Rep. Chip Neiman

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming state and local governments from using private donations to fund voter registration, election preparation, or election administration. It specifically bans accepting or spending private funds for these election activities, with exceptions for the Secretary of State using private funds for election training/education and providing food to poll workers on election day. Federal funds for elections remain unaffected by this prohibition. The law takes effect July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits anyone from collecting, soliciting, or submitting completed absentee ballots for voters unless the voter personally initiates contact and provides written authorization. It directly affects voters, election workers, and organizations that might handle ballots, making unauthorized collection a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine. Key provisions require written voter authorization for ballot collection and mandate the Secretary of State to create implementing rules. The law amends Wyoming election statutes to clarify these restrictions and penalties, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 141 appropriates $1.2 million from Wyoming's general fund to the Governor's office for lawsuits challenging state or federal laws that block Wyoming coal exports or cause early closures of coal-fired power plants using Wyoming coal. The funds are specifically for litigation to defend Wyoming's coal industry against legal actions that impede coal exports or force plant shutdowns. The appropriation expires on June 30, 2030, with unspent funds reverting to the state treasury. The Governor and Attorney General must submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing how the funds were used in these lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHB 140 requires landowners to obtain a permit from their county commission before creating a conservation easement, effective July 1, 2022. It limits all new conservation easements to a maximum 30-year duration (with possible renewal) and establishes a formal application process including survey requirements and a 45-day review timeline by the county board. The bill also mandates that county commissions adopt rules for implementation and specifies that fees for permits (capped at processing costs) fund the county general fund. This directly affects landowners seeking to create easements, county commissions managing permits, and the Wyoming Wildlife Trust Account, which cannot fund non-compliant easements.

Maddy summaryHB 139 prohibits Wyoming state agencies and local governments from using public funds or staff resources for projects involving permanent conservation easements or federal conservation efforts. It specifically restricts compliance with the Biden administration's goal to conserve 30% of U.S. land and water by 2030, requiring state agencies to host workshops on tax impacts of conservation easements and track local resolutions opposing the federal mandate. The bill directs the Department of Agriculture to maintain online lists of jurisdictions supporting or opposing the 30x30 goal and designates a state coordinator for federal climate programs. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, landowners, and agricultural/mining industries by limiting state cooperation with federal conservation programs. The bill failed to pass in 2022 (30-30 vote).

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 64 (proposed in 2022) required public utilities operating coal-fired power plants over 200 megawatts to consider installing carbon capture technology if planning to retire those facilities. It gave utilities three options: install the technology themselves (with cost recovery rules), partner with a third party for installation, or sell the facility to a buyer who will install it, while requiring utilities to report on these plans. The bill also mandated the Public Service Commission to publish a list of retiring plants and hold hearings on third-party proposals for carbon capture. However, the bill was withdrawn by its sponsor on February 18, 2022, and never became law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 138 creates the Hope Scholarship Program, providing state-funded scholarships to eligible Wyoming K-12 students. It directly affects Wyoming residents enrolled in public schools who qualify (e.g., attending public school for 45+ days annually), with funds usable at participating private schools. The program establishes a scholarship account funded through state education appropriations (2% of public school funding or per-student amounts), administered by a nine-member board including state education officials. Funds cover qualifying education expenses, with annual transfers from the state education budget to the scholarship program fund. The bill defines key terms like "eligible recipient" and "participating schools" but does not specify implementation timelines beyond the 2023 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires Wyoming's political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) to hold bond elections only on days when a primary or general election is scheduled, aligning bond votes with existing statewide election cycles. Exceptions allow bond elections on specific dates in May or August for natural disasters or emergencies, with the secretary of state mandated to create emergency rules by July 1, 2022. The bill also requires local governments to provide 110 days' written notice of bond elections to the county clerk, detailing bond purposes and terms. This change directly affects how local entities schedule and conduct bond elections for projects like infrastructure or public facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hunting, fishing, or trapping on private land without the owner's permission, including traveling across such land. It directly affects hunters, anglers, and trappers who enter private property without consent. The law expands existing penalties to include travel across private land, imposing fines up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or forfeiture of illegally taken game. It became effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryHB 74 would require runoff elections in Wyoming for statewide and legislative offices (including governor, state treasurer, and state legislature) if no candidate receives a majority (over 50%) of votes in the primary election. The top two vote-getters would advance to the runoff, with specific tie-breaking procedures for tied vote counts. The bill also changes primary election timing to the first Tuesday after the third Monday in August and standardizes runoff ballot formats to include clear voting instructions and write-in options. This bill was introduced in 2022 but was not considered for advancement by the legislature.