Sen. Jared Olsen

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a legal barrier that previously prevented illegitimate children from inheriting from their parents under Wyoming's estate laws. It amends the definition of "child" in the estate code to include illegitimate children (aligning them with adopted children), repealing the prior exclusion. The change applies to all probate cases filed on or after July 1, 2019, ensuring illegitimate children have equal inheritance rights to legitimate children. It directly affects illegitimate children in Wyoming who now inherit under the same rules as other children.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 175 revises the state's Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act to clarify coverage rules and financial responsibilities. It creates new definitions (like "covered policy" and "member insurer"), sets a $5 million annual premium cap for multiple non-group life insurance policies owned by one person, and updates eligibility requirements for policyholders based on residency and insurer domicile. The bill directly affects licensed insurers operating in Wyoming, policyholders with multiple high-value policies, and health maintenance organizations. Key changes include clearer limits on the association's financial obligations and revised procedures for assessing member insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 185 allows Wyoming corporations to issue digital "certificate tokens" instead of physical stock certificates. It directly affects corporations issuing shares and their shareholders, enabling electronic representation of ownership stored on secure databases or blockchain systems. Key provisions define "certificate tokens" to satisfy legal requirements for share certificates, permit electronic transfer using "network signatures" (digital authorization), and specify that tokens must contain standard share information. The bill updates Wyoming law to treat these digital tokens as legally equivalent to physical certificates for all purposes, including transfers and corporate records. It became effective July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill exempts sales and use taxes on equipment used to build broadband internet infrastructure in unserved areas. It applies to telecom providers, internet access companies, and video programming services constructing networks where high-speed internet isn't currently available (defined as 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload for residential areas). The exemption covers infrastructure equipment like routers and cables but excludes items sold directly to end-users. Providers may use reasonable methods to allocate equipment costs across service regions instead of tracking exact geographic locations.

Maddy summarySF 94 allows Wyoming's Secretary of State to refuse to file nomination applications for state and federal offices (such as legislators, judges, or U.S. representatives) if an applicant is deemed ineligible under law. If an application is refused, the Secretary must provide written notice by certified mail, and the applicant may appeal to district court within five days - requiring a ruling within five days. The bill also mandates that complaints alleging an applicant's ineligibility must include the complainant's name and address. This procedural bill affects candidates seeking office and clarifies administrative steps for handling nomination eligibility.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 125 classifies digital assets (like cryptocurrencies and digital tokens) as property under state law, directly affecting residents, banks, and courts. It defines three categories: digital consumer assets (personal use), digital securities (investment-based), and virtual currency (used as money), each treated as property under specific sections of the Uniform Commercial Code. The bill establishes rules for banks to offer custodial services for digital assets and allows security interests (like loans using digital assets as collateral) through "control" mechanisms, such as private keys or smart contracts. This creates a legal framework for handling digital assets in transactions, disputes, and banking services within Wyoming.

Maddy summarySF 72 requires Wyoming criminal justice agencies to report on sexual assault biological evidence (like DNA samples) collected during investigations, starting January 1, 2020. Agencies must report evidence submission status, lab details, and reasons for non-submission, while protecting victim identities. The bill also changes who pays for medical examinations related to sexual assaults (first victim services, then law enforcement if funds run out) and prohibits destroying evidence until all legal time limits expire. These provisions affect law enforcement, crime labs, and victim services, aiming to improve evidence tracking and transparency.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 145 requires hunters and anglers to purchase a $6 annual recreation permit to access state trust lands (lands held for public schools and institutions). The permit fee distributes $4 to land beneficiaries (schools/institutions) and $2 to the game and fish commission for access programs. Exceptions include children under 12 with permit holders, public road travel, and state employees on duty. Violating the permit requirement is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $200 or up to one week in jail. The law mandates an agreement between the game commission and land board by November 2019 to implement the fee system.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 147) requires Wyoming's Department of Health to propose budget changes that reduce full-time and part-time staff at five specific state facilities - Wyoming Life Resource Center, Wyoming State Hospital, Wyoming Pioneer Home, Veterans' Home of Wyoming, and Wyoming Retirement Center - and increase the use of temporary contract employees instead. It mandates that the Department of Administration's budget division must base the health department's 2021-2022 budget on these recommendations. The policy directly affects staffing models at these facilities, shifting toward more flexible, short-term contracts for operational roles.