Judiciary

HB 178 prohibits public employers from automatically deducting union dues or fees from public employees' paychecks. It requires public employee unions to annually report detailed financial information to members, including membership numbers, revenue sources, and spending over $5,000 (such as political activities or legal services), with reports distributed to members, posted online, and available upon request. The bill applies to all public employee unions in Wyoming, including those representing firefighters, and takes effect July 1, 2026. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, and unions already filing federal LM-2 reports are exempt from the annual reporting requirement.

Wyoming's HB 39 clarifies that individuals who have had their firearm rights restored under the laws of another state may legally possess firearms in Wyoming. The bill amends statutes (W.S. 6-8-102 and 6-10-106) to explicitly recognize out-of-state rights restoration as valid for Wyoming residents convicted of felonies or violent misdemeanors. This directly affects people with prior convictions who had their firearm rights restored in another jurisdiction but faced uncertainty under Wyoming law. The change takes effect immediately upon becoming law, removing barriers for these individuals to legally own firearms in Wyoming.

Wyoming's HB 96 lowers the minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18 years. It directly affects 18- to 20-year-olds who previously could not legally carry concealed weapons under state law. The bill amends permit eligibility requirements in statute and adds legal immunity for officials issuing or denying permits. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Wyoming's HB 92 prohibits individuals convicted of sex offenses from holding specific public offices. The bill bars registered sex offenders (as defined by Wyoming law) from running for or serving as school district trustees, community college board members, county/district attorneys, county commissioners, city/town governing body members, mayors, or county sheriffs. Election officials must refuse to certify ineligible candidates, and those already in office would be deemed vacant. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all offices filled on or after that date.

HB 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.