Rep. Paul Hoeft

Maddy summaryHB 220 limits new conservation easements in Wyoming to a maximum 30-year duration, effective July 1, 2025, with an option for renewal upon expiration. It directly affects landowners, conservation groups, and government agencies creating or funding new easements after that date, requiring all new agreements to comply with this time limit. The bill amends existing law to prohibit recording or assigning easements exceeding 30 years and prevents state funds from being used for non-compliant easements. Existing easements created before July 1, 2025, remain unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryHB 146 increases penalties for taking stray livestock without the owner's consent in Wyoming. It sets a minimum $750 fine (up from prior) and maximum $1,500 fine for first offenses, and a minimum $1,500 fine with a maximum $3,000 fine for second or subsequent offenses under W.S. 11-24-103. The bill directly affects individuals who take, retain, or restrain lost animals without the owner's knowledge or permission. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and modifies existing penalties for violations of livestock estray laws.

Maddy summaryHB 338 requires the Wyoming Legislative Service Office to publish a daily list of email domains and IP addresses blocked from delivering messages to state legislators. It allows anyone whose emails to legislators have been blocked to request removal, and the office must process such requests within two days unless a security threat exists. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, aiming to increase transparency about email delivery issues and provide a clear resolution process for the public.

Maddy summaryHB 187 amends Wyoming's theft penalties to increase sentencing for certain offenses. It raises the felony threshold for most property theft from $500 to $1,000 (while keeping firearms/horses at $500), and increases misdemeanor penalties for lower-value thefts. Repeat offenders (fifth or subsequent theft convictions) face felony charges with up to 10 years in prison, $10,000 fines, or both. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of theft, shoplifting, or related property crimes under Wyoming law. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 252 repeals a three-year tax exemption for new wind energy production in Wyoming, effective immediately upon enactment. It directly affects new wind energy projects by removing a tax break previously available for the first three years of operation. However, wind turbines that began generating electricity for sale before the bill's effective date will retain the exemption under the repealed provision. The bill makes no changes to existing wind energy operations but alters tax treatment for future projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming officials from enforcing any mask, vaccine, or testing requirements related to COVID-19 or its variants based on guidance from the CDC or WHO. It declares these federal and international health organizations have no jurisdiction in Wyoming for such mandates. The law directly affects Wyoming residents, healthcare providers, and state/local officials who might otherwise comply with CDC/WHO recommendations. It does not alter state public health authority or address health measures unrelated to COVID-19.

Maddy summaryHB 287 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully use self-defense in criminal cases and are found not guilty, have charges dismissed, or are released from prosecution. It also mandates courts to automatically expunge all related criminal records in these cases, removing arrest and prosecution history from public records. The bill directly affects people facing criminal charges who defend themselves, streamlining access to reimbursement and record removal through simplified court petitions with no filing fees.

Maddy summaryHB 158 requires Wyoming's legislature to install an electronic voting system in both chambers of the state capitol. It appropriates $250,000 from the general fund specifically for planning, purchasing, and installing devices at each legislator's desk to cast votes electronically, with systems required to display results in chambers and online. The bill mandates security measures to ensure votes are cast by individual legislators and specifies that any additional system functions must fit within the budget. The funds must be spent by June 30, 2026, and unspent money reverts to the state. This bill directly affects Wyoming legislators and their voting process, with no policy changes beyond modernizing the voting mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 145 requires absentee voters in Wyoming to include specific identification information on a designated envelope inside their ballot package. Voters must provide either their Wyoming driver's license number, Wyoming ID card number, or the last four digits of their social security number. This change applies to all absentee ballots and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects voters who choose absentee voting by adding a new step for verifying identity when returning ballots.

Maddy summaryHB 185 requires Wyoming's Legislative Service Office to provide live video broadcasts of specific public legislative meetings, including committee sessions like the joint appropriations committee, and make recordings available on the legislature's website. This applies to meetings staffed by the Legislative Service Office but excludes executive sessions and situations where broadcasting isn't reasonably possible. The bill clarifies that video recordings won't replace official written minutes and won't delay meetings or invalidate actions if broadcasting fails. It takes effect July 1, 2025.