Sen. Darin Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming property owners from selling or transferring real property to the federal government without prior consent from the Wyoming legislature. It requires sellers to submit a notice and evidence that the federal government's acquisition would be based on a constitutional power (like eminent domain) before signing any binding agreement. Failure to comply results in a civil penalty equal to the sale's net proceeds. The law applies to all such transactions occurring on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting property owners and federal agencies seeking land acquisitions in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 278 (Wyoming bill) requires county clerks to publicly test voting machines before elections and make these tests accessible to the public. It mandates posting public notices 5 days before testing (or 24 hours before re-tests), allowing political party representatives and the public to observe accuracy checks and counter resets. The bill removes the previous presumption that machines were properly prepared, instead requiring documented testing that verifies counters start at zero and accurately count votes. These changes apply directly to Wyoming county clerks and election officials managing voting systems.

Maddy summarySF 133 (Wyoming) creates a legal right for parents to challenge government actions that infringe on parental rights in court. It amends state law to allow parents to assert violations of parental rights as a defense or claim in any judicial or administrative proceeding, regardless of whether the government is a party. The bill specifies that parents may seek remedies like court orders, compensation, and attorney fees if their rights are violated. This directly affects parents and government entities in Wyoming, making government liability possible for such violations starting July 1, 2025. The law does not change parental rights themselves but provides new legal tools to enforce them.

Maddy summaryHB 210 prohibits individuals or businesses from charging fees for advising or assisting veterans with benefits claims, except as permitted under federal law. It requires all service providers to use written agreements with specific disclosures - clearly stating they are not affiliated with the VA or state veterans' agencies - and to avoid guaranteeing specific benefits. The bill mandates that fees comply with federal standards (38 C.F.R. § 14.636) and bans excessive charges, while requiring providers to inform veterans about free alternatives like county veterans' service offices. This law applies to new agreements starting July 1, 2025, directly affecting veterans seeking benefits help and the organizations offering such services.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming constitutional amendment (SJ 10) clarifies that taxation and spending authority belongs solely to the state legislature and governor (executive branch), not the courts. It allows the legislature to delegate local taxing power to counties/cities (with elected officials serving ≤4-year terms) and delegate routine debt payments to the executive branch, with courts enforcing these tasks. For public school funding, it requires the legislature to create a judicially reviewable funding formula, but the appropriation amount itself cannot be challenged in court. If funding falls short, school spending would be reduced uniformly across all districts. The amendment must be approved by voters to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 128) removes the sales tax on electricity sold by public utilities for domestic, industrial, or commercial use in Wyoming. It directly affects all electricity consumers, including households and businesses, by eliminating a tax they currently pay on their electricity bills. The key mechanism is amending Wyoming’s tax code (W.S. 39-15-103 and 39-15-105) to create a specific exemption for electricity sales. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Residential Property Tax Reduction Account" to fund property tax refunds for Wyoming homeowners. It directly affects primary residence owners who paid property taxes in the prior year, capping refunds at $13,300 per household. Key mechanisms include funding the account from unappropriated general fund balances (exceeding 5% of projected receipts) and mineral trust earnings, with refunds paid proportionally if funds are insufficient. Refunds will begin for 2025 taxes in 2026, with even years capped at half the account balance and odd years using the full balance. The program defines "primary residence" as where a homeowner lived at least six months of the tax year.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming joint resolution (SJ 2) demands that the U.S. Congress extinguish federal ownership of public lands and subsurface resources within Wyoming's boundaries - currently covering over 46% of the state's surface and 69% of its subsurface resources - to fulfill Wyoming's constitutional right to "equal footing" as a state admitted to the Union. It cites the state's 1890 admission act and the U.S. Constitution's Admissions and Property Clauses, arguing that continued federal control violates Wyoming's sovereignty. The resolution specifically asks Congress to confirm its intent to transfer these lands to Wyoming by October 2025, proposes that transferred lands become state public lands, and offers to negotiate cession of lands deemed nationally significant. As a non-binding resolution, it serves as a formal request to Congress, not a legislative action with immediate effect.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 150 creates a property tax exemption for real estate and equipment (like buildings and training tools) used exclusively by for-profit trade schools for educational purposes in the state. To qualify, schools must be registered in Wyoming, located within the state, offer career-focused training aligned with workforce needs, and maintain national accreditation. The exemption applies only to property used for teaching - commercial uses like retail space don't qualify - and requires annual reporting to the state. Schools must apply for the exemption, which lasts five years and requires renewal before expiration. This policy aims to support workforce development by reducing operating costs for qualifying institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 205 creates the Wyoming State Fair Department, transferring all state fair operations - including staff, funding, equipment, and responsibilities - from the Department of Agriculture. The new department will be led by a director appointed by the State Fair Board (with Senate approval), who will manage the annual fair held in Douglas and oversee fairgrounds maintenance. Existing state fair functions, including budgeting for the fair and its grounds, will now fall under this standalone department instead of Agriculture. The bill formalizes this structural change while maintaining the fair's current purpose of celebrating Wyoming's agricultural heritage through competitions and exhibits.