Sen. John Kolb

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 26 as "Shared Parenting Day" in Wyoming through a ceremonial resolution. It does not change custody laws or create new obligations; instead, it formally recognizes the state's commitment to raising awareness about shared parenting arrangements. The resolution cites research on child well-being benefits when children maintain relationships with both parents after separation or divorce. This designation applies statewide and aims to promote community reflection on shared parenting, affecting all Wyoming residents through annual observance.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 119 repeals the Strategic Investments and Projects Account, transferring its remaining funds (excluding penitentiary construction funds) to the state general fund by July 1, 2026. The bill preserves $10 million annual transfers from the repealed account to the Wyoming State Penitentiary Capital Construction Account until 2038, ending the dedicated funding stream for that project. All unexpended funds previously tied to the Strategic Investments account must be moved to the general fund by the 2026 deadline, with reports required to the legislature. This procedural bill directly affects state budget management and the penitentiary construction project's funding continuity.

Maddy summaryHB 98 amends Wyoming law to add criminal penalties for violating the Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act. It makes knowingly violating this law a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals who improperly seize firearms under the red flag law, such as law enforcement or officials acting outside legal authority. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying red flag seizure procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 102 prohibits the creation and distribution of AI-generated sexual images of children without consent (Section 6-4-307) and bans developing or distributing AI systems specifically designed to create or promote child sexual material (Section 6-4-308). It makes these acts felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fines, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses. The bill also clarifies that using AI to commit crimes isn’t a defense (Section 6-1-206) and provides limited immunity for AI developers who didn’t intend illegal use. It directly affects developers of AI tools, distributors of nonconsensual deepfakes, and individuals using AI to exploit children.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 120 creates "industrial sovereign zones" where natural gas producers and manufacturers can transform gas into new products (like hydrogen or ammonia) through substantial chemical changes. It provides tax exemptions for facilities in these zones, fast-track permitting for new manufacturing operations, and establishes a voluntary "gold standard" certification for products with low methane emissions (under 0.2%). The bill directly affects natural gas producers selling to these facilities and manufacturers building new processing plants within designated zones. Key provisions include streamlined licensing, tax breaks for machinery and gas sales, and certification standards to promote Wyoming-made products as distinct from raw fossil fuels.

Maddy summarySF 95 authorizes Wyoming's Department of Motor Vehicles to partner with third-party organizations (like businesses or community centers) to provide specific driver's license and motor vehicle services, such as written and driving tests. The bill creates a "Motor Vehicle Division Partner Program" requiring the department to establish rules for third-party provider qualifications, training, background checks, and monitoring to ensure service quality and security. It specifies that these third parties are not considered government entities and must follow all federal and state laws. The program aims to expand service access points while maintaining regulatory oversight through defined standards and fee structures. (Effective July 1, 2026.)

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 128 provides a 5-year severance tax exemption for oil and gas operators using certified advanced extraction methods (tertiary production) between July 2026 and July 2031. It directly affects oil and gas producers who implement qualifying projects approved by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after July 1, 2026. The bill requires annual reports by the Commission and Department detailing production volumes, qualifying operators, wells, and the tax savings from the exemption. This exemption applies specifically to severance taxes under Wyoming law, with reports due each November 1 from 2026 through 2036.

Maddy summarySF 107 creates a statewide electronic system for processing motor vehicle registrations and license plates in Wyoming. The Department of Transportation must implement this system by July 1, 2028, to handle all registration transactions (like renewals and transfers), plate issuance, and fee processing for registration, specialty plates, and sales taxes. County treasurers are required to use this system for their vehicle registration duties instead of older methods, and the state may charge a $5 transaction fee to cover system costs. The bill also mandates electronic record-sharing between counties and the state, with development part of replacing the existing revenue system.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 110 establishes a lower property tax assessment rate for primary residences owned by residents who live there year-round. It sets an 8.3% assessment rate for owner-occupied primary homes (down from 9.5%) while maintaining a 9.5% rate for other residential properties. To qualify for the lower rate, homeowners must submit an annual claim to their county assessor by May 4th, demonstrating they occupy the property as their primary residence for at least six months. The bill repeals an existing exemption for primary residences and takes effect for the 2027 tax year.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 112 eliminates the requirement for vehicle owners to replace license plates on a fixed schedule (e.g., every 8 years). Instead, plates must only be replaced when they become permanently unreadable due to wear, fading, corrosion, or damage - not from temporary issues like snow or mud. The bill adds a $8 fee for replacement plates meeting this standard, while maintaining existing rules for specialty plates (like University of Wyoming or wildlife conservation plates) that still require periodic redesigns. This change directly affects all vehicle owners needing to replace damaged plates, shifting the requirement from routine renewal to condition-based replacement.