who might enforce federal firearm rules. Key provisions define "this act," establish liability for violations, and allow civil lawsuits by affected citizens with no sovereign immunity defense.

Maddy summaryHB 148 regulates surgical abortion facilities in Wyoming by requiring them to obtain a specific license as ambulatory surgical centers. It mandates that only licensed physicians with hospital admitting privileges within 10 miles of the facility can perform surgical abortions, and facilities must comply with health department rules for surgical centers. Violations carry penalties: misdemeanor fines up to $1,000 for facilities or physicians, and felony charges (1-14 years imprisonment) for unlicensed providers. The bill directly affects surgical abortion facilities, licensed physicians performing abortions, and hospitals with admitting privileges, while defining key terms like "surgical abortion" and "abortion facility."

Maddy summarySF 99 prohibits physicians and health care providers in Wyoming from performing specific medical procedures related to gender transition for children under 18. This includes surgeries like sterilization (e.g., hysterectomy, orchiectomy), mastectomies, puberty-blocking drugs, and hormone therapies that induce infertility. Exceptions apply for medically verified conditions, such as disorders of sex development or central precocious puberty, with parental consent. Violations could lead to suspension or revocation of a provider’s license, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 105, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibits credit card processors and financial institutions from using a "firearms code" (a merchant category code identifying firearm purchases) to track or disclose information about firearm and ammunition transactions beyond standard payment processing. The law defines "protected financial information" as records linked to such codes and bans its use for surveillance, discouraging lawful gun purchases, or sharing with government entities without a specific legal requirement. It creates a private right for individuals to file civil lawsuits if their financial privacy is violated and includes exceptions for mandatory financial reporting (e.g., anti-money laundering compliance). The bill directly affects credit card processors, financial institutions, and firearm buyers by preventing the misuse of transaction data for monitoring constitutional rights.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 109, the "Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," bans state and local government entities from enforcing any "red flag" gun seizure orders against residents. It prohibits using state funds or personnel to implement federal or state laws that restrict firearm possession without a violent felony conviction or specific protective order. The bill creates civil liability for agencies that violate it, allowing residents to sue for damages and up to $50,000 per violation. It explicitly excludes standard evidence seizure during lawful investigations but overrides all conflicting local laws on this issue.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 (Wyoming PRIME Act) allows producers to sell meat products directly to consumers in Wyoming from animals they raised, slaughtered, and processed on their own property or at a custom slaughter facility. The bill requires clear warning labels stating the meat is uninspected, prohibits resale or donation, and mandates producers to disclose their animal health and processing standards. Sales cannot begin until the governor certifies that federal law permits such sales - either through new federal legislation or a court ruling invalidating federal bans. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, pending this federal certification.