Sen. Jared Olsen

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 272 amends state law to expand the definitions of prostitution and soliciting prostitution to explicitly include "sexual contact" and "sexual intrusion" as defined in other statutes. This change directly affects individuals engaging in or offering money for sexual acts, as these activities would now fall under the existing misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months in jail or a $750 fine). The bill does not alter penalties or create new enforcement mechanisms - it simply updates the legal language to cover additional sexual acts. The amendment is set to take effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 237, the "Beer Freedom Act," repeals Wyoming's excise tax on malt beverages (beer), which was $0.005 per liter. This change directly affects beer wholesalers, retailers, and consumers by eliminating the tax on beer sales within the state. The bill amends specific statutes (W.S. 12-3-101(a), 12-2-201(c), and others) to remove the tax requirement, meaning no tax will be collected or reported on beer. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not impact taxes on wine or distilled spirits.

Maddy summaryHB 71 creates an annual sales tax holiday during the first weekend in August (Friday 12:01 a.m. to Sunday 11:59 p.m.) when specific items are exempt from Wyoming's sales tax. It directly affects consumers purchasing eligible school-related items, including clothing, computers, school supplies (like pens, notebooks, and backpacks), and school sports equipment. The exemption excludes high-priced items (e.g., clothing over $100, computers over $1,500) and non-eligible goods like jewelry, cosmetics, or items bought for resale. The bill specifies these rules to provide temporary tax relief for back-to-school shopping, effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 106 authorizes the state treasurer to issue "Wyoming stable tokens," a digital currency backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars held in a dedicated trust fund of Treasury bills. Token holders can redeem each token for exactly one U.S. dollar, with the state required to maintain at least 100% of all issued tokens' value in this reserve fund. The bill mandates annual reporting on the program's operation and explicitly states tokens are not state-insured or guaranteed beyond the reserve fund's value. This directly affects individuals and businesses holding these tokens, providing a state-backed digital currency option with clear redemption terms.

Maddy summaryThe Second Amendment Protection Act prohibits Wyoming state and local officials from using state funds or personnel to enforce any federal gun regulations that conflict with the Second Amendment. It specifically bans state resources from being used to carry out federal laws, rules, or regulations that the state deems to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms. Public servants who violate this prohibition face penalties under existing state law. The bill took effect on July 1, 2022, and applies directly to Wyoming's government entities and officials.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 100) amends the state's stalking law to explicitly prohibit using electronic devices to surveil others without permission. It directly affects individuals who might use GPS, digital tools, or internet tracking to monitor someone's location or online activity without their authorization. The key provision adds a new section banning unauthorized surveillance via electronic devices, including tracking internet/wireless activity, to the existing stalking statute. The law became effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 77 reduces the residency requirement for filing a name change petition. It changes the rule from requiring 2 years of county residency to just 60 days immediately before filing. This directly affects individuals seeking to legally change their names in Wyoming county courts. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 1-25-102 and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. The change simplifies the process for residents who have lived in a county for a shorter period.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new felony offense for intentionally or recklessly exposing an unborn child to a controlled substance without a valid prescription, if measurable drug levels are present in the umbilical cord, blood, or tissue at birth and cause bodily injury, disability, or disfigurement. It directly affects pregnant individuals using un-prescribed drugs and expands mandatory reporting requirements to include suspected prenatal drug exposure that could harm a newborn. The law requires anyone with knowledge or reasonable suspicion of such exposure to report it to child protective services or law enforcement, with penalties up to 10 years in prison for standard violations and up to 25 years for aggravated cases involving severe injury. It became effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summarySF 21 removes requirements for mental health and substance abuse service providers to hold specific accreditations (such as those from the Joint Commission or Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) to receive state funding. It directly affects providers offering these services under Wyoming's Court Supervised Treatment Programs Act and mental health funding rules. The bill amends two statutes to explicitly state that such accreditations are not needed for reimbursement eligibility. This change simplifies funding access for providers while preserving existing contracts and taking effect July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 81 allows people with disabilities to operate motorcycles with attached wheelchair or assistive devices by amending motorcycle operation rules. The bill removes a previous restriction on handlebar height and explicitly permits attaching assistive devices (as defined in state law) to motorcycles designed for such use. This directly affects disabled motorcycle riders who previously faced equipment limitations. The law took effect on July 1, 2022.