Rep. Martha Lawley

Maddy summaryThe Wyoming Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 207) protects individuals and religious organizations from government actions that interfere with their religious practices, unless the government proves it has a compelling reason and uses the least restrictive approach possible. It defines government interference as denying benefits, imposing penalties, excluding from programs, or blocking access to facilities, and requires strict justification for such actions. People affected by these government actions can challenge them in court to seek remedies like injunctions, compensation, or other relief. The law applies to all state and local laws, rules, and policies, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 192 requires Wyoming electric utilities (excluding city or town-owned systems) to create and submit detailed wildfire mitigation plans to the Public Service Commission. These plans must cover risk areas, infrastructure inspections, vegetation management, facility upgrades, de-energization procedures, community outreach, and cost estimates for regulated utilities. The Commission must review and approve plans within 120 days, and utilities must update plans every five years with annual compliance reports. The bill also allows regulated utilities to seek cost recovery for approved mitigation measures, though plan approval does not automatically grant this right.

Maddy summaryHB 94 removes a limit on the number of charter schools the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board can approve, effective March 15, 2025. Previously, the board could authorize no more than three (later amended to four) charter schools operated by entities other than school districts before July 1, 2026. The bill eliminates this cap, allowing the board to authorize any number of charter schools meeting statutory requirements. It directly affects the authorizing board and organizations seeking to establish new charter schools outside school district management.

Maddy summarySF 127 requires the Wyoming legislature to approve "major agency rules" before they take effect. This affects state agencies creating significant regulations (like environmental or business rules) and the legislature, which must vote to approve or reject these rules within the next regular or special session after receiving them. The bill establishes a timeline for review, specifies that rules not approved become void, and allows the governor to temporarily bypass this for emergency rules (limited to 120 days). Key provisions include requiring agencies to provide impact analyses and ensuring rules cannot take effect without legislative approval, except for short-term emergencies.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 97 revises the state's uniform trust code to clarify key rules for trust management. It defines "qualified trustee" to include regulated financial institutions while restricting non-residents or unlicensed individuals from serving in this role. The bill removes time limits (perpetuities) for noncharitable purpose trusts, allows trustees to reimburse trust owners for tax costs attributable to the trust, and specifies who must receive court notice for trust-related cases. These changes apply to all trusts governed by Wyoming law created or subject to the code on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 prohibits state agencies, schools, and colleges from using public funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or activities. The bill bans funding for DEI offices, hiring DEI staff, requiring DEI statements, giving preference based on race or gender, and mandating DEI training - unless required by federal law or court orders. Exceptions include academic courses, scholarly research, student organization activities, and data collection related to diversity efforts, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 289 removes restrictions on bed expansions for hospitals and nursing care facilities in Wyoming. It repeals existing limits that previously required state approval before adding beds, instead requiring health department reviews only for safety and health compliance. The bill mandates that the Department of Health report to lawmakers by September 2029 on how the changes affect facility construction and operations. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 129 changes the schedule for distributing school funds in Wyoming counties. It removes the requirement for county treasurers to distribute funds on June 20 (or the last business day before) each year, leaving only the regular monthly distributions. This directly affects county treasurers and school districts, as they will no longer process this specific annual transfer. The bill amends existing law to streamline fund transfers, with immediate effective date upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 72 requires public facilities in Wyoming, including schools, correctional facilities, and government buildings, to designate multi-occupancy changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters exclusively for males or females. It prohibits access to opposite-sex designated areas and allows individuals to sue public entities if they encounter someone of the opposite sex in a designated space, unless exceptions apply (like single-occupancy unisex rooms, medical emergencies, or cleaning staff). The bill defines "female" and "male" biologically and specifies that civil lawsuits must be filed within two years of a violation, with successful plaintiffs able to recover attorney fees. This directly affects public facility operators and users in shared spaces, aiming to enforce single-sex facility use through legal accountability.

Maddy summarySF 89 repeals Wyoming's bed expansion limitations for hospitals and nursing care facilities, removing the requirement for state approval before adding beds. It modifies health facility regulations so the Department of Health can only review plans for health and life safety compliance, not bed count increases. The bill requires the Department of Health to report to the legislature by September 2029 on how the change affects facility construction and operations. This law takes effect July 1, 2025. (Bill SF 89, Certificate of Need Repeal-2)