Rep. John Winter

Maddy summaryHB 131 prohibits the use of drop boxes for returning absentee ballots in Wyoming. The bill amends state election law to require voters to mail or hand-deliver absentee ballots directly to county clerks, banning all receptacles designed for ballot collection outside these methods. It directly affects voters and election officials by eliminating a common alternative to postal delivery for absentee voting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 224 restricts land ownership by "foreign adversaries" (defined as entities or individuals linked to Russia, China, terrorism-designated countries, or specific international sanctions lists) in all Wyoming real property, except for personal residences under one acre. Owners must register with the Homeland Security office within 60 days of acquisition or July 1, 2025 (whichever is later), and update annually. Failure to register incurs a $5,000 daily civil penalty, and county clerks must report violations to Homeland Security. The law also requires tax assessment notices to inform property owners about the ownership restrictions and registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 206 changes Wyoming's voter identification rules for in-person voting. It requires all acceptable ID to include a photograph of the voter, repealing Medicaid and Medicare insurance cards as valid forms of identification. The bill directly affects voters who need to present ID at polling places or absentee voting locations. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 173 modifies requirements for independent candidates running for partisan offices in Wyoming. It requires candidates to swear they are unaffiliated with major parties or not registered with one, increases the signature requirement from 2% to 5% of votes cast for the relevant office in the last general election, and extends the petition filing deadline from 70 to 81 days before the primary election. These changes directly affect independent candidates seeking statewide, county, or district offices. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (HB 118) prohibits the state from transferring land to the federal government in a way that increases the federal government's total land holdings in Wyoming. It applies to all sales, exchanges, or conveyances of state-owned land, requiring that no transaction result in a net gain of land (including surface rights, minerals, or water rights) for the federal government. The law amends existing state statutes to enforce this "no net gain" rule for all future land transfers involving the federal government.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 80 requires state investment managers and fiduciaries to consider **only financial factors** when managing state funds, explicitly prohibiting consideration of social, political, or ideological goals. It bans actions like reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting diversity policies, or divesting from gun manufacturers as part of investment decisions. The bill mandates that all proxy votes on state-held stocks must align solely with financial interests and requires annual public reporting of voting records. This directly affects entities managing Wyoming’s retirement funds, permanent funds, and state treasurer investments.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 181) establishes new rules for using eminent domain to take private land for energy collector systems (like solar or wind infrastructure) connected to commercial electricity facilities. It requires developers to negotiate with landowners to secure agreements covering at least 85% of the affected land or 85% of landowners (if three or more are involved) before seeking condemnation. The bill also mandates proof of these negotiations to courts, sets minimum compensation standards based on fair market value, and requires 30 days' notice to county and local officials before filing a condemnation case. These provisions directly affect landowners whose property may be taken and energy developers seeking to expand electricity infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 157 requires voters in Wyoming to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. It defines "proof of U.S. citizenship" to include documents like a Wyoming driver's license (without citizenship indicators), tribal ID cards, U.S. passports, birth certificates, or naturalization certificates. This applies to all voter registration processes, both in-person and by mail, and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects any Wyoming resident seeking to register to vote for the first time or update their registration.

Maddy summaryHB 116 invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses issued to unauthorized aliens (non-citizens not lawfully present in the U.S.) in Wyoming. It deems such licenses invalid if issued by another state or marked to indicate the holder didn't prove lawful presence. The bill modifies existing law to exclude these licenses from valid exemptions for nonresidents and adds penalties for driving with an invalid license, including fines up to $750 or jail time. It requires the Wyoming Department of Transportation to create rules for implementation and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects undocumented immigrants holding out-of-state licenses who would no longer be permitted to drive legally in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public school districts in Wyoming to equip non-school-bus vehicles used for student transportation (e.g., vans or shuttles for field trips or after-school activities) with flashing white and amber lights. It specifically amends vehicle lighting laws to authorize these lights for such vehicles, distinguishing them from standard school buses. The change applies immediately upon enactment and directly affects school districts managing student transport outside of traditional school bus operations.