Rep. Pepper Ottman

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 130, the "Educational Freedom Act," requires public K-12 schools to teach constitutional principles while ensuring all instruction aligns with seven specific "principles of individual freedom." These principles include affirming equality under the law, prohibiting discrimination based on race or gender, stating that merit-based rewards aren't racist, and requiring age-appropriate discussions about racism, slavery, and sexism. The bill directly affects teachers (instructional personnel) and school administrators, who must ensure curricula and policies comply with these principles and avoid content that contradicts them. It also mandates that any classroom material conflicting with Wyoming's constitutional equality provisions must be explicitly identified to students.

Maddy summaryHB 106 imposes a moratorium on using eminent domain (government power to acquire private property) for wind energy collector systems, which include infrastructure like towers, wires, and substations that deliver wind-generated power. The ban applies to most entities (excluding certified public utilities) and lasts until June 30, 2032, or until new legislation sets conditions for such takings, whichever occurs first. It does not affect cases where condemnation lawsuits were filed and required funds deposited before the bill’s effective date. The law directly impacts wind energy developers seeking to expand facilities without existing utility certifications.

Maddy summaryHB 111 adds fentanyl to Wyoming's list of controlled substances that constitute child endangerment when exposed to children. It prohibits anyone with care of a child from knowingly allowing them to absorb, inhale, or ingest fentanyl or methamphetamine, remain in rooms where these drugs are manufactured/sold, or enter areas used for storing these drugs. The bill removes a previous exception allowing prescriptions to be used as a defense in child endangerment cases involving controlled substances. It directly affects parents, caregivers, and anyone responsible for children's safety in environments where fentanyl or methamphetamine is present. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summarySF 124, a proposed Wyoming bill, restricts foreign governments and businesses from purchasing or owning agricultural land in the state. It prohibits new foreign ownership after July 1, 2023, requires existing foreign-owned land to be registered with the secretary of state, and mandates selling or converting the land within two years if ownership becomes foreign. Violations could trigger daily civil penalties up to $5,000. The bill directly affects foreign-owned companies, governments, or their agents seeking to hold Wyoming farmland, with exceptions for land owned as of July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 210 creates a "restricted financial institution list" for banks that discriminate against energy companies without a valid business reason. It requires the state treasurer to maintain this list after board approval, providing 45 days' notice to institutions before listing them and allowing removal if they stop discriminatory practices. The state must then refuse to enter into banking contracts with institutions on the list, affecting state and local government financial relationships. This bill directly impacts financial institutions that target fossil fuel companies, with definitions clarifying "discrimination" includes refusing service based on energy sector activities. The policy change focuses on state contracting practices, not altering banking regulations for institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Wyoming calculates the maximum duration of unemployment benefits. It bases the maximum benefit period (ranging from 12 to 23 weeks) on the state's average unemployment rate: 12 weeks if the rate is 5% or lower, plus one additional week for every 0.5% above 5%, capped at 23 weeks if the rate reaches 10.5% or higher. The change applies only to unemployment claims filed on or after July 1, 2023. It directly affects Wyoming residents who qualify for unemployment insurance by adjusting how long they can receive benefits based on statewide job market conditions.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 253, the "Credit Card Defense Act," requires merchants selling firearms or ammunition in the state to use a "sporting goods" merchant category code for all transactions, instead of codes specifying firearms. Financial institutions, credit cards, and payment processors must not collect or generate personally identifying information beyond this category code for such purchases. The law directly affects firearm retailers, banks, and payment processors handling these transactions in Wyoming. It mandates that all relevant financial institutions adopt this coding standard by July 1, 2023, to limit transaction data collection related to firearm purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 246 would require Wyoming to observe Mountain Standard Time year-round, eliminating the state's participation in Daylight Saving Time. The bill repeals previous laws that permitted time changes and establishes Mountain Standard Time as the state's permanent uniform time zone for all government operations and political subdivisions. This change directly affects state agencies, local governments, schools, and businesses across Wyoming by removing the need to adjust clocks in spring and fall. The bill's main provisions would take effect on November 5, 2023, unless it becomes law before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 194, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible Wyoming students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover approved educational expenses. It directly affects K-12 students who are Wyoming residents and not yet graduated, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational services. The state treasurer administers the program, prohibits using local tax revenues for funding, and requires parents to sign agreements outlining permitted uses. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill prohibits state and local governments from enforcing "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs), which are court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access to prevent harm. It blocks the use of state funds or personnel to implement ERPOs and preempts any local laws conflicting with this prohibition. Violating this ban is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine. The bill cites constitutional rights - including the Second Amendment and due process protections - as justification for its provisions.