Sen. Bob Ide

Maddy summaryHB 182 clarifies that for voting purposes in Wyoming, "residence" refers only to a person's primary home where they actually live and intend to return, excluding secondary or commercial addresses not used for habitation. The bill amends election code definitions to prevent voters from registering using vacation homes, rental properties, or business locations as their official residence. It directly affects Wyoming voters who might attempt to register at non-primary addresses. The bill died in committee in March 2025 and never became law, with no effective date implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's state guard laws to remove the requirement that the National Guard must be activated for U.S. service before the Wyoming State Guard can be organized. It eliminates federal oversight by removing the secretary of defense's role in governing the state guard and grants the governor sole authority to establish, maintain, and equip the force. The governor will now fund the state guard through a $25,000 state appropriation (expiring June 2026) instead of federal sources, with members receiving up to 75% of National Guard pay rates. This directly affects the governor, state guard members, and Wyoming's defense structure by shifting control and funding entirely to the state.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJ 11) requests Wyoming’s state officials to use legal tools to challenge financial institutions that allegedly prioritize non-financial, ideological factors (like "stakeholder capitalism") over financial returns in investment decisions. It specifically directs the attorney general to investigate and litigate against such practices, including joining ongoing antitrust lawsuits (like the coal industry case with Texas), and asks the state treasurer to select asset managers focused solely on maximizing returns. The resolution directly affects Wyoming’s sovereign wealth funds and investment policies by requiring decisions to align with the state’s financial interests under its "prudent investor rule." It does not create new laws but urges state agencies to leverage existing enforcement powers to counter what the resolution describes as collusive investment practices harming Wyoming’s industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 47) allows cities, towns, counties, and school districts in Wyoming to establish a system of public recreation (like parks and community facilities) by either having their local government serve directly as the governing board or appointing a separate board of at least five members. It specifies that if the local government acts as the board, it is exempt from certain administrative rules, and outlines how vacancies on appointed boards must be filled. The bill also clarifies that jointly established recreation systems require at least one representative from each participating local government on the board. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 175 reduces the maximum duration of unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks for eligible claimants. The bill amends sections 27-3-304 and 27-3-316(c)(ii) to lower the weekly benefit calculation cap from 26 to 20 times a claimant's weekly benefit amount, and reduces extended benefits from 13 to 6.5 times the weekly amount. It also renames the "Unemployment Insurance Commission" to the "Unemployment Reemployment Insurance Commission" and appropriates $18,000 for system updates. The changes apply to all claims filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 131 prohibits the use of drop boxes for returning absentee ballots in Wyoming. The bill amends state election law to require voters to mail or hand-deliver absentee ballots directly to county clerks, banning all receptacles designed for ballot collection outside these methods. It directly affects voters and election officials by eliminating a common alternative to postal delivery for absentee voting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 282 establishes that for certain properties (like recently purchased residential real estate), the purchase price (acquisition value) is presumed correct for property tax assessment, unless proven otherwise. This directly affects property owners who recently bought land or buildings, as it shifts the burden to tax assessors to justify using a different value. The bill clarifies that sworn statements about acquisition value must remain confidential but can be used by county assessors and the state board of equalization to determine tax value, while maintaining privacy protections. It amends Wyoming's property tax code to formalize this presumption and update related definitions and procedures. The bill does not change tax rates but changes how property value is initially determined for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 238 prohibits individuals from delivering another voter's ballot to a county clerk, except for immediate family members or ballots mailed directly to the clerk. It directly affects voters who might collect others' ballots and election officials who process them, requiring ballots delivered in violation to be excluded from tabulation. The bill creates a felony penalty for knowingly violating this provision, punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. It amends Wyoming election law to clarify ballot delivery rules and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (HB 118) prohibits the state from transferring land to the federal government in a way that increases the federal government's total land holdings in Wyoming. It applies to all sales, exchanges, or conveyances of state-owned land, requiring that no transaction result in a net gain of land (including surface rights, minerals, or water rights) for the federal government. The law amends existing state statutes to enforce this "no net gain" rule for all future land transfers involving the federal government.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 64 is a state policy resolution opposing a federal rule requiring electronic ear tags for livestock. It states Wyoming's position that the state will continue using traditional identification methods (like brands, ear tags, and tattoos) under existing law, rather than adopting mandatory electronic devices. The bill requires state and local veterinarians to inform livestock producers about these traditional options and clarifies that Wyoming livestock buyers in other states would be responsible for electronic tagging if required there. This bill does not change Wyoming's current identification rules but formally rejects the federal mandate as unnecessary and costly.