Rep. Chip Neiman

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 154 clarifies that voting more than once in the same federal election - including voting in another state and then voting in Wyoming - is considered illegal "false voting." It directly affects voters who attempt to cast multiple ballots across states for the same election and election officials responsible for enforcement. The bill adds specific language to the false voting statute and authorizes the Secretary of State to request investigations into such cases, requiring county sheriffs to investigate when requested and refer cases to prosecutors if warranted. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThe Wyoming Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 207) protects individuals and religious organizations from government actions that interfere with their religious practices, unless the government proves it has a compelling reason and uses the least restrictive approach possible. It defines government interference as denying benefits, imposing penalties, excluding from programs, or blocking access to facilities, and requires strict justification for such actions. People affected by these government actions can challenge them in court to seek remedies like injunctions, compensation, or other relief. The law applies to all state and local laws, rules, and policies, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 94 removes a limit on the number of charter schools the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board can approve, effective March 15, 2025. Previously, the board could authorize no more than three (later amended to four) charter schools operated by entities other than school districts before July 1, 2026. The bill eliminates this cap, allowing the board to authorize any number of charter schools meeting statutory requirements. It directly affects the authorizing board and organizations seeking to establish new charter schools outside school district management.

Maddy summarySF 127 requires the Wyoming legislature to approve "major agency rules" before they take effect. This affects state agencies creating significant regulations (like environmental or business rules) and the legislature, which must vote to approve or reject these rules within the next regular or special session after receiving them. The bill establishes a timeline for review, specifies that rules not approved become void, and allows the governor to temporarily bypass this for emergency rules (limited to 120 days). Key provisions include requiring agencies to provide impact analyses and ensuring rules cannot take effect without legislative approval, except for short-term emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 64 requires healthcare providers to offer an ultrasound to women seeking a chemical abortion (using drugs) at least 48 hours before dispensing the medication. The ultrasound must show the fetus and, if audible, the heartbeat, and providers must document details like the date, physician, and fetal age. Before providing the abortion drugs, the physician or pharmacist must verify the ultrasound occurred. The law excludes exceptions for life-saving care, ectopic pregnancy, or medical treatments where the fetus may be harmed, and penalties for non-compliance apply only to providers (not patients). This directly affects women seeking medication abortions and the healthcare facilities providing them in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 121, the "Hospital Price Transparency Act," requires Wyoming hospitals to publicly list detailed pricing for all services and items they provide. Specifically, hospitals must display a machine-readable online list showing standard charges - including gross charges, negotiated rates with insurers, and discounted cash prices - for every service, plus a simplified consumer-friendly list for common "shoppable" services like routine procedures. This applies to all licensed Wyoming hospitals and must be posted on their websites free of charge, without requiring login or personal information. The law also prohibits debt collection actions against patients from facilities that fail to comply and directs the Department of Health to monitor enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 144 clarifies the membership requirements for Wyoming county canvassing boards that certify election results. It specifies that boards must include the county clerk plus two voters from different political parties, appointed by the county clerk if major party committees fail to select members. The bill updates election code sections to require this bipartisan composition, sets compensation equal to election judges, and mandates that canvassing for special district elections be completed within seven business days. This affects county clerks, election boards, and voters in all counties conducting elections.

Maddy summarySF 132 prohibits operating drones over critical infrastructure (including power plants, water facilities, hospitals, prisons, and military sites) for intentional photography, loitering, or criminal activity. Exceptions allow federal-authorized drone use, government operations, infrastructure owners, model aircraft in parks, and emergency services like police or disaster response teams. Violations face misdemeanor penalties ($2,500 fine or 6 months jail) for first offenses, escalating to felony charges ($5,000 fine or 2 years jail) for repeat violations. Law enforcement may disable violating drones, and the Wyoming National Guard can assist with enforcement, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 prohibits state agencies, schools, and colleges from using public funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or activities. The bill bans funding for DEI offices, hiring DEI staff, requiring DEI statements, giving preference based on race or gender, and mandating DEI training - unless required by federal law or court orders. Exceptions include academic courses, scholarly research, student organization activities, and data collection related to diversity efforts, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 249 requires runoff elections for Wyoming's governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, state superintendent of public instruction, and federal offices when no primary candidate receives over 50% of the vote. If a runoff is needed, the top two candidates from the primary advance to a runoff held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in August, with ballot rules specifying how voters mark choices for candidates or write-ins. The bill creates a runoff election account funded by the state to cover costs, including reimbursement to counties for runoff administration. It directly affects voters and candidates in primary elections for these specific statewide and federal offices by changing nomination procedures when no majority is achieved.