Sen. Tara Nethercott

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 135 requires the state Attorney General to defend the state's dual banking system when federal or other state regulators allegedly treat Wyoming-chartered banks unfairly. The bill creates a new legal provision (W.S. 13-1-901) directing the Attorney General to investigate complaints from Wyoming banks about unlawful disparate treatment and take action to ensure fair treatment. It directly affects Wyoming state-chartered banks and the state government, aiming to protect Wyoming's banking revenue and regulatory framework. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, without changing existing banking regulations but adding a defense mechanism for state banks.

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 summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's confidentiality laws to allow the Department of Family Services (DFS) to share certain data for specific purposes. It creates a new exception permitting DFS to share information across agencies (like health, education, and workforce services) for referrals, service provision, and bona fide research, while still complying with federal law. The bill requires DFS to develop rules for data sharing and report to the legislature by October 2025 on shared data types and privacy safeguards. It directly affects DFS and the agencies receiving shared data, without creating new programs or altering eligibility for services. The main provisions take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the state sales tax on firearms and ammunition purchased in Wyoming. It creates a new tax exemption for these items under existing sales and use tax laws, effective July 1, 2025. The exemption applies to all buyers purchasing firearms or ammunition subject to Wyoming's tax code, directly affecting consumers and retailers selling these products. The change removes a financial cost at the point of sale but does not alter firearm ownership laws or definitions.

Maddy summaryHB 180 creates a state-administered mental health program for K-12 public schools in Wyoming, requiring all public school districts to implement it for at least two school years starting in 2025-2026. The program mandates schools to screen students for mental health needs, stabilize those identified, and refer them to appropriate services, with districts reporting on student outcomes and funding use. It allocates $5 million (reappropriated from existing funds) plus $805,000 specifically for the program, funding new roles like community project managers and coordinators at each participating district. School districts must notify parents if their child is identified for services under the program and submit annual reports to the state education department, with a final evaluation due by August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 260 establishes a grant program to help Wyoming cities and towns cover costs linked to specific criminal activities. It provides up to $5 million in initial funding (for fiscal year 2025-26) to qualifying local governments that meet criteria like increased jail costs from higher incarceration rates, reported violent crimes using national data systems, fentanyl-related cases, or prosecutions against nonresidents. Grants are limited to 10 jurisdictions annually, must be used solely for documented criminal activity costs, and require annual reports on fund usage. The program requires cities/towns to use national incident reporting systems to qualify and mandates the attorney general to administer applications and oversee spending.

Maddy summaryHB 229 designates the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum in Laramie County as a state historic site managed by Wyoming's Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. The bill requires the department to create a strategic master plan for preservation and operations within one year, including partnerships with local entities, and authorizes fees to fund site maintenance, development, and staff. These fees must be deposited into the state parks account, with annual financial reports submitted to the legislature. The bill also specifies $3.3 million in existing funds for site operations, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 276 requires Wyoming county sheriffs to negotiate written agreements with the U.S. Attorney General to enforce federal immigration laws, including detaining individuals for immigration purposes. County sheriffs must report annually on agreement status to the Wyoming Attorney General, who then reports to a legislative committee, with counties failing to pursue agreements losing eligibility for certain law enforcement funds. This bill directly affects all Wyoming county sheriffs and their counties, mandating specific cooperation with federal immigration enforcement under 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g).

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 Wyoming bill (SF 116) creates new criminal offenses for money laundering and illegal investments. It defines money laundering as knowingly handling property derived from crime (like cash from theft or fraud) or structuring transactions to evade reporting rules. The law imposes penalties of up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fines for these offenses, effective July 2025. It directly affects individuals, businesses, and financial institutions involved in transactions that conceal criminal proceeds or bypass required reporting. The bill updates Wyoming's criminal code to align with federal anti-money laundering standards.