Rep. Dan Laursen

Maddy summaryHB 105 reduces Wyoming's severance tax rate for surface coal mining from 7% to 6.5% by lowering the statutory tax portion from 5.5% to 5%, while maintaining the constitutional 1.5% rate. This change directly affects surface coal mining companies operating in Wyoming, reducing their tax burden on coal extracted from the surface. The bill updates tax distribution rules to reflect the new rate, with the constitutional portion (1.5%) continuing to fund Wyoming's permanent mineral trust fund. The reduced rate applies to surface coal produced on or after July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryHB 107 amends Wyoming's water pollution control and drinking water revolving loan accounts to adjust funding sources and reimbursement rules. It specifies that state matching funds for federal loans can now come from the corrective action account, mineral royalty capital construction account, or water development accounts, with required reimbursement from program funds. The bill authorizes the state loan board to make grants and set-asides, and clarifies how funds flow between accounts. These changes directly affect state agencies managing water infrastructure financing, such as the Department of Environmental Quality, but do not alter project eligibility or funding amounts for municipalities. The bill focuses on procedural adjustments to existing revolving loan programs.

Maddy summaryHB 83 clarifies that Wyoming's parental rights protections apply to all legal proceedings involving parentage, neglect, termination of parental rights, child custody, or visitation. The bill specifically requires these protections to be considered in cases under Wyoming Statutes Title 14 (family law) or Title 20 (child welfare). It adds a new section to define this scope, ensuring consistent application across court and administrative decisions. The law took effect on 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.

Maddy summaryHB 108 clarifies the definition of embalming to exclude non-arterial disinfection or "setting features" for identification. It revises education requirements for funeral service practitioners, now requiring either 60 college credits plus an associate's degree in funeral service or a mortuary science diploma plus five years of experience. The bill also updates reciprocal licensing rules, allowing out-of-state practitioners with similar education to obtain licenses without additional training if they've practiced for at least three years. These changes apply to new license applications submitted on or after July 1, 2022, directly affecting funeral service professionals seeking licensure in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 27 establishes mandatory visitation rights for patients in healthcare facilities who stay more than five consecutive days. The bill requires facilities to allow unrestricted visitation and lets patients or their representatives choose visitors or limit access. It directly affects patients receiving extended care and healthcare facilities statewide. The law takes effect July 1, 2022, and prohibits facilities from imposing visitation restrictions under this provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 97) changes Wyoming's rules for voters changing political party affiliation. It specifies that voters must submit a signed application to their county clerk to change party affiliation before primary elections (by the nomination filing deadline) or before general elections (at least 14 days prior, or at the polls). Requesting a partisan primary ballot automatically counts as declaring party affiliation. The bill directly affects Wyoming voters who wish to switch party affiliations for upcoming elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a system for state employees and the public to anonymously report government waste, fraud, or abuse via phone or online. It requires the state audit department to review reports, protect reporters' identities, and refer serious cases to prosecutors or agencies for investigation. Government entities receiving referrals must investigate and report back on corrective actions, while the state would publicly post details of violations, costs, penalties, and investigation efforts. It also prohibits employment in state government for individuals convicted of waste or fraud.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 amends education law to require constitutional instruction in public schools and colleges, mandating at least three years of study in K-8 and one year in secondary/college. The bill explicitly excludes concepts described as "critical race theory" or "critical theory" from the required curriculum, defining "American institutions and ideals" to not include ideas that "inflame divisions" based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. This directly affects all public schools and colleges in Wyoming receiving state funding. The law took effect July 1, 2022.

Maddy summarySF 93 requires Wyoming's Legislative Service Office to publish each legislator's detailed roll call voting records on the official legislative website. This includes specific data for every vote: year, bill number, catch title, sponsor, amendment number, vote type, result, and date. The bill directly affects all Wyoming legislators by mandating this transparency on their official profile pages. It became effective July 1, 2022, and does not alter voting procedures or policy outcomes - only the public accessibility of voting history.