Rep. Chip Neiman

Maddy summaryHB 194, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible Wyoming students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover approved educational expenses. It directly affects K-12 students who are Wyoming residents and not yet graduated, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational services. The state treasurer administers the program, prohibits using local tax revenues for funding, and requires parents to sign agreements outlining permitted uses. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 260 creates the Wyoming Firearms Research Center Oversight Commission to guide the University of Wyoming's planned firearms research center. The commission, with eight members (including a legislative appointee and seven from gun-related groups, industry, law enforcement, and county attorneys), reviews the center's mission and recommends how it should focus on firearms culture and traditions in Wyoming. It also facilitates agreements between the university center and Wyoming stakeholders and advises the legislature on funding. The bill appropriates $2,500 for the legislative member's expenses and $17,500 for other members, with funds expiring June 30, 2024. The commission must meet annually but has no compensation beyond travel reimbursement.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HJ 11 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to change federal regulations so agricultural producers can directly access medically important antibiotics for livestock without needing a veterinarian's supervision. Currently, FDA rules require these antibiotics (used in feed or water) to be dispensed under a licensed veterinarian's oversight, which the resolution claims causes delays in treating livestock. The resolution specifically asks Congress to eliminate this vet-supervision requirement and allow over-the-counter access for Wyoming farmers. This would directly affect Wyoming livestock producers by altering how they obtain antibiotics for animal health care.

Maddy summaryHB 235 would have required Wyoming school district board trustees to be sworn in and begin serving their duties on the same day as their election, replacing the current requirement that allowed them until December 1st or within 10 days of notification. This change would directly affect newly elected or appointed school board members across all Wyoming school districts. The bill amended Wyoming Statute 21-3-106 to eliminate the existing deadline for taking the oath. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee in February 2023 and never became law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 110 creates a property tax exemption for small business owners who own tangible personal property valued at $2,400 or less in a single county. This directly affects small business owners with minimal business assets, excluding property used for personal or family purposes. The bill modifies existing tax law to exempt qualifying business property from taxation, effective January 1, 2024, and repeals related reporting requirements. It does not change tax rates or apply to property assessed before 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 196, the Wyoming Infrastructure Protection Act, requires the state's homeland security office to create a reporting system for suspicious activity involving foreign countries designated as threats to critical infrastructure. The governor can designate countries (including those labeled state sponsors of terrorism or deemed risky) and mandate reports on real estate deals, contracts, or other activities near infrastructure like power plants, water systems, or communications networks. The bill authorizes two new state positions (critical infrastructure analyst and energy analyst) and allocates $203,000 for implementation, effective July 1, 2023. It directly affects Wyoming government entities, businesses operating near critical infrastructure, and foreign entities engaging in contracts or property transactions in the state.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 259 would require runoff elections for governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, state superintendent, and federal offices if no candidate wins over 50% of votes in a party primary. The runoff would feature the top two candidates (determined by vote count or drawing lots for ties) and must be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in August during general election years. The bill specifies a standardized ballot format for runoffs, including clear voting instructions and office groupings. All costs for runoffs would be covered by the secretary of state, who would reimburse counties using a dedicated account. This bill is proposed legislation (not yet enacted) and would take effect only if a related constitutional amendment is approved.

Maddy summaryHJ 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to adjust Wyoming's timeline for legislative redistricting after the federal census. Currently, the legislature must complete redistricting by December 10 following census data. The amendment would allow the legislature to set a new deadline, enabling primary elections to be held in May with runoff elections if needed. If redistricting is required, the legislature would still need to convene a special session of up to 10 days. This amendment must be approved by voters to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 205 prohibits K-12 public school educators and state employees from using public funds to teach or require training on specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or national origin. It bans instruction claiming any group is inherently superior/inferior, that individuals should be discriminated against based on identity, or that people are inherently racist due to their background. Exceptions allow teaching historical oppression or using primary sources in approved curricula. Violations may trigger civil penalties up to $5,000 per incident, private lawsuits for damages, or disciplinary action against educators. The bill is pending in Wyoming's legislature (introduced January 2023, not yet considered for debate).

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.