Rep. Chip Neiman

Maddy summaryHB 289 removes restrictions on bed expansions for hospitals and nursing care facilities in Wyoming. It repeals existing limits that previously required state approval before adding beds, instead requiring health department reviews only for safety and health compliance. The bill mandates that the Department of Health report to lawmakers by September 2029 on how the changes affect facility construction and operations. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 327 would change who appoints Wyoming's attorney general, shifting authority from the governor to a majority of the state loan and investment board (an elected body). The bill requires this board's approval for the attorney general to settle lawsuits or take certain legal actions on behalf of the state. It also specifies that vacancies would be filled by the board, not the governor. This bill focuses solely on the appointment process and oversight structure, not the attorney general's duties or legal authority. The bill died in committee in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 199, titled the "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act" (not "Steamboat Legacy," which appears to be a misreference), creates a state-funded scholarship program for K-12 students in Wyoming. It increases the maximum annual scholarship from $6,000 to $7,000 for students at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, with annual inflation adjustments, and funds it through a new "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Program Account" using state education revenues. The bill eliminates mandatory certification for private schools and providers but adds voluntary registration, while prohibiting funding from local taxes. It directly affects low-income Wyoming families seeking to use scholarships for public, private, or online education options.

Maddy summaryHB 72 requires public facilities in Wyoming, including schools, correctional facilities, and government buildings, to designate multi-occupancy changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters exclusively for males or females. It prohibits access to opposite-sex designated areas and allows individuals to sue public entities if they encounter someone of the opposite sex in a designated space, unless exceptions apply (like single-occupancy unisex rooms, medical emergencies, or cleaning staff). The bill defines "female" and "male" biologically and specifies that civil lawsuits must be filed within two years of a violation, with successful plaintiffs able to recover attorney fees. This directly affects public facility operators and users in shared spaces, aiming to enforce single-sex facility use through legal accountability.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 195 creates a small business emergency bridge loan program administered by the Department of Agriculture. It provides short-term, interest-free loans (up to $1.5 million) to Wyoming small businesses physically located in counties where the governor declares a natural disaster has occurred. Eligible businesses must have been operating before the disaster, have a 50% owner with a 550+ credit score, and use funds solely for disaster recovery like repairing damaged property or replacing equipment - not for expansion. Loans require repayment within three years and must be secured by insurance proceeds or business assets.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (HB 123) modifies the state's adverse possession law by stopping the 10-year clock for someone claiming ownership through long-term occupation whenever the property owner pays all property taxes. It directly affects property owners who pay taxes and individuals attempting adverse possession claims. The key provision states that the adverse possession timeline pauses during any period the owner has paid all taxes on the property. The law applies to claims starting after July 1, 2025, and takes effect on that date.

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 changes how vacant elected offices in Wyoming are filled. It requires state or county committees to appoint replacements from a pre-approved list if vacancies aren't filled by the original deadline, and creates an automatic presumption that appointed individuals meet all legal qualifications for the office. The process applies to most state offices (excluding congressional seats or school board positions), with state committees handling certain vacancies and county committees managing others. If appointments aren't made within specified timeframes, a special election may be triggered under defined conditions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 77 requires ride-share drivers in Wyoming to provide proof of Wyoming motor vehicle registration before they can operate through transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft). Specifically, ride-share companies must verify that drivers submit a copy of their Wyoming vehicle registration for the vehicle they use to provide rides. This requirement applies to all drivers using Wyoming-registered vehicles for ride-sharing services and takes effect on July 1, 2025. The bill does not create new fees or alter driver licensing rules, only mandating registration verification as a precondition for drivers to work.

Maddy summaryHB 100 allows Wyoming school districts and charter schools to hire certain K-12 staff without teaching certificates or permits, provided they adopt specific board policies. These policies require applicants to be at least 18 years old and undergo criminal background checks, including fingerprinting. The bill amends existing laws to permit this hiring path while maintaining background check requirements for uncertified personnel. It takes effect July 1, 2025.