Sen. Bill Landen

Maddy summaryHB 279 clarifies the order in which multiple property tax exemptions apply to a single property in Wyoming. It requires the Department of Revenue to apply exemptions sequentially: percentage-based exemptions (like senior citizen discounts) must be applied from smallest to largest percentage, while non-percentage exemptions (like homestead exclusions) come after. This affects property owners who qualify for more than one exemption, ensuring consistent application without conflicting reductions. The bill does not change existing exemptions but mandates a specific, transparent process for their combined use. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 22) amends state law to allow a child's parental rights to be terminated if the child has been under a relative's guardianship for over 24 months *and* the parent is found unfit. It specifically adds this scenario as a legal ground for termination, requiring clear evidence of both the extended relative guardianship and parental unfitness. The change directly affects parents whose children are in long-term relative care and have been deemed unfit by a court. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 152 creates a Wildfire Management Task Force to study wildfire impacts on state lands, local fire agencies, and communities. The task force, including legislative members, state officials, and industry representatives, must report by October 2025 with recommendations for future legislation. The bill also updates the state forester’s duties to include managing fire control programs on state lands, pre-positioning resources during high-risk periods, and setting standards for privately contracted fire services. It appropriates $50,000 total ($25,000 each for legislative and non-legislative members) to fund the task force, which will operate until December 31, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 132 prohibits operating drones over critical infrastructure (including power plants, water facilities, hospitals, prisons, and military sites) for intentional photography, loitering, or criminal activity. Exceptions allow federal-authorized drone use, government operations, infrastructure owners, model aircraft in parks, and emergency services like police or disaster response teams. Violations face misdemeanor penalties ($2,500 fine or 6 months jail) for first offenses, escalating to felony charges ($5,000 fine or 2 years jail) for repeat violations. Law enforcement may disable violating drones, and the Wyoming National Guard can assist with enforcement, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a property tax exemption for surviving parents of veterans who died while serving honorably in a war, conflict, or specified period (a "gold star veteran"), if there is no surviving spouse. To qualify, surviving parents must be Wyoming residents for at least three years and file a sworn claim with their county assessor by the fourth Monday in May, covering property they own or hold in a trust for their benefit. Divorced parents living separately may each claim the exemption in their respective counties. The Department of Revenue must create implementing rules, and the exemption takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the cost threshold requiring competitive bidding for purchases and projects by Wyoming water, sewer, and water/sewer districts. It raises the mandatory bidding requirement from $30,000 to $75,000 for contracts involving labor, materials, or supplies. Districts can now make purchases under $75,000 without competitive bidding, but must still follow bidding rules for $75,000+ projects and accept the lowest responsible bid. The law applies to projects initiated on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 275 amends Wyoming's felony animal cruelty law to specifically address wildlife. It makes it a felony to intentionally torture, torment, or mutilate wildlife *after* it has been captured ("reduced to possession"), while allowing immediate killing of captured wildlife without violation. The bill adds penalties including license revocation for hunters or trappers convicted under this provision and clarifies that trap owners aren't required to check traps before the time mandated by wildlife regulations. It also removes a reporting requirement for wildlife taken by animal damage control agents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 145) allows Wyoming local governments - such as cities, counties, and special districts - to invest public funds in stocks (equities) for the first time. It creates a new investment category under existing law, requiring these investments to follow state investment policies set by the State Loan and Investment Board. Local governments may also form advisory boards for investment guidance, but these stock investments are exempt from certain prior restrictions. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, after the state board adopts necessary policies.

Maddy summarySF 89 repeals Wyoming's bed expansion limitations for hospitals and nursing care facilities, removing the requirement for state approval before adding beds. It modifies health facility regulations so the Department of Health can only review plans for health and life safety compliance, not bed count increases. The bill requires the Department of Health to report to the legislature by September 2029 on how the change affects facility construction and operations. This law takes effect July 1, 2025. (Bill SF 89, Certificate of Need Repeal-2)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires industrial facility developers to pay wildlife impact costs to eligible groups (like conservation organizations) when siting projects that harm wildlife habitats. Developers must apply to the Industrial Siting Council, providing evidence of specific wildlife impacts and mitigation plans. The Council then reviews this evidence, determines the payment amount based on unmitigated harm, and ensures funds are used solely for reducing those impacts. Payments are made to the state treasurer, who distributes them directly to the eligible groups for habitat restoration or conservation work. The bill applies to all new industrial facilities requiring state siting permits under Wyoming law.