Rep. Dalton Banks

Maddy summaryHB 88 prohibits foreign governments, businesses, and individuals from purchasing or acquiring agricultural land in Wyoming. It requires existing foreign owners (as of July 1, 2023) to register their land with the Secretary of State within 60 days and annually thereafter, providing details like location and ownership structure. Violations - including failure to register - carry a $5,000 daily civil penalty, and county clerks must report suspected violations to the Secretary of State. The law also mandates that property tax statements include notices about the ownership restriction and registration requirement.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill prohibits state and local governments from enforcing "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs), which are court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access to prevent harm. It blocks the use of state funds or personnel to implement ERPOs and preempts any local laws conflicting with this prohibition. Violating this ban is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine. The bill cites constitutional rights - including the Second Amendment and due process protections - as justification for its provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 168 allows licensed custom exempt meat processors in Wyoming to sell their products directly to consumers at retail. This affects small meat processing facilities that already operate under specific federal exemptions (9 C.F.R. 303.1) for processing carcasses for individual customers. The bill creates a new law (W.S. 35-7-128) explicitly permitting these processors to offer retail sales without needing additional permits. The change takes effect July 1, 2023, enabling local producers to sell directly to shoppers while maintaining existing inspection standards.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Wyoming's legislature to limit annual increases in the assessed value of residential real property for tax purposes. If approved, it would enable the state to implement a "maximum annual valuation increase" for residential properties, preventing rapid yearly jumps in taxable value. The amendment directly affects residential property owners by potentially stabilizing their property tax assessments over time. It does not change current tax rates but modifies how property values are calculated annually. The proposal requires voter approval to become part of Wyoming's Constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 265 increases the interest rate public entities must pay on late payments for goods and services from 1.5% to 5% per month after a 45-day payment deadline. It directly affects contractors and vendors who sell to Wyoming state or local governments by ensuring they receive higher compensation for delayed payments. The bill amends existing statutes to require public entities to pay interest at this new rate on overdue amounts unless a good-faith dispute exists. The law was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2023, but the bill died in committee in February 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 220 prohibits schools and charter schools in Wyoming from using, displaying, or distributing pornographic or indecent materials that meet obscenity standards (defined as "sensitive materials" in the bill). It directly affects all public school districts, charter schools, and their instructional materials, excluding health, healthcare, or family and consumer sciences courses. Key provisions require school boards to ensure compliance, mandate annual reports to the education committee on complaints and resolutions, and direct the state board to create rules defining prohibited materials and handling violations. The bill does not restrict health-related instructional materials, which may be exempted by the state board.

Maddy summaryHB 212 establishes a new standing committee on federal review in Wyoming's legislature, directly affecting state lawmakers by creating a dedicated body to monitor federal actions. The committee must review all federal laws, regulations, and executive orders to assess whether they infringe on Wyoming's sovereignty or violate the U.S. Constitution's enumerated powers, without considering Supreme Court interpretations of those actions. This procedural bill creates a formal mechanism for the legislature to evaluate federal overreach and potentially sponsor related legislation, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 116 restricts land ownership by specific foreign entities, including governments of Russia, China, or countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, as well as foreign businesses and individuals from those countries. It prohibits ownership of land (except for personal residences under one acre) and requires existing foreign owners to sell their property within two years of the law's effective date. Owners must register their land with the Secretary of State annually, face a $5,000 daily penalty for non-compliance, and county tax notices must now include warnings about the ownership restrictions. The bill also mandates that tax assessment schedules inform property owners about the registration requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 205 prohibits K-12 public school educators and state employees from using public funds to teach or require training on specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or national origin. It bans instruction claiming any group is inherently superior/inferior, that individuals should be discriminated against based on identity, or that people are inherently racist due to their background. Exceptions allow teaching historical oppression or using primary sources in approved curricula. Violations may trigger civil penalties up to $5,000 per incident, private lawsuits for damages, or disciplinary action against educators. The bill is pending in Wyoming's legislature (introduced January 2023, not yet considered for debate).

Maddy summaryHB 107 would change Wyoming's attorney general from an appointed position to an elected statewide office, starting with the 2026 general election. Currently appointed by the governor, the attorney general would then be elected for a four-year term with requirements including at least four years of legal practice experience and state residency. The bill updates election procedures to include the attorney general on ballots alongside other statewide elected officials like governor and secretary of state, and subjects the office to the same ethics and disclosure laws as other elected state positions.