Rep. Paul Hoeft

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 summaryWyoming's SF 170 prohibits the state Game and Fish Commission and Department from taking any management actions for grizzly bears unless required by state law or necessary for public safety. The bill restricts agency activities until grizzly bears are federally delisted and management responsibility returns to Wyoming. It requires the commission to create implementing rules and takes effect immediately upon enactment. This procedural bill directly limits state agency authority over grizzly bear management without changing current federal or state protections.

Maddy summaryHB 135 (Wyoming) establishes rules for autologous and direct blood donations. It requires hospitals and licensed health facilities to allow patients to donate their own blood (autologous) or donate blood specifically for another person (direct) before a medical procedure, as ordered by a healthcare provider. Blood banks must follow these orders unless the donor has health conditions making donation unsafe, and may charge reasonable fees for facilitating and storing the blood. The bill directly affects hospitals, blood banks, and patients seeking pre-donated blood for future procedures. It takes effect July 1, 2025, with rulemaking by the Department of Health required for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 149 prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against adoption and foster care agencies that decline placements based on religious beliefs. It specifically protects religious organizations (including faith-based groups) that provide these services, ensuring they cannot be excluded or penalized for refusing to place children with same-sex couples or others due to sincerely held religious convictions. The law creates new legal protections requiring government entities to avoid actions that conflict with an agency’s religious practices, consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedents like *Fulton v. Philadelphia*. It directly affects adoption/foster care providers and government agencies managing child welfare services in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 169 creates a temporary property tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners, reducing their tax bill by 50% on the first $1 million of their home's value for tax years 2025 and 2026. It applies to single-family residential properties like houses, mobile homes, and condos, directly benefiting homeowners who own these properties. The state will compensate local governments and schools for lost revenue using $125 million from the general fund, with funds expiring after June 2027. The exemption does not apply to tax year 2027 or later.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Wyoming hospitals to implement random drug and alcohol testing for employees and job applicants in safety-sensitive roles (like nurses or surgical staff). It mandates that employees testing positive be temporarily removed from such duties, undergo counseling through the Wyoming Professional Assistance Program, and provide a negative test before returning. The bill also clarifies that marijuana use remains unlawful under state and federal law regardless of local decriminalization, and excludes prescribed medications (not schedule 1 drugs) from treatment requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with immediate implementation for rulemaking provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 174 lowers Wyoming's minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18 years old. It directly affects residents aged 18 and older who wish to carry concealed firearms. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 6-8-104(b)(ii) to reflect this age change, while repealing an outdated section (6-8-104(j)). The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

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.