Maddy summaryHB 128 amends Wyoming's public health emergency laws to require the governor to declare when such an emergency exists or ends, then convene the legislature within two days for a vote on whether to concur with the declaration or terminate it. The bill allows the legislature to meet in person or remotely via electronic means to satisfy quorum and vote during emergencies. It updates the definition of "public health emergency" to include threats like pandemics or biological toxins, and clarifies that temporary health care provider licenses issued during emergencies (e.g., for out-of-state professionals) automatically end when the governor declares the emergency over. The changes apply to emergencies declared on or after July 1, 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 217 requires Wyoming county clerks to conduct a random hand count audit of ballots in one precinct per county after each primary and general election. The Secretary of State randomly selects the precinct, and the county clerk must compare the hand count results to the electronic tabulation within one week of the election, reporting the findings immediately. This bill adds a new verification step to existing election audits, mandating that the Secretary of State adopt implementing rules by September 2025. It directly affects county clerks (who perform audits) and the Secretary of State (who selects precincts and creates rules), but does not change voting procedures or ballot access.
Maddy summaryHB 194 creates a new misdemeanor crime for distributing material deemed "harmful to minors" to individuals under 18. It directly affects anyone who shares such material - like books, films, or online content - via digital means, in-person, or at events targeting minors. The bill defines "harmful to minors" by three criteria: material appealing to prurient interests in minors, patently offensive to adult standards for minors, and lacking literary/scientific value for minors. It repeals an existing exemption that previously protected school, library, and museum staff from obscenity charges when handling materials in their work. The law imposes fines up to $6,000 or up to one year in jail for violations, effective July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 182 clarifies that for voting purposes in Wyoming, "residence" refers only to a person's primary home where they actually live and intend to return, excluding secondary or commercial addresses not used for habitation. The bill amends election code definitions to prevent voters from registering using vacation homes, rental properties, or business locations as their official residence. It directly affects Wyoming voters who might attempt to register at non-primary addresses. The bill died in committee in March 2025 and never became law, with no effective date implemented.
Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 223, the "Wyoming Anti-SLAPP Act," creates legal immunity for individuals and groups exercising constitutional rights (free speech, petition, expression) in public discussions about matters of community concern. It allows defendants to quickly dismiss lawsuits deemed "strategic" (SLAPPs) meant to silence criticism, requiring plaintiffs to prove their case has merit before trial. If a defendant successfully invokes immunity, they can recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees. This law applies to all public discourse on issues like government actions, community projects, or policy debates, protecting citizens and organizations from being forced into costly legal battles simply for speaking out.
Maddy summaryHB 134 prohibits state and federal funds from being used by public entities - including government agencies, schools, universities, and local governments - to sponsor or contribute to events deemed "sexually explicit." It defines such events as those depicting nudity or sexual conduct (excluding age-appropriate sex education) and establishes a process where specific entities (e.g., school boards or the governor) must determine if an event qualifies within 30 days. If funds were improperly used, recipients must repay the money within 20 business days, with appeals allowed through a formal hearing process. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 131 prohibits the use of drop boxes for returning absentee ballots in Wyoming. The bill amends state election law to require voters to mail or hand-deliver absentee ballots directly to county clerks, banning all receptacles designed for ballot collection outside these methods. It directly affects voters and election officials by eliminating a common alternative to postal delivery for absentee voting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 173 modifies requirements for independent candidates running for partisan offices in Wyoming. It requires candidates to swear they are unaffiliated with major parties or not registered with one, increases the signature requirement from 2% to 5% of votes cast for the relevant office in the last general election, and extends the petition filing deadline from 70 to 81 days before the primary election. These changes directly affect independent candidates seeking statewide, county, or district offices. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 238 prohibits individuals from delivering another voter's ballot to a county clerk, except for immediate family members or ballots mailed directly to the clerk. It directly affects voters who might collect others' ballots and election officials who process them, requiring ballots delivered in violation to be excluded from tabulation. The bill creates a felony penalty for knowingly violating this provision, punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. It amends Wyoming election law to clarify ballot delivery rules and takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 31 requires all Wyoming school districts to adopt formal safety and security policies, including threat assessment procedures, by their boards of trustees. These policies and drafts must remain confidential and not be public records, allowing school boards to discuss them in closed sessions. The bill also limits the state fire marshal's authority by prohibiting bans on door securement devices used under these policies, though the marshal may create rules for their proper use during threats or drills. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting school districts and the state fire marshal's regulatory role.