Sen. Jared Olsen

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 97 revises the state's uniform trust code to clarify key rules for trust management. It defines "qualified trustee" to include regulated financial institutions while restricting non-residents or unlicensed individuals from serving in this role. The bill removes time limits (perpetuities) for noncharitable purpose trusts, allows trustees to reimburse trust owners for tax costs attributable to the trust, and specifies who must receive court notice for trust-related cases. These changes apply to all trusts governed by Wyoming law created or subject to the code on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 188 exempts home-based child care providers who care for up to four children from multiple families (with no more than two children under age two) at one parent's home from standard child care facility certification requirements. This directly affects informal caregivers operating in private residences, allowing them to provide care without full licensing while still meeting basic safety standards. The bill requires the Wyoming Department of Family Services to create implementing rules within 180 days. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law, streamlining oversight for small-scale, family-shared home care arrangements. The legislation does not alter certification rules for licensed child care centers or larger facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 275 amends Wyoming's felony animal cruelty law to specifically address wildlife. It makes it a felony to intentionally torture, torment, or mutilate wildlife *after* it has been captured ("reduced to possession"), while allowing immediate killing of captured wildlife without violation. The bill adds penalties including license revocation for hunters or trappers convicted under this provision and clarifies that trap owners aren't required to check traps before the time mandated by wildlife regulations. It also removes a reporting requirement for wildlife taken by animal damage control agents.

Maddy summaryHB 129 changes the schedule for distributing school funds in Wyoming counties. It removes the requirement for county treasurers to distribute funds on June 20 (or the last business day before) each year, leaving only the regular monthly distributions. This directly affects county treasurers and school districts, as they will no longer process this specific annual transfer. The bill amends existing law to streamline fund transfers, with immediate effective date upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming public school districts to designate all multiple-occupancy restrooms and changing rooms as exclusively for males or females based on sex assigned at birth. It mandates reasonable accommodations like single-occupancy rooms for students who cannot use designated facilities, while allowing exceptions for maintenance staff, emergency medical help, and coaches under specific conditions (e.g., accompanied by same-sex adults). School districts failing to comply risk losing accreditation, and parents can sue for noncompliance. The law directly affects public school students, staff, and districts, with enforcement tied to state education standards. (Note: Bill is pending in Wyoming Legislature as of 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 199, titled the "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act" (not "Steamboat Legacy," which appears to be a misreference), creates a state-funded scholarship program for K-12 students in Wyoming. It increases the maximum annual scholarship from $6,000 to $7,000 for students at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, with annual inflation adjustments, and funds it through a new "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Program Account" using state education revenues. The bill eliminates mandatory certification for private schools and providers but adds voluntary registration, while prohibiting funding from local taxes. It directly affects low-income Wyoming families seeking to use scholarships for public, private, or online education options.

Maddy summaryHB 72 requires public facilities in Wyoming, including schools, correctional facilities, and government buildings, to designate multi-occupancy changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters exclusively for males or females. It prohibits access to opposite-sex designated areas and allows individuals to sue public entities if they encounter someone of the opposite sex in a designated space, unless exceptions apply (like single-occupancy unisex rooms, medical emergencies, or cleaning staff). The bill defines "female" and "male" biologically and specifies that civil lawsuits must be filed within two years of a violation, with successful plaintiffs able to recover attorney fees. This directly affects public facility operators and users in shared spaces, aiming to enforce single-sex facility use through legal accountability.

Maddy summarySF 162 requires Wyoming school districts to use all funds allocated for teachers under the education resource block grant model exclusively for teacher salaries, health insurance, and benefits starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It applies to all districts except charter schools, schools with fewer than 49 students, and districts with fewer than 243 students. The state education department must collect annual data on teacher spending and report findings to education committees by October 1 each year, including recommendations for refining the grant model. These provisions ensure transparency and direct funding toward teacher-related expenses as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 135 requires the state Attorney General to defend the state's dual banking system when federal or other state regulators allegedly treat Wyoming-chartered banks unfairly. The bill creates a new legal provision (W.S. 13-1-901) directing the Attorney General to investigate complaints from Wyoming banks about unlawful disparate treatment and take action to ensure fair treatment. It directly affects Wyoming state-chartered banks and the state government, aiming to protect Wyoming's banking revenue and regulatory framework. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, without changing existing banking regulations but adding a defense mechanism for state banks.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's confidentiality laws to allow the Department of Family Services (DFS) to share certain data for specific purposes. It creates a new exception permitting DFS to share information across agencies (like health, education, and workforce services) for referrals, service provision, and bona fide research, while still complying with federal law. The bill requires DFS to develop rules for data sharing and report to the legislature by October 2025 on shared data types and privacy safeguards. It directly affects DFS and the agencies receiving shared data, without creating new programs or altering eligibility for services. The main provisions take effect July 1, 2025.