Sen. Tara Nethercott

Maddy summaryHB 181 eliminates coroners' authority to conduct inquests for deaths, shifting responsibility for death investigations to county health officers and accident inspectors. It revises statutes related to death reports (W.S. 7-4-201), postmortem examinations (W.S. 7-4-209), and fatal accident investigations (W.S. 30-2-212) to remove coroner involvement. Counties will no longer handle inquest costs through coroners, instead using health officer procedures for cause-of-death certification. The changes take effect July 1, 2024, impacting how death investigations are conducted across Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 179 clarifies that state park superintendents, assistant superintendents, and full-time park rangers at Wyoming state parks, recreation areas, archaeological sites, and historic sites qualify as peace officers when acting within their assigned sites or assisting other peace officers. The bill amends existing definitions in Wyoming law to explicitly include these staff members under "peace officer" status, granting them the same legal authority as other peace officers within their jurisdiction. This change specifically affects park personnel who enforce laws and respond to incidents on state-managed lands. The bill was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2024, but failed committee review in February 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 108 creates new criminal offenses for assault, threats of violence, and battery specifically against healthcare providers while they are performing work duties. It defines "health care provider" and sets stricter penalties: misdemeanor charges (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) for first offenses, and felony charges (up to 3 years jail or $1,000 fine) for repeat offenses. The bill applies to anyone who knowingly commits these acts against providers during employment, including threats involving bodily injury, death, or $1,000+ property damage. It does not create new protections for providers but increases legal consequences for perpetrators. The bill failed introduction in the Wyoming House on February 14, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 171 modifies Wyoming's rules for leasing school lands. It requires the board of land commissioners to provide 30 days' notice before leasing school lands via website, local newspaper, and certified mail to current lessees, adjacent landowners, and residents. The bill allows county residents who own adjacent land or are county residents to match the highest bid within five business days, giving them priority to lease the land if they meet the bid. This applies specifically to school land leases and excludes renewals of existing grazing or agricultural leases.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 99 allows witnesses to sign wills remotely via audio-video technology during public health emergencies or other urgent situations. The bill requires witnesses to see/hear the testator in real time, securely sign electronically, and confirm the testator's competency and voluntary action. It directly affects individuals creating wills and their witnesses by updating how wills can be legally executed. The law amends existing statutes to include remote witnessing as a valid method, effective July 1, 2023.

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 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 summaryWyoming's SF 112 creates confidentiality protections for peer support counseling sessions involving law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel (including volunteers). The bill prohibits disclosure of all communications, notes, or records from these sessions - such as those addressing trauma from critical incidents - and explicitly excludes them from public records under Wyoming's disclosure laws. Exceptions include threats of suicide or criminal acts, required abuse reports, admissions of criminal conduct, or consented disclosures by participants or survivors. This policy directly affects peer support specialists, their teams, and the personnel they assist, ensuring sensitive discussions remain private unless specific safety exceptions apply.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 100) automatically cancels property transfers to a former spouse in wills, trusts, or other estate plans upon divorce or annulment. It directly affects individuals who divorce and had designated their ex-spouse as beneficiary or fiduciary in legal documents. Key provisions include revoking all dispositions to the former spouse (including their relatives), severing joint property ownership into tenancies in common, and reviving these transfers if the divorced person remarries. The law applies to all existing and future wills and estate documents without requiring changes to the original documents. It does not impact third-party property buyers who relied on survivorship rights in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial joint resolution (SJ 5) recognizing the U.S. Air Force's 75th anniversary. It formally commends the Air Force for its service, acknowledges Wyoming's historical ties to the military (including Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, the oldest continuously active base, and the Wyoming Air National Guard), and reaffirms the state's partnership with the Air Force. The resolution has no policy changes or funding impacts - it is purely symbolic, directing the Secretary of State to share it with federal officials, military leaders, and Air Force ROTC. As a procedural resolution, it does not affect any laws or regulations.