Maddy summaryHB 61 requires Wyoming school districts to submit detailed annual reports to the state education department about funding and activities related to "covered programs," defined as initiatives addressing diversity, equity/inclusion (DEI), political/social activism, or divisive social issues. School districts must report employee roles/salaries tied to these programs, budget allocations, training sessions for staff and students, disciplinary actions, and supporting policies. The state department must make all submitted data publicly searchable on its website. The bill also prohibits school districts from requiring staff or students to use pronouns inconsistent with biological sex. This focuses on transparency around program funding and implementation, not on advocating for or against specific policies.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 100 creates Wyoming's Critical Resilient Infrastructure Board to strengthen the state's critical systems - including water, power, transportation, and telecom - against extended outages (e.g., grid-down events from cyberattacks or disasters). The board, led by the Homeland Security director and including utility, energy, and telecom representatives, will align state efforts with federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Key provisions require hardening infrastructure to prevent long-term power failures, ensure water/wastewater systems remain functional during outages, and leverage federal funding and defense technology for resilience. The bill directly affects public utilities, energy providers, and state infrastructure operations by mandating specific resilience planning and federal collaboration.
Maddy summaryHJ 8 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not yet enacted) that would prohibit Wyoming's state government and all local entities (counties, cities, towns) from imposing any "carbon tax." The bill defines a carbon tax broadly as any tax, fee, or penalty based on the carbon content of products, electricity, fuels, or emissions from their use. If approved by voters, it would prevent the state or local governments from levying taxes tied to carbon usage or emissions. This is a procedural resolution seeking constitutional change, not a current law, and is still in early legislative stages (received for introduction in February 2024).
Maddy summaryHB 49, the "By the People Act," requires state agencies in Wyoming to provide live remote audio or video access to public meetings where practicable. It mandates that agencies make meeting recordings and minutes available online for at least five years, sets clear rules for public comment periods (including timed or reasonable time limits), and prohibits restrictions on public broadcasting of meetings unless disruption is reasonably expected. This bill directly affects all state agencies holding public meetings by standardizing digital access and documentation. It takes effect July 1, 2024, with no current legislative action beyond initial introduction.
Maddy summaryHB 182 prohibits payment processors from assigning special merchant category codes to firearm or ammunition retailers, requiring them to be classified as general merchandise or sporting goods retailers instead. This directly affects payment entities (like banks and credit card networks) and firearm retailers who must use standard retail codes. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per violation. The bill does not change gun laws or purchase requirements but modifies payment processing rules, effective July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryHB 156 establishes a legal presumption in Wyoming court decisions about children's best interests: it is conclusively not in a child's best interest to undergo gender transition or reassignment procedures. The bill defines prohibited procedures to include certain surgeries (like hysterectomy or orchiectomy), mastectomies, and specific hormone treatments (such as puberty blockers or supraphysiologic hormone doses), while excluding care for children with medically verified conditions like disorders of sex development or central precocious puberty. This presumption applies to family court cases involving custody, adoption, visitation, and protection orders. The bill amends multiple Wyoming statutes to incorporate this standard, affecting court rulings on minors' care.
Maddy summaryThis bill lowers Wyoming's minimum age requirement for obtaining a concealed firearm permit from 21 to 18 years old. It amends Section 6-8-104(b)(ii) of the Wyoming Statutes to allow 18-year-olds to apply for permits, directly affecting young adults seeking concealed carry authorization. The bill repeals a conflicting provision (W.S. 6-8-104(j)) and takes effect July 1, 2024. It makes no changes to permit issuance procedures or other eligibility criteria beyond the age adjustment.
Maddy summaryHB 140 changes how the University of Wyoming's board of trustees is structured and selected. It increases the board from 12 to 19 members (14 voting trustees and 5 non-voting ex-officio members), requiring seven voting trustees to be elected by Wyoming voters instead of appointed by the governor. The bill establishes election rules for these seven elected trustees, including four-year terms, voting districts, and non-partisan ballot placement. This directly affects Wyoming voters who will elect trustees and the university's governance structure, replacing the current system where most trustees are appointed by the governor. The changes take effect after the 2024 general election.
Maddy summaryHB 158 requires Wyoming's governor to rescind all existing refugee resettlement plans by July 1, 2024, and submit new plans to the legislature for approval before they take effect. The bill mandates that proposed plans include specific details on promoting refugee economic self-sufficiency, language training, employment services, coordination of resources, care for unaccompanied minors, medical needs, and detailed funding projections. A legislative committee must review these plans, hold public hearings, and report recommendations to the legislature. This bill directly affects state agencies and the governor's office by shifting authority for refugee resettlement oversight from executive action to legislative approval and public input.
Maddy summaryWyoming HB 128, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover qualified educational expenses. It directly affects Wyoming residents who are public school-eligible but haven’t graduated high school, allowing parents to use ESA funds for tuition at qualified schools (including private or online programs), textbooks, tutoring, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer administers the accounts, which are funded by state appropriations - not local tax revenues - and require parental agreements specifying eligible uses. The bill explicitly states qualified schools are not considered state or federal agents and establishes oversight mechanisms for the program.