Rep. Sarah Penn

Maddy summaryHB 201 requires Wyoming's State Auditor to publish detailed vendor payment information on the auditor's public website. It mandates posting, within 30 days of payment, the date, vendor name, state agency, total amount, and payment description for all payments made over the previous five fiscal years. This applies to all state payments made on or after July 1, 2024, directly affecting state agencies and vendors receiving public funds. The bill aims to increase transparency by making vendor payment data accessible for public inspection and download.

Maddy summaryHB 183 prohibits foreign governments, businesses, or individuals (defined as citizens of Russia, China, state sponsors of terrorism, or countries under specific arms regulations) from owning most land in Wyoming, allowing only personal residences under one acre. It requires existing foreign owners to sell their land by July 2026 (unless for a qualifying personal residence) and mandates annual registration with the Secretary of State for all foreign land ownership, including personal residences. Owners who fail to register face daily civil penalties of $5,000, and county clerks must report violations to the Attorney General for enforcement, which may include court-ordered forfeiture and sale of the land. The bill also requires tax assessment notices to inform owners about the foreign ownership restrictions and registration requirements.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 106 restricts hemp production and sales by banning the addition of synthetic substances or psychoactive additives to hemp products. It prohibits selling hemp containing more than 0.3% THC (measured via specific testing methods) or any synthetic THC, cannabinoids, or psychoactive analogs. The bill directly affects hemp producers, processors, and sellers in Wyoming, requiring compliance with these limits and mandating department inspections for enforcement. Violations may result in fines, license suspension, or revocation, with specific penalties for exceeding THC limits or using synthetic substances. The law also expands the definition of THC to include naturally occurring forms and psychoactive isomers under state controlled substances regulations.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 95 requires healthcare providers to submit insurance claims directly to insurers instead of shifting this responsibility to patients. It prohibits providers from including terms in patient agreements that force patients to handle claim submissions. If a provider fails to submit a claim properly, they bear the risk of nonpayment and cannot blame the patient. The law applies to all provider-patient agreements for insurance claims starting July 1, 2024. This changes the process for claim handling under Wyoming's insurance code.

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 78 requires websites publishing over one-third material harmful to minors to implement age verification for access, using government ID or transaction data. It prohibits retaining personally identifying age information after verification and bans websites from allowing minors to access such content without verification. Violations carry fines of up to $1,000 per day for non-compliance with age verification or data retention rules. The law applies to websites accessible in Wyoming and becomes effective July 1, 2024. It directly affects website operators hosting content meeting the defined "material harmful to minors" standard.