Sen. Bill Landen

Maddy summaryHB 85 would require social media companies to obtain parental permission before minors under 18 can create accounts on their platforms. It defines "minor" as unmarried, unemancipated Wyoming residents under 18 and mandates platforms to verify consent through rules created by the attorney general. The law would deny access to minors who haven't provided verified parental consent, with enforcement under Wyoming's Consumer Protection Act. The bill failed committee review in February 2024 and is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 142 establishes a dedicated funding account for Wyoming's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission by adding a $1 fee to vehicle registration for both passenger and commercial vehicles. The fees collected will be deposited into this account, with counties or departments allowed to retain up to 5% for administrative costs. This bill creates a stable, recurring funding source to support the commission's operations, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 82 (Wyoming) creates a tax credit program to encourage property owners to improve abandoned or nuisance buildings in cities and towns. It allows local governments to designate properties as "abandoned" (vacant >6 months) or "nuisance" (deteriorated structures) for tax credit eligibility, with limits based on city size (e.g., max 3 designations for towns under 15,000 residents). Property owners can claim up to 50% of demolition costs or 100% of improvement costs within 2 years (or 5 years for new owners) by submitting proof to the city for approval. The bill failed to pass in the 2024 legislative session (H Failed Introduction on Feb 14, 2024) and remains a proposed framework, not enacted law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 46) changes Wyoming's school attendance law to require children to attend school starting at age 6, rather than age 7. It lowers the minimum age by amending the requirement that children whose sixth birthday falls on or before August 1 (or September 15 if they started kindergarten early) must attend school. The bill repeals an outdated related provision (W.S. 21-4-302(a)) and makes the change effective for the 2024-2025 school year. It directly affects parents and guardians of children aged 6-15 in Wyoming school districts.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 120 restores civil rights for certain individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses. It automatically restores voting rights for nonviolent felony offenders after they complete their sentence or serve five years (whichever is shorter), and requires a written application to the Department of Corrections for domestic violence misdemeanor offenders to regain firearm rights. The bill also specifies that other rights (like firearm possession) are restored only after voting rights are reinstated. This applies to people convicted of nonviolent felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors under Wyoming law, following specific procedural steps outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 167) allows individuals seeking domestic violence protection orders in Wyoming to request remote participation in court hearings via video or audio technology. It directly affects petitioners and respondents in domestic violence cases who may face barriers to in-person attendance. Courts may approve remote hearings if they have the necessary technology, but retain full discretion to deny requests. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming cities' and towns' requirements for public improvement contracts and property purchases. It removes the need to publish bid advertisements in newspapers, adjusts the threshold for requiring competitive bidding from $35,000 to $250,000 for vehicle purchases, and modifies the forms and amounts of financial guarantees (like bonds) required for contracts. The changes apply to all contracts initiated on or after July 1, 2023, directly affecting how municipalities procure construction, services, and property. The bill streamlines procurement processes while maintaining documentation requirements for cases where fewer than three bids are obtained.

Maddy summaryHB 76 amends various Wyoming licensing board statutes by removing outdated language, obsolete dates, and redundant requirements. It specifically eliminates the state board's requirement to conduct cosmetology exams, updates continuing education rules for occupational therapists, and removes references to an accreditation committee for respiratory care practitioners. The bill affects multiple licensed professions, including cosmetology, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and real estate, by modernizing administrative procedures without creating new obligations. Key changes streamline existing rules by deleting expired provisions while maintaining current licensing processes. The bill takes effect upon enactment, with no new financial or operational impacts on licensees.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how court reporter fees are set in Wyoming. It requires district courts to establish fees for transcripts, records, and other papers through rules created by the district court judicial conference (instead of fixed statutory amounts). The bill repeals existing fee structures and takes effect July 1, 2023. It directly affects court reporters and individuals needing court documents in civil cases, as fees will now be determined locally by court rules rather than statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases state funding for the University of Wyoming's transportation technology transfer center program by appropriating $300,000 annually from the general fund. It requires counties to contribute $25,000 to $31,250 each year (depending on federal funding), with at least $150,000 of county funds designated specifically for the program's gravel road inventory initiative. The program provides training for county and municipal employees on transportation technology, administered by the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The funding applies to all Wyoming counties and directly supports local road maintenance and technology adoption efforts.