Sen. Jared Olsen

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 60 requires all public schools, the University of Wyoming, and Wyoming community colleges to designate athletic teams by sex and prohibits male students from competing on teams designated for female students. The bill creates legal remedies allowing schools or students harmed by violations to seek damages, attorney fees, and injunctions through private lawsuits within two years of the violation. It defines "female" and "male" based on biological reproductive systems and prohibits schools from participating in female-designated sports with teams known to include male students. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for all institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the state sales tax on firearms and ammunition purchased in Wyoming. It creates a new tax exemption for these items under existing sales and use tax laws, effective July 1, 2025. The exemption applies to all buyers purchasing firearms or ammunition subject to Wyoming's tax code, directly affecting consumers and retailers selling these products. The change removes a financial cost at the point of sale but does not alter firearm ownership laws or definitions.

Maddy summaryHB 124 repeals the excise tax on malt beverages (like beer) in Wyoming, removing a tax of $0.005 per liter that previously applied to beer sales. It also adjusts limits for personal importation of malt beverages, allowing individuals to bring in up to five (5) gallons for personal use without paying state taxes. The bill directly affects beer wholesalers, retailers, and consumers who import beer for personal use. Key changes include removing the tax collection requirement for malt beverages and updating importation rules, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not change taxes on wine or distilled spirits.

Maddy summaryHB 149 prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against adoption and foster care agencies that decline placements based on religious beliefs. It specifically protects religious organizations (including faith-based groups) that provide these services, ensuring they cannot be excluded or penalized for refusing to place children with same-sex couples or others due to sincerely held religious convictions. The law creates new legal protections requiring government entities to avoid actions that conflict with an agency’s religious practices, consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedents like *Fulton v. Philadelphia*. It directly affects adoption/foster care providers and government agencies managing child welfare services in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 229 designates the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum in Laramie County as a state historic site managed by Wyoming's Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. The bill requires the department to create a strategic master plan for preservation and operations within one year, including partnerships with local entities, and authorizes fees to fund site maintenance, development, and staff. These fees must be deposited into the state parks account, with annual financial reports submitted to the legislature. The bill also specifies $3.3 million in existing funds for site operations, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Wyoming hospitals to implement random drug and alcohol testing for employees and job applicants in safety-sensitive roles (like nurses or surgical staff). It mandates that employees testing positive be temporarily removed from such duties, undergo counseling through the Wyoming Professional Assistance Program, and provide a negative test before returning. The bill also clarifies that marijuana use remains unlawful under state and federal law regardless of local decriminalization, and excludes prescribed medications (not schedule 1 drugs) from treatment requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with immediate implementation for rulemaking provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $79 million from Wyoming's general fund to remodel the state veterans' home in Buffalo, Wyoming. It specifies that construction costs must not exceed $103.85 million total, including state funds, federal funds received for the facility, and other authorized spending. The bill requires federal funds received for the veterans' home to offset the state appropriation dollar-for-dollar, reducing the state's required contribution. Any unspent state funds remaining after project completion must revert to the general fund, per state law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 109 allows any student residing in a school district to enroll in any public school within that district starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Students living within a school's attendance area get priority, followed by those with siblings already enrolled at that school. School districts may deny enrollment only if a school lacks space at the requested grade level or if a student is suspended/expelled. Districts must publish open enrollment vacancies online every 12 weeks and report enrollment data to the state superintendent annually. This policy affects all K-12 students and school districts across Wyoming, without requiring new programs at individual schools.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 116) creates new criminal offenses for money laundering and illegal investments. It defines money laundering as knowingly handling property derived from crime (like cash from theft or fraud) or structuring transactions to evade reporting rules. The law imposes penalties of up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fines for these offenses, effective July 2025. It directly affects individuals, businesses, and financial institutions involved in transactions that conceal criminal proceeds or bypass required reporting. The bill updates Wyoming's criminal code to align with federal anti-money laundering standards.

Maddy summarySF 144 creates the Wyoming-Ireland Trade Commission to promote economic collaboration between Wyoming and Ireland. The commission, composed of nine appointed members (including representatives from Wyoming businesses, higher education, and the Irish-American community), will focus on expanding trade, investment, and business/academic exchanges. It requires quarterly meetings, annual reports to the governor and legislature, and reimburses non-legislative members for travel and per diem expenses. This bill directly establishes a formal structure to advance Wyoming-Ireland economic partnerships, affecting businesses, educational institutions, and the Irish-American community through their representation on the commission.