Rep. Art Washut

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 140 requires physicians to wait 48 hours after informing a patient before performing most nonemergency abortions after fetal viability (when the fetus can survive outside the womb). This law directly affects patients seeking abortions and the physicians who perform them. The key provision mandates this waiting period unless a medical emergency poses a substantial threat to the patient's life or health, as determined by a physician. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 35-6-102 and took effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 158 removes imprisonment as a possible penalty for most general traffic violations in Wyoming, meaning drivers convicted of minor offenses (like speeding or parking violations) can now only face fines. However, it preserves imprisonment penalties for specific serious violations listed under Wyoming Statutes 31-5-1102 through 31-5-1108 (such as DUI or reckless driving), maintaining up to six months in jail for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects all drivers convicted of traffic violations in Wyoming, shifting penalties for routine offenses to solely fines. It took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 159 expands Wyoming's state self-insurance program to cover liability claims against volunteer reserve peace officers. It directly affects part-time and reserve officers employed by entities like the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters, the University of Wyoming, or local governments. The bill adds a new provision requiring the state self-insurance account to cover up to $20,000 per claim for these officers, paid dollar-for-dollar with their employing organization. This change ensures volunteer reserve officers receive the same liability coverage as full-time officers under the state's existing self-insurance framework.

Maddy summaryHB 90 allows current Wyoming community college police officers to choose between two retirement plans. It amends the law to include them under the "law enforcement officer" definition, enabling them to switch to the law enforcement retirement plan starting July 1, 2019. Officers had until April 30, 2019, to elect this change in writing to the Wyoming Retirement Board, with no option to reverse the decision. Service credit from prior retirement plans would not count toward the new law enforcement plan.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 127) changes penalties for fleeing police by elevating certain cases to a felony. It makes fleeing a felony if the driver causes bodily injury, damages property over $5,000, or violates another specific traffic law (W.S. 31-5-229). Drivers convicted under these aggravated circumstances face up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, instead of the previous misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months or $750). The law directly affects drivers who flee police and cause serious harm or significant property damage. It took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual salaries for Wyoming judges across all court levels. Supreme court justices' salaries rise to $175,000, district court judges to $160,000, and circuit court judges to $145,000, effective July 1, 2019. It appropriates $1,081,000 from the general fund specifically to fund these increases, with funds expiring June 30, 2020. The bill directly affects all active judges in Wyoming's supreme, district, and circuit courts by adjusting their compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 106 allows Wyoming voters to change their political party affiliation on election day at polling places, rather than requiring advance filings. It amends election code sections to permit voters to update their affiliation when requesting a partisan ballot, with changes recorded directly on poll lists by election judges. This applies to both primary and general elections, eliminating the previous 14- or 30-day advance filing deadlines for affiliation changes. The law took effect July 1, 2019.