Sen. Jared Olsen

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 122 extends temporary vehicle registration options for nonresident workers employed in the state. It allows nonresident employees to purchase a temporary permit ($50 per month, max 180 days) instead of full registration, provided their vehicle already displays valid out-of-state plates and insurance. The permit must be visibly displayed and replaces the need for standard registration fees, with collected funds going to county general funds. This directly affects nonresident workers driving vehicles registered in other states.

Maddy summaryWyoming's Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJ 7) is a symbolic resolution expressing legislative support for the relationship between Wyoming and Taiwan. It reaffirms Wyoming's commitment to strengthening economic ties, educational cooperation, and Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO. The resolution directs Wyoming's Secretary of State to send copies to U.S. officials, Wyoming's congressional delegation, Taiwan's leadership, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policy but formally states Wyoming's position.

Maddy summarySF 124, a proposed Wyoming bill, restricts foreign governments and businesses from purchasing or owning agricultural land in the state. It prohibits new foreign ownership after July 1, 2023, requires existing foreign-owned land to be registered with the secretary of state, and mandates selling or converting the land within two years if ownership becomes foreign. Violations could trigger daily civil penalties up to $5,000. The bill directly affects foreign-owned companies, governments, or their agents seeking to hold Wyoming farmland, with exceptions for land owned as of July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 197, the "Defend the Guard Act," would have prohibited the Wyoming National Guard from being deployed into active duty combat unless the U.S. Congress officially declared war or took specific constitutional action under Article I, Section 8, Clause 15. It defines "active duty combat" as participation in armed conflicts, hazardous services related to conflicts abroad, or duties involving "instrumentality of war." The bill allows domestic deployments under Title 32 for civil authority missions within the U.S. but blocks combat deployments without explicit congressional authorization. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Wyoming's worker's compensation rates to be no higher than the lowest third of nationwide state rates. It directly affects all employers in Wyoming by capping their premiums based on national averages, rather than state-specific rates. The state department of workforce services would determine national rates by state and adjust Wyoming's rates annually. Employers could contest their rate classification through administrative procedures if they disagree with the department's determination.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create an annual tax holiday during the first weekend in August, exempting sales tax on school-related items like clothing (under $100 per item), school supplies (under $50 per item), computers, computer hardware, software, and sports equipment. It excludes expensive items (e.g., computers over $1,500), accessories like jewelry, resale purchases, and rentals. The holiday would run from 12:01 a.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday each August, applying to both in-store and layaway purchases made during that window. The bill was introduced in 2023 but died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 64) amends a state law defining "manufacturer" for malt beverages. It specifies that certain regulations governing relationships between malt beverage distributors and manufacturers will not apply to small manufacturers producing fewer than 50,000 barrels annually. The change directly affects small craft breweries and malt beverage producers below this production threshold, exempting them from specific distributor-related rules under Wyoming law. The bill was introduced in 2022 but died in committee and never took effect.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 119, "Defend the Guard Act") prohibits deploying Wyoming National Guard members to active combat roles without a formal U.S. Congress declaration of war. It directly affects all Wyoming National Guard members and requires the governor to prevent such deployments. The law allows domestic deployments under Title 32 for civil support missions within the U.S. but mandates that combat deployments only occur after a congressional war declaration or specific constitutional authorization (enforcing laws, repelling invasion, or suppressing insurrection). The bill became effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHJ 12 is a Wyoming legislative joint resolution requesting Congress to increase the state's Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), which determines federal Medicaid funding. The resolution asks Congress to raise Wyoming's current minimum 50% FMAP rate - below neighboring states - by considering factors like Wyoming's high poverty rates, healthcare costs, rural access challenges, and unique income statistics. It specifically directs Wyoming's congressional delegation to seek policy changes for more equitable reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers. This procedural resolution does not change law but formally requests federal action to improve Medicaid funding for Wyoming's low-income residents and healthcare providers.

Maddy summarySF 150 allows individuals with valid enhanced concealed carry permits to carry concealed firearms on public areas of Wyoming's state capitol grounds, including the connection to the Herschler building. It requires permit holders to notify the Wyoming State Highway Patrol at least 24 hours before entering the capitol with a firearm and restricts carrying to public areas only, excluding private or restricted spaces. The law would take effect on July 1, 2023, but only if Senate File 149 (a separate bill) is enacted. This bill does not change general concealed carry laws outside the capitol grounds.