Sen. Taft Love

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 million from Wyoming's tourism reserve fund to support the development of a rodeo and cowboy museum and hall of fame in Wyoming. The funds will be distributed in three installments of $5 million each on July 1, 2026, 2027, and 2028, contingent on the Wyoming Tourism Board certifying that relocation efforts will boost tourism, jobs, and state revenue. Applicants must provide matching funds (at least $1 for every $1 granted) and relocate to Wyoming by June 30, 2028, or repay the grant. The Wyoming Office of Tourism must report annually on fund usage until 2036.

Maddy summarySF 126 establishes the Wyoming-Ireland Trade Commission to promote economic ties between Wyoming and Ireland. The commission, composed of nine members (including two appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and business representatives), will advance bilateral trade, investment, academic exchanges, and policy collaboration. It must report annually to the governor and legislative leaders on its activities and recommendations. The bill creates the structure for this body but does not change existing laws or allocate new funds.

Maddy summarySF 109 creates a permanent "Cowboy State Agricultural Trust Fund" in Wyoming, funded through state investments and eligible contributions. The fund's earnings will provide grants to support agricultural programs, including University of Wyoming research, workforce development at community colleges, K-12 agricultural education, value-added projects, and technology adoption in farming. Recipients must match each dollar from the fund with at least one dollar in non-state funds and report on grant usage annually. The bill establishes a committee to manage grant applications, oversight, and reporting requirements. This legislation directly affects Wyoming agricultural educators, students, producers, and institutions through new funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Wyoming's zoning protest rules to make it easier for neighbors to block certain property changes. It lowers the required vote from city councils to approve zoning changes from three-quarters (3/4) to two-thirds (2/3) when a protest meets specific owner thresholds. To trigger this lower vote requirement, protesters must either own 33%+ of the affected lots or represent 33%+ of adjacent property owners within 300 feet (not counting streets). The change applies to zoning decisions made on or after July 1, 2026. This directly affects property owners near proposed zoning changes who wish to challenge them through the protest process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming cities and towns to hold elections for existing surface water drainage fee systems that began collecting payments before July 1, 2026, without prior voter approval. Municipalities must hold these elections by July 1, 2027, and if voters reject the fees, they must stop collecting them within 60 days. It clarifies that new or existing drainage systems must follow specific rate-setting rules for water use and runoff management after an election. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting local governments managing surface water drainage.

Maddy summaryWyoming Senate Bill 125 (SF 125) halts the Wyoming Business Council's (WBC) new funding activities starting April 15, 2027, prohibiting it from accepting new grant, loan, or bond applications for any programs it administers. The bill requires the WBC to submit a detailed report by April 30, 2026, listing all pending grants, outstanding loans, bonds, property, and funds held by the council, itemized by program. This report must include repayment schedules, recipient details, and the status of all financial obligations existing before the effective date. The legislation effectively transitions the WBC away from active funding operations while mandating transparency about its existing financial commitments.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 140 allows building owners or contractors to hire licensed architects, engineers, or ICC-certified third-party inspectors (not involved in the project's design or construction) to perform most building permit inspections, rather than relying solely on local building departments. Owners must notify the local authority in writing before inspections (via email or online systems), provide the inspector's details, and share inspection reports electronically within deadlines. Third-party inspectors must carry $1 million in liability insurance and cannot conduct final inspections required for certificate of occupancy, which remains the local authority's responsibility. This bill directly affects construction project owners, contractors, and local building departments in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 97 prohibits state and local governments, as well as financial institutions, from collecting, disclosing, or using financial records related to firearm or ammunition sales. It bans the use of "firearms codes" or merchant category codes that identify firearm retailers, preventing payment processors from discriminating against these businesses or their customers. The bill also prohibits maintaining registries of privately owned firearms or their owners through financial data and allows civil actions for violations. It directly affects firearm retailers, payment processors, and customers purchasing firearms or ammunition. Violations could result in criminal penalties (up to $2,000 fine or 1 year in jail) or civil enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe Expanding Physician Access Act allows Wyoming's Board of Medicine to issue provisional medical licenses to internationally trained physicians who meet specific criteria. To qualify, these physicians must have a job offer from a Wyoming health care provider (like a hospital or clinic), hold a current license in their home country for the past five years, complete at least seven years of practice (or 12 years without residency), pass U.S. medical exams and English fluency tests, and have valid U.S. work authorization. The provisional license is tied to employment: if a physician loses their job, the license is suspended until they find new employment, and revoked after six months without a position. A supervising physician - fully licensed in Wyoming with specific qualifications - must be approved to oversee the internationally trained physician.

Maddy summaryHB 150 creates a 13-member Wyoming Business Council Strategic Advisory Task Force to evaluate the state's existing Wyoming Business Council (WBC). The task force, including legislative members, business representatives from agriculture, manufacturing, oil/gas, tourism, and local government, will review the WBC's programs, duties, and operations - including those not specified in the Wyoming Economic Development Act - and compare them to other states. It must recommend changes to retain, modify, privatize, or eliminate WBC functions, develop a strategic direction for the council, and improve communication of its work to state leadership. The bill does not change the WBC's current operations but mandates this review process to inform potential future reforms.