Sen. Chris Rothfuss

Maddy summaryHB 56 requires Wyoming cities and towns to mail notice of proposed zoning changes to affected landowners. Specifically, it mandates that cities send written notice by mail to all landowners within the proposed zoning district and all landowners within 1,000 feet of that area. The bill covers zoning changes including new zoning requirements, conditional use approvals, master plan amendments, and zoning map revisions. This requirement applies to all zoning change applications filed on or after July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter zoning standards but ensures affected landowners receive advance notice of changes impacting their property.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 267 regulates consumable hemp products (like edibles and tinctures) by requiring licenses for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from the Wyoming Liquor Division. It imposes an excise tax on retail sales, mandates independent lab testing for THC content using specific methods, and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. The bill defines key terms like "batch," "manufacturer," and "retailer," and includes penalties for violations such as selling to minors or operating without a license. This directly affects businesses selling hemp-derived products in Wyoming, adding regulatory and tax requirements to their operations.

Maddy summaryHB 256 renames Wyoming's "Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology" to the "Select Committee on Blockchain and Emerging Technologies." The bill clarifies that the committee may recommend legislation promoting blockchain and digital innovation, but any bills related to Title 13 (financial regulations) require approval from the joint minerals, business and economic development committee before introduction. As a procedural bill, it does not create new laws but adjusts committee structure and oversight processes. The committee currently has no active legislation, with the bill pending introduction as of February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 9 prohibits counties, cities, and towns in Wyoming from requiring licenses, permits, or other authorizations for businesses operated by minors under 18 years old. It also exempts "occasional" businesses (defined as not habitual or regular activities) from local licensing requirements. The law amends existing statutes to clarify that local governments cannot impose such fees or restrictions on minor-operated businesses or infrequent commercial activities. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 239, the Reproductive Freedom Act, establishes that Wyoming residents have the right to abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb (viability) or to protect the person's life or health, prohibiting state interference with this right. It defines key terms like "abortion" and "viability," and specifies that unauthorized abortions (outside these limits) are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine. The bill also protects healthcare providers’ professional judgment on viability or health risks, allows religious or ethical objections to participating in abortions without discrimination, and requires state-funded pregnancy programs to provide equivalent information about abortion options. It directly affects all Wyoming residents seeking abortion care, healthcare providers, and state programs offering reproductive services.

Maddy summaryHB 325, the "Industrial Power Consumption Freedom Act," allows large-scale industrial power users in Wyoming (defined as those with annual demand of at least 1 megawatt-hour) to directly purchase electricity from any provider, not just their local utility. Key provisions require electricity to be consumed solely on-site for commercial/industrial use, prohibit resale to other customers, and mandate that providers notify the state commission about agreements. The bill exempts these direct procurement arrangements from standard utility rate regulation and service territory rules, though transmission costs for other customers remain regulated. This policy change aims to give large industrial facilities more flexibility in sourcing power while maintaining service obligations for other utility customers.

Maddy summaryHB 58 requires the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners to provide written notice to county commissioners at least 60 days before approving new mineral leases or lease extensions on state lands or state school lands. County commissioners must then be given an opportunity to submit public comments on the proposed lease in writing or at a meeting. The bill applies only to new leases and extensions starting on its effective date, leaving existing leases unaffected. This change aims to increase local government involvement in mineral leasing decisions.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 99 amends trespass laws to clarify that people do not commit criminal trespass or game/fish trespass when accidentally touching or passing through private land while traveling between two adjacent parcels they're authorized to access - specifically when the parcels share a common corner or are immediately connected. The bill directly affects landowners and individuals traveling across private property for legitimate access to adjacent parcels (e.g., ranchers moving between properties). It creates a clear exception for incidental contact during this specific travel, removing ambiguity about whether such movement violates trespass laws. The change applies only to travel between authorized parcels and does not permit hunting, fishing, or other activities on private land without permission. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 (Wyoming PRIME Act) allows producers to sell meat products directly to consumers in Wyoming from animals they raised, slaughtered, and processed on their own property or at a custom slaughter facility. The bill requires clear warning labels stating the meat is uninspected, prohibits resale or donation, and mandates producers to disclose their animal health and processing standards. Sales cannot begin until the governor certifies that federal law permits such sales - either through new federal legislation or a court ruling invalidating federal bans. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, pending this federal certification.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 100 requires insurers and their intermediaries to pay pharmacies within 21 days for electronic pharmacy claims and 30 days for non-electronic claims, provided the claim is "clean" (complete with all required documentation). If payment isn't made on time, insurers must pay 18% annual interest. The bill defines "clean claims" as those without deficiencies, mandates insurers to notify pharmacies of missing information within 10-15 days, and prohibits insurers from charging pharmacies fees for payment processing. This applies to all pharmacy benefit contracts and takes effect July 1, 2024.