Rep. Mark Jennings

Maddy summaryHB 219 (Voter identification-ballot requests) requires voters to provide acceptable identification when requesting absentee ballots in Wyoming. It mandates that voters show ID in person or submit a copy of ID via secure electronic methods (email, mail, fax) when applying by mail or phone. County clerks must record the ID type and number in absentee ballot records. This bill, effective July 1, 2023, replaces prior requirements for absentee ballot requests and directly affects voters seeking absentee ballots.

Maddy summaryHB 244 proposes to expand Wyoming's property tax refund program to include renters who occupy rental properties as their principal residence, regardless of ownership. The bill would allow applicants meeting income limits (capped at 125% of median household income or 3/4 of the median, whichever is higher) and asset limits ($100,000 per adult adjusted for cost of living) to receive refunds. Refunds would be limited to 50% of the applicant's prior year property tax paid or $250 (for renters), with multi-family properties calculated by square footage. The bill, which died in committee in February 2023, has not become law and remains a proposed change to the existing refund program.

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 105 repeals restrictions on carrying concealed weapons in certain public spaces, allowing permit holders to carry in government meetings, legislative sessions, and most public schools (excluding specific areas under existing school district rules). It clarifies that only the Wyoming state legislature can regulate firearms, precluding local governments from enacting their own gun laws. The bill also establishes penalties for barring entry to someone lawfully carrying a concealed weapon in permitted locations. This changes prior "gun-free zone" policies by expanding where concealed carry is allowed while maintaining state-level control over firearm regulation.

Maddy summaryHB 203 repeals two reserve accounts for Wyoming's Permanent Mineral Trust Fund (PMTF) and Common School Permanent Fund (CSPLF), eliminating their specific spending policies. It transfers funds previously held in these accounts to other designated state funds, simplifying the management of public funds. The bill removes outdated provisions related to these reserve structures and updates fund distribution rules. This change directly affects how Wyoming allocates excess investment earnings from these permanent funds.

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 189 prevents homeowners associations (HOAs) in Wyoming from banning political campaign signs on members' property. It directly affects HOA members and associations by requiring them to allow such signs indoors or outdoors, with specific exceptions. Key provisions allow HOAs to set reasonable rules for sign size (max 4x6 feet), placement (ground-mounted only), timing (90 days before primaries to 30 days after general elections), and to prohibit signs attached to vehicles or that threaten safety. The law takes effect July 1, 2023, and violations could result in misdemeanor penalties.

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 summaryHB 146 prohibits former Wyoming state legislators from engaging in lobbying for two years after leaving office, with exceptions for lobbying on their own behalf. The bill increases penalties for failing to register as a lobbyist, raising fines from $200 to $5,000 for violations. It applies to legislators leaving office on or after July 1, 2023, and requires registration for any lobbying activity covered under existing rules. The law aims to limit post-office lobbying by former legislators while strengthening registration requirements for all lobbyists.

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.