Rep. Clarence Styvar

Maddy summaryHB 159 prohibits unauthorized fees for advising on veterans benefits, directly affecting veterans seeking benefits and third-party advisors (like claim assistants). The bill requires written fee agreements meeting federal standards, mandates clear disclosures that free government services exist (including Wyoming Military Department and county agencies), and bans guarantees of specific benefit outcomes or pre-disagreement fees. It also prohibits excessive fees and requires advertising disclosures about free alternatives. Violations are treated as deceptive trade practices under Wyoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 161 amends Wyoming law to change how vacancies in county commissioner seats, other county elected offices, and state legislature positions are filled. If a county board fails to appoint a replacement within the required timeframe, a qualified voter can petition the district judge to fill the vacancy. The judge must appoint one of three qualified candidates submitted by the county central committee, or, if the committee fails to provide names, a person from the same political party as the previous officeholder (or any qualified person if no party was represented). This process applies to all affected offices starting July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 123 repeals mandatory immunization requirements for children attending child care facilities (such as daycares and preschools) in Wyoming. The bill removes existing laws requiring immunizations for enrollment at these facilities, effective July 1, 2024. Current requirements will remain in place until that date, after which child care facilities cannot enforce immunization mandates. This change specifically applies to child care settings and does not affect immunization rules for public schools or other health regulations.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 137 would require healthcare providers to show a pregnant person an ultrasound (including the heartbeat if audible) at least 48 hours before providing medication for a chemical abortion. The law mandates providers document the ultrasound details (date, time, physician, and fetal age) and verify the ultrasound occurred before dispensing abortion drugs. Violations could result in felony charges with fines up to $20,000 or up to five years in prison, though pregnant people would not face criminal penalties. This bill directly affects medical providers and individuals seeking medication-based abortions in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 190 requires schools to notify parents about student health changes, name/pronoun adjustments, and well-being questionnaires, while prohibiting classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for K-12 students. The bill mandates parental consent for school health services and prohibits schools from restricting parental access to student records or discouraging parent involvement in student welfare decisions. School staff violating these provisions face disciplinary action, and schools may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. The law directly affects K-12 students, parents/guardians, and school staff, with implementation set for the 2024-2025 school year. It also establishes legal remedies for parents alleging violations by schools or staff.

Maddy summaryHB 183 prohibits foreign governments, businesses, or individuals (defined as citizens of Russia, China, state sponsors of terrorism, or countries under specific arms regulations) from owning most land in Wyoming, allowing only personal residences under one acre. It requires existing foreign owners to sell their land by July 2026 (unless for a qualifying personal residence) and mandates annual registration with the Secretary of State for all foreign land ownership, including personal residences. Owners who fail to register face daily civil penalties of $5,000, and county clerks must report violations to the Attorney General for enforcement, which may include court-ordered forfeiture and sale of the land. The bill also requires tax assessment notices to inform owners about the foreign ownership restrictions and registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 117 would require bond election proposals held outside general elections to meet two conditions: a majority of votes cast must support the bonds, and at least 51% of voters from the most recent general election must participate. This applies only to local bond votes not held on the same day as general elections, directly affecting cities, counties, and school districts seeking to issue bonds. If turnout falls below 51%, the proposal cannot be resubmitted for at least 12 months. The bill, effective July 1, 2024, aims to ensure broader voter engagement in bond decisions. It does not affect bond elections held on general election days or those already completed before its effective date.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 210 repeals a requirement that banks and credit unions include specific disclosures on the face of checks and other payment instruments. The bill removes language from three statutes (W.S. 1-15-102, 13-1-701, and 40-14-505) that defined "financial institution" and mandated these disclosures. This directly affects Wyoming-based banks, credit unions, and out-of-state banks with Wyoming branches, eliminating a longstanding check-disclosure rule. The change takes effect July 1, 2024, streamlining banking regulations without altering other financial services.

Maddy summaryHB 182 prohibits payment processors from assigning special merchant category codes to firearm or ammunition retailers, requiring them to be classified as general merchandise or sporting goods retailers instead. This directly affects payment entities (like banks and credit card networks) and firearm retailers who must use standard retail codes. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per violation. The bill does not change gun laws or purchase requirements but modifies payment processing rules, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Wyoming minors aged 14-16 to obtain restricted class C or M driver's licenses with expanded driving permissions. It increases the permitted driving radius from 50 to 150 miles from their home and adds two new qualifying circumstances for "extreme inconvenience": needing to commute more than 5 miles to school or working in a parent's business. The bill maintains existing restrictions, including driving only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and requiring parental/guardian consent. The Department of Transportation must create implementing rules, and the changes would take effect July 1, 2024.