Sen. Jim Anderson

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 42) clarifies and updates Wyoming counties' zoning authority under state law. It specifically allows counties to regulate mineral extraction (excluding sand, gravel, and construction materials) in unincorporated areas while preventing counties from restricting such activity. The bill also ensures private schools meeting specific criteria (50+ students, nonprofit, certified facility design) are treated similarly to public schools under zoning rules. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, and do not affect existing leases or agreements made before that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming public school districts to provide age-appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention education to all students. It mandates that schools use programs consistent with existing state materials and training standards outlined in related statutes. The requirement applies to all K-12 public schools and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The legislation directly affects students and school districts by establishing a new mandatory educational component focused on suicide prevention.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a process for designating Wyoming state lands with "significant community value" based on historical, archaeological, wildlife, geological, or botanical features. County commissioners can apply to the Environmental Quality Council, which reviews applications with public hearings and approves designations if the land meets specific community value criteria. Once approved, the Board of Land Commissioners must consider this designation when evaluating any change in land use - including new leases, renewals, or dispositions - requiring individual review instead of routine approval. The bill amends state statutes to implement this requirement, ensuring community input is formally integrated into land management decisions.

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 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 establishes a legal process for electric utilities to gain a prescriptive easement (a legal right to use land) for power lines after five years of continuous, uninterrupted use without landowner permission. It directly affects landowners whose property is used for power lines and electric utilities that maintain delivery systems. Key provisions require utilities to provide 30 days' written notice to landowners before recording the easement, maintain the system while minimizing disruption (including 72-hour notice for temporary infrastructure removal), and compensate landowners for direct damages. The easement width must match industry standards for safe operation, and the law explicitly states it doesn’t override existing easements or property rights.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 186 establishes rules for storing spent nuclear fuel used in reactors manufactured and deployed within the state. It requires advanced nuclear reactor manufacturers (companies operating in Wyoming) to use temporary dry cask storage (special containers designed for safe storage), submit detailed applications to the state environmental department, and provide binding timeframes for moving fuel to permanent storage or reprocessing. The bill mandates reporting to state and local emergency authorities, exempts these facilities from other siting laws, and allows fees to be charged if fuel remains stored beyond agreed timelines. This directly affects Wyoming-based reactor manufacturers and their fuel storage operations, with no broader public impact specified.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 37) proposes creating a new "enhanced concealed carry permit" in Wyoming, allowing qualified individuals to carry concealed weapons in locations where standard permits would not apply. To qualify, applicants must complete a handgun safety course within the past year, provide fingerprints, hold a Wyoming ID, and meet other standard requirements. The bill does not change restrictions for school zones - its title misrepresents the content, as the text focuses solely on permit requirements and administration. The attorney general would issue these permits, maintain an online registry for law enforcement, and require applicants to acknowledge federal firearm laws. The bill died in committee in March 2025 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 106 creates a "Monument to America Development and Oversight Task Force" in Wyoming to plan a large-scale monument commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The task force, composed of state officials, tribal liaisons, and former leaders, must develop monument specifications (similar to Mount Rushmore), select a location on school trust lands for long-term benefit to public schools, and submit recommendations by July 4, 2026. The bill appropriates $40,000 for non-legislative members and $40,000 for legislative members to cover expenses through June 30, 2027, with the task force terminating after that date. This bill directly affects Wyoming's state government, school trust lands, and taxpayers through the allocated funding.