Rep. Liz Storer

Maddy summaryHB 178 increases Wyoming employees' time off to vote from one hour to two hours during election hours (polling hours) for primary, general, or special elections to fill a U.S. House of Representatives seat. It ensures employees do not lose pay for this time off when they cast a legal vote, applying to all eligible voters except those with three or more consecutive nonworking hours during polling. The bill modifies existing law (W.S. 22-2-111) to clarify these provisions and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects Wyoming workers participating in federal elections who need to vote during standard work hours.

Maddy summaryHB 334 would allow private individuals or entities to own water rights specifically for instream flow purposes (water flowing in rivers for environmental health), currently restricted to state ownership. It amends Wyoming law to remove the prohibition against private ownership of such rights and permits the sale, transfer, or conveyance of these rights under defined restrictions. The bill requires that any acquired or changed water rights for instream flows be limited to a specific river segment, with the original priority date preserved. This change would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 216 prohibits animal control facilities in Wyoming from euthanizing pets using methods like gas chambers, carbon monoxide, or nonanesthetic gases. Instead, facilities must use injection methods (intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intracardiac after unconsciousness) for all pets, including dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The bill requires facilities to adopt training policies for staff performing euthanasia and maintain records of training, with violations classified as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. It applies specifically to animal control facilities handling stray, surrendered, or neglected household pets, excluding livestock. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 239, the Reproductive Freedom Act, establishes that Wyoming residents have the right to abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb (viability) or to protect the person's life or health, prohibiting state interference with this right. It defines key terms like "abortion" and "viability," and specifies that unauthorized abortions (outside these limits) are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine. The bill also protects healthcare providers’ professional judgment on viability or health risks, allows religious or ethical objections to participating in abortions without discrimination, and requires state-funded pregnancy programs to provide equivalent information about abortion options. It directly affects all Wyoming residents seeking abortion care, healthcare providers, and state programs offering reproductive services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund to support recreational and tourism projects across the state. It creates a 9-member board (appointed by the governor) to manage the fund, approve grants for recreation projects, and ensure projects benefit both residents and visitors. The board must prioritize multi-partner projects, consult with tribal governments, and consider community impacts when reviewing grant applications. Funds will support small projects approved directly by the board and larger projects requiring legislative committee review.

Maddy summaryHB 213 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to preschool providers serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk students in Wyoming. It establishes a $50 million endowment fund (funded by a July 1, 2024 transfer from the public school foundation account) and an expenditure account to distribute grants. Eligible providers (including school districts and nonprofit/private organizations) can apply for grants up to $50,000 annually to cover specific costs like teacher salaries, facility leases, parent training, and early childhood learning materials. Grants must be used solely for qualifying student services and require applications submitted by May 15 each year, with awards distributed by October 1.

Maddy summaryThe Reproductive Freedom Act (HB 76) would protect Wyoming residents' right to access abortion care before a fetus is viable or to protect the patient's life or health, prohibiting state interference with this right. It sets penalties for unauthorized abortions performed by providers (misdemeanor with up to one year in jail or $5,000 fine) while exempting patients and those assisting patients in exercising this right. The bill requires any state regulations on abortion to be medically necessary, consistent with medical practice, and impose the least restrictions possible. Additionally, it allows health care providers and private facilities to refuse to perform abortions without facing discrimination or professional penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 205 creates a new legal framework for cities, towns, and counties in Wyoming to enter into development agreements with property owners. The bill requires these agreements to lock in existing zoning, building codes, and land use rules at the time of signing - meaning future changes to those rules won't override the agreement. Key provisions include specifying agreement duration, permitted land uses, building height limits, public facility requirements, and construction timelines. It also ensures agreements remain enforceable even if local land use plans change, and sets conditions for annexation of unincorporated land. This directly affects local governments, developers, and property owners by stabilizing development terms during project planning.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending the Wyoming Constitution to remove the legislature's authority to set "reasonable and necessary restrictions" on health care decisions or payment. If approved by voters, it would eliminate Article 1, Section 38(c), directly affecting all Wyoming residents by ensuring their right to make personal health care choices without legislative interference in defining those limits. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the state constitution. It focuses on constitutional language, not specific health care policies or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 112 would impose a 1% tax on real estate sales exceeding $1 million, collected from buyers at closing. It affects homeowners and property buyers in Wyoming whose transactions surpass this threshold, though it includes numerous exemptions (e.g., agricultural land, transfers between spouses, gifts, and nonprofit transfers). The tax revenue would fund property tax relief by reducing the property tax assessment ratio, though specific implementation details are not outlined in the bill text. The bill failed to advance in the Wyoming House on February 13, 2024, with a vote of 8-53.