Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 259 would require runoff elections for governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, state superintendent, and federal offices if no candidate wins over 50% of votes in a party primary. The runoff would feature the top two candidates (determined by vote count or drawing lots for ties) and must be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in August during general election years. The bill specifies a standardized ballot format for runoffs, including clear voting instructions and office groupings. All costs for runoffs would be covered by the secretary of state, who would reimburse counties using a dedicated account. This bill is proposed legislation (not yet enacted) and would take effect only if a related constitutional amendment is approved.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 251 requires absentee ballots in Wyoming to include an official envelope inside the inner ballot envelope, where voters must provide identification information. Voters must submit either their Wyoming driver's license number, Wyoming ID card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number in this envelope. This bill directly affects all Wyoming voters who cast absentee ballots by mail, as it standardizes the identification requirements for returning ballots. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2023, and applies to all absentee ballots processed after that date.
Maddy summaryHJ 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to adjust Wyoming's timeline for legislative redistricting after the federal census. Currently, the legislature must complete redistricting by December 10 following census data. The amendment would allow the legislature to set a new deadline, enabling primary elections to be held in May with runoff elections if needed. If redistricting is required, the legislature would still need to convene a special session of up to 10 days. This amendment must be approved by voters to take effect.
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 234, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," allows health care providers (like doctors and nurses), institutions (such as hospitals), and payers (like insurance companies) to refuse to provide or pay for specific health care services based on their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It prohibits discrimination against these entities for such refusals and requires institutions to adopt internal policies enabling conscience-based objections. Key provisions include requiring written consent before a provider can be assigned to perform an abortion and ensuring religious organizations can align employment or admission decisions with their beliefs. The law does not override existing obligations for emergency care or other essential services.
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.
Maddy summaryHB 105 reduces Wyoming's severance tax rate for surface coal mining from 7% to 6.5% by lowering the statutory tax portion from 5.5% to 5%, while maintaining the constitutional 1.5% rate. This change directly affects surface coal mining companies operating in Wyoming, reducing their tax burden on coal extracted from the surface. The bill updates tax distribution rules to reflect the new rate, with the constitutional portion (1.5%) continuing to fund Wyoming's permanent mineral trust fund. The reduced rate applies to surface coal produced on or after July 1, 2022.
Maddy summaryThe Second Amendment Protection Act prohibits Wyoming state and local officials from using state funds or personnel to enforce any federal gun regulations that conflict with the Second Amendment. It specifically bans state resources from being used to carry out federal laws, rules, or regulations that the state deems to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms. Public servants who violate this prohibition face penalties under existing state law. The bill took effect on July 1, 2022, and applies directly to Wyoming's government entities and officials.
Maddy summaryHB 92 would ban most abortions in Wyoming, allowing them only when necessary to prevent a serious risk of death or permanent injury to the mother (excluding psychological conditions). The law would take effect five days after Wyoming's Attorney General certifies that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a way that allows this ban to be enforced - specifically, after the Court overruled *Roe v. Wade* or issued a final decision enabling such restrictions. It also prohibits using state funds for abortions except under the same limited circumstances. The bill remains inactive until the Attorney General's certification, with no immediate effect.
Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 109 requires the Department of Revenue to study converting the state's property tax system to one based on a property's purchase price (acquisition value), excluding agricultural and commercial land. The study must assess necessary legal changes, revenue impacts, and ensure the transition would be revenue-neutral in the first year, with valuations applied prospectively only. The department must report findings to the Joint Revenue Committee by September 2022, enabling lawmakers to consider related legislation for the 2023 session. This bill does not change current tax rules but mandates an analysis of potential future reforms.