Rep. John Bear

Maddy summaryHB 178 prohibits public employers from automatically deducting union dues or fees from public employees' paychecks. It requires public employee unions to annually report detailed financial information to members, including membership numbers, revenue sources, and spending over $5,000 (such as political activities or legal services), with reports distributed to members, posted online, and available upon request. The bill applies to all public employee unions in Wyoming, including those representing firefighters, and takes effect July 1, 2026. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, and unions already filing federal LM-2 reports are exempt from the annual reporting requirement.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 126, the "Human heartbeat act," prohibits most abortion procedures after a detectable fetal heartbeat is identified (typically around 6 weeks gestation), directly affecting pregnant individuals seeking abortions and healthcare providers performing them. The bill requires healthcare providers to confirm a detectable heartbeat via standard medical equipment before proceeding with an abortion, except in cases of medical emergencies that threaten the patient's life or major bodily function. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by up to five years in prison or $10,000 fines, and healthcare professionals face mandatory license revocation for noncompliance. The law creates new definitions, exceptions for medical emergencies, and penalties for violations, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 119 repeals the Strategic Investments and Projects Account, transferring its remaining funds (excluding penitentiary construction funds) to the state general fund by July 1, 2026. The bill preserves $10 million annual transfers from the repealed account to the Wyoming State Penitentiary Capital Construction Account until 2038, ending the dedicated funding stream for that project. All unexpended funds previously tied to the Strategic Investments account must be moved to the general fund by the 2026 deadline, with reports required to the legislature. This procedural bill directly affects state budget management and the penitentiary construction project's funding continuity.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 92 prohibits individuals convicted of sex offenses from holding specific public offices. The bill bars registered sex offenders (as defined by Wyoming law) from running for or serving as school district trustees, community college board members, county/district attorneys, county commissioners, city/town governing body members, mayors, or county sheriffs. Election officials must refuse to certify ineligible candidates, and those already in office would be deemed vacant. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all offices filled on or after that date.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 85 (RAVEN Act) creates a dedicated funding account for the state's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, directly supporting law enforcement efforts to investigate and combat online child exploitation. The bill appropriates $1.6 million from the general fund (2026-2028) to sustain the ICAC program, with funds continuously available for investigations, victim assistance, and public education on internet safety. All money in the account must be used solely by the Division of Criminal Investigation to address internet crimes against children, with no funds allowed to lapse or transfer to other purposes. The account will accept additional grants or donations, ensuring stable, long-term resources for this critical law enforcement work.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 120 creates "industrial sovereign zones" where natural gas producers and manufacturers can transform gas into new products (like hydrogen or ammonia) through substantial chemical changes. It provides tax exemptions for facilities in these zones, fast-track permitting for new manufacturing operations, and establishes a voluntary "gold standard" certification for products with low methane emissions (under 0.2%). The bill directly affects natural gas producers selling to these facilities and manufacturers building new processing plants within designated zones. Key provisions include streamlined licensing, tax breaks for machinery and gas sales, and certification standards to promote Wyoming-made products as distinct from raw fossil fuels.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming cities, towns, and counties from imposing fees, conditions, or concessions related to workforce housing, unmet housing needs, or affordable housing on new residential or commercial development projects. It applies to all permit applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026, and does not affect existing contracts or obligations for projects approved before that date. The law creates new state code sections (15-1-612 for municipalities and 18-5-209 for counties) to enforce this prohibition, directly affecting local governments and developers by removing potential requirements for affordable housing projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming state agencies and local law enforcement from using state funds to enforce federal gun regulations that conflict with Second Amendment rights. It creates criminal penalties (up to 1 year in jail or $2,000 fine) and civil penalties of $50,000 per violation for agencies that enforce such federal rules. The law specifically exempts cooperation with federal authorities on non-gun-related matters and defines key terms like "federal regulation" and "law abiding citizen."

Maddy summaryHB 127 requires voter approval before school districts or county commissioners in Wyoming can impose new mill levies for recreational facilities and public recreation systems. It limits new levies to one mill (one dollar per $1,000 of assessed property value) and mandates that any new levy must be approved by a majority vote at the same election as the general election. The levy would expire after four years unless reapproved by voters at subsequent general elections held every four years. Existing levies not approved by voters before December 31, 2028, would also expire. This directly affects local governments seeking to fund recreation programs through property taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 95 allows individuals legally carrying concealed weapons without a permit under Wyoming law to do so at public colleges and universities, with one exception: they cannot carry during athletic events where alcoholic beverages are sold. The bill amends Wyoming's concealed carry statute to explicitly include college/university facilities as permitted locations, removing prior restrictions. It directly affects permitless concealed carry holders who are already authorized to carry under existing law (specifically W.S. 6-8-104(a)(ii)-(iv)). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change rules for campus employees or volunteers, who remain subject to separate school district regulations.