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.
Sponsored bills
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 256 would have provided a temporary property tax reduction for Wyoming property owners during the 2023 tax year. It offered a 33.33% reduction for most properties and a 16.67% reduction for industrial properties, as defined in existing law. The tax relief applied only to 2023 taxes and would have expired on June 30, 2024, with no permanent change to tax rates. This bill specifically affected property owners paying ad valorem taxes, including those with mineral production properties.
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.
Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 87 updates the state's definition of "child pornography" to explicitly include cartoons, drawings, and other depictions alongside photographs or videos. It removes a previous exemption that allowed school, college, university, museum, or public library employees to promote obscenity during work activities. The bill directly affects educational and cultural institutions by eliminating this employment-related exception. Key provisions amend statutes to broaden the definition of child exploitation materials and repeal the specific exemption, effective July 1, 2023. The change clarifies that such materials in any visual form (including digital or drawn content) fall under the legal definition.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Wyoming's legislature to limit annual increases in the assessed value of residential real property for tax purposes. If approved, it would enable the state to implement a "maximum annual valuation increase" for residential properties, preventing rapid yearly jumps in taxable value. The amendment directly affects residential property owners by potentially stabilizing their property tax assessments over time. It does not change current tax rates but modifies how property values are calculated annually. The proposal requires voter approval to become part of Wyoming's Constitution.
Maddy summaryHB 105 repeals restrictions on carrying concealed weapons in certain public spaces, allowing permit holders to carry in government meetings, legislative sessions, and most public schools (excluding specific areas under existing school district rules). It clarifies that only the Wyoming state legislature can regulate firearms, precluding local governments from enacting their own gun laws. The bill also establishes penalties for barring entry to someone lawfully carrying a concealed weapon in permitted locations. This changes prior "gun-free zone" policies by expanding where concealed carry is allowed while maintaining state-level control over firearm regulation.
Maddy summaryHB 220 prohibits schools and charter schools in Wyoming from using, displaying, or distributing pornographic or indecent materials that meet obscenity standards (defined as "sensitive materials" in the bill). It directly affects all public school districts, charter schools, and their instructional materials, excluding health, healthcare, or family and consumer sciences courses. Key provisions require school boards to ensure compliance, mandate annual reports to the education committee on complaints and resolutions, and direct the state board to create rules defining prohibited materials and handling violations. The bill does not restrict health-related instructional materials, which may be exempted by the state board.
Maddy summaryHB 235 would have required Wyoming school district board trustees to be sworn in and begin serving their duties on the same day as their election, replacing the current requirement that allowed them until December 1st or within 10 days of notification. This change would directly affect newly elected or appointed school board members across all Wyoming school districts. The bill amended Wyoming Statute 21-3-106 to eliminate the existing deadline for taking the oath. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee in February 2023 and never became law.