Sen. Tara Nethercott

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 104 establishes a specialized Chancery Court to handle complex civil cases, directly affecting residents and businesses involved in disputes requiring specialized legal expertise (e.g., corporate, real estate, or contract matters). The bill creates a court with up to three nonpartisan judges serving six-year terms, requiring a $1,000 minimum filing fee for cases and authorizing the Supreme Court to set rules for procedures, fees, and case transfers. Funding comes primarily from case filing fees, with the legislature able to supplement from general funds if needed. The court operates statewide with concurrent jurisdiction, and appeals go directly to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 111 authorizes community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degree programs (called "baccalaureate of applied science" degrees) for the first time. It requires the Community College Commission to approve all new such programs before they can receive state funding. The bill also updates the Hathaway scholarship program to cover these new degrees, allowing students to use scholarships for up to eight semesters to complete them while maintaining a 2.25 GPA. This directly affects community college students pursuing applied bachelor's degrees and the colleges offering them.

Maddy summaryHB 107 allows courts in Wyoming to terminate parental rights when a child was conceived as a result of sexual assault committed by the parent. The bill specifies that courts do not need to attempt family reunification and automatically accept a conviction (or guilty plea) for sexual assault as conclusive proof. It directly affects parents convicted of sexual assault who fathered children through that crime, and their children. The law took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 236 creates a new legal entity type called "statutory foundations" in Wyoming, establishing specific rules for their formation, operation, and management. The bill sets out procedures for creating foundations (including required documents), defines roles like "founders" and "beneficiaries," and clarifies liability protections for contributors. It directly affects organizations seeking to form or operate as foundations in Wyoming, as well as foreign foundations wanting to establish operations in the state. Key provisions include standardized governance rules, fee structures for registration, and mechanisms for transferring foundation assets, all designed to provide a clear legal framework for this entity type.

Maddy summaryHB 55 allows mobile home owners in Wyoming to use a copy of their title instead of the original when transporting their mobile home within the state. The bill amends tax and permit rules to require owners to present a copy of the title (along with proof of tax payment) to the county treasurer before obtaining an over-width permit from the Department of Transportation. This change directly affects mobile home owners who need to move their homes on public roads, simplifying the process by eliminating the need to carry the original title. The law became effective July 1, 2019, and does not alter the requirement to pay annual property taxes for transport permits.

Maddy summarySF 9 exempts fire protection districts and water and sewer districts in Wyoming from the requirement to undergo an annual financial audit under the Uniform Municipal Fiscal Procedures Act. Previously, these districts were mandated to have an annual audit by a certified public accountant, but this bill removes that specific obligation. The districts must still comply with other financial oversight provisions, such as those outlined in Wyoming Statute 9-1-507(a)(iii). The exemption takes effect immediately upon the bill's enactment.