Rep. Pepper Ottman

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 138 creates the Hope Scholarship Program, providing state-funded scholarships to eligible Wyoming K-12 students. It directly affects Wyoming residents enrolled in public schools who qualify (e.g., attending public school for 45+ days annually), with funds usable at participating private schools. The program establishes a scholarship account funded through state education appropriations (2% of public school funding or per-student amounts), administered by a nine-member board including state education officials. Funds cover qualifying education expenses, with annual transfers from the state education budget to the scholarship program fund. The bill defines key terms like "eligible recipient" and "participating schools" but does not specify implementation timelines beyond the 2023 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 26 restricts individuals from holding both a paid public job and an elected public office if the two positions involve governmental entities that fund or receive funding from each other. It requires anyone who holds one public office or employment to resign from it before accepting a new elected position or job that creates such a funding relationship. The law applies broadly to all state and local government units, including counties, cities, school districts, and special districts. This bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by ensuring public officials don't simultaneously serve in roles where their employment and elected duties could conflict due to funding ties. The law takes effect January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HJ 2 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically asks for a convention limited to proposing amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and set term limits for federal officials and Congress members. The resolution includes strict conditions, such as prohibiting any consideration of changes to the Bill of Rights and requiring Congress to call the convention only if two-thirds of states request it for the same purpose. The bill failed to advance in the Wyoming legislature (21-37 vote) and remains a procedural request to Congress, not a binding law.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 requires Wyoming employers who mandate COVID-19 vaccines to grant exemptions for employees with religious objections, medical reasons preventing vaccination, or who have fully recovered from COVID-19. Employers must accept written evidence of these exemptions and cannot terminate an employee for seeking one. If an employer denies a valid exemption and terminates the employee, they face liability for $5,000 in damages or actual losses, whichever is greater. This bill directly affects employers in Wyoming with vaccine mandates and employees seeking exemption from those requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1005) proposes that Wyoming employers must grant exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates for employees with religious objections, medical reasons, or proof of prior infection. It requires employers to accept written evidence of these exemptions and mandates that employers pay $5,000 or actual damages if they deny a valid exemption and terminate an employee. The bill also modifies liability protections (in W.S. 35-4-114) to ensure employers cannot claim immunity for violating these exemption requirements. It directly affects Wyoming employers and employees in workplaces with vaccine mandates. The bill was introduced in 2021 but did not advance beyond committee consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1003 prohibits discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status in health insurance and public services. It directly affects health insurers, businesses, and individuals by banning insurers from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or limiting benefits based on vaccination status (Section 26-20-901), and preventing businesses from denying services, employment, education, or health care access due to vaccination status or "immunity passports" (Section 35-4-140). Key mechanisms include criminal penalties (up to 6 months jail or $750 fine for violations) and civil remedies for affected individuals. The bill defines "COVID-19 vaccination status" and "immunity passport" to clarify prohibited actions. It was introduced in Wyoming in 2021 but did not advance beyond committee consideration.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 1003 prohibits discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status in health insurance and public services. It bans insurers from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or limiting benefits due to vaccination status (Section 26-20-901), and prohibits requiring vaccination for access to services, employment, education, or public accommodations (Section 35-4-140). The bill also forbids asking about vaccination status or using "immunity passports" as a condition for services. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months jail or $750 fine) and allow civil lawsuits for affected individuals. This law directly affects health insurers, businesses, schools, and employers operating in Wyoming.

2021/Summaries/HB0253.pdf