Rep. Art Washut

Maddy summaryHB 19 requires social media companies to obtain explicit parental or guardian permission before allowing Wyoming minors under 18 to create accounts on their platforms. The bill mandates that companies verify this consent, establish processes for parents to revoke consent, and comply with rules created by the state Attorney General. This law directly affects Wyoming minors and social media companies operating within the state, taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 9 prohibits counties, cities, and towns in Wyoming from requiring licenses, permits, or other authorizations for businesses operated by minors under 18 years old. It also exempts "occasional" businesses (defined as not habitual or regular activities) from local licensing requirements. The law amends existing statutes to clarify that local governments cannot impose such fees or restrictions on minor-operated businesses or infrequent commercial activities. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 175 authorizes the renovation of Wyoming's Veterans Memorial Museum, directly affecting the museum's operations and the state's cultural resources. The bill creates a task force with legislative members, state agency representatives (including the state construction department and military department), and a veteran representative to oversee the project. It appropriates $5 million from the tourism account for the renovation, requiring the task force to monitor progress, provide annual reports to the legislature, and make recommendations to state agencies. The project must be completed by June 30 of the year following its completion, with unspent funds reverting to the state.

Maddy summaryHB 261 amends Wyoming's penalties for "accessory after the fact" (helping a criminal after a crime is committed). It creates three penalty tiers: 1) For non-violent felonies where the accessory is not a relative (3 years max jail or $3,000 fine), 2) For violent felonies (same as above), 3) For non-violent felonies when the accessory is a relative or the principal is a minor (6 months max jail or $750 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who assist criminals post-crime, with lighter penalties for family members or minors involved. It is pending legislative action and would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 148 regulates surgical abortion facilities in Wyoming by requiring them to obtain a specific license as ambulatory surgical centers. It mandates that only licensed physicians with hospital admitting privileges within 10 miles of the facility can perform surgical abortions, and facilities must comply with health department rules for surgical centers. Violations carry penalties: misdemeanor fines up to $1,000 for facilities or physicians, and felony charges (1-14 years imprisonment) for unlicensed providers. The bill directly affects surgical abortion facilities, licensed physicians performing abortions, and hospitals with admitting privileges, while defining key terms like "surgical abortion" and "abortion facility."

Maddy summaryHB 92 clarifies that Wyoming courts and state agencies cannot infringe on parental rights without proving a compelling state interest using the least restrictive means. It specifically requires school districts to communicate and disclose information about students to parents to protect those rights, amending education statutes to mandate this communication. The bill directly affects parents, school boards, and educational agencies by establishing new disclosure obligations. It takes effect on July 1, 2024, and does not alter existing parental rights protections but codifies requirements for school communication.

Maddy summaryHB 45 creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes in Wyoming, directly affecting homeowners with residential structures. The exemption covers increases in a home's value above 5% of the previous year's assessed value, meaning homeowners pay tax only on growth exceeding that threshold. However, the exemption doesn't apply if the value increase comes from new construction, additions, or if the property was purchased in the prior year. The law requires tax assessment notices to include exemption details and applies to tax years starting January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 53 adds one additional district judge position to the sixth judicial district, increasing its total to four judges. The bill appropriates $1,240,728 for the 2024-2026 biennium to fund the new judge's salary, benefits, office equipment, and facilities. It requires the district to provide suitable facilities, including a courtroom for 12-person juries, and authorizes four full-time equivalent positions to support the new judge. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, directly affecting court operations in the sixth judicial district.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal right for vulnerable adults in Wyoming to sue anyone who exploits them. It allows vulnerable adults (or specific representatives like guardians, family members, caregivers, or nursing facilities) to seek compensation for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The law applies to exploitation cases and permits lawsuits in any appropriate court. It takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 76) updates prostitution and solicitation laws by expanding the definition of prohibited acts to explicitly include "sexual contact" and "sexual intrusion" as defined in existing law. It affects individuals engaging in or soliciting commercial sexual acts, now covering specific acts previously not explicitly listed under these statutes. The bill maintains the same penalties: up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both for violations. The law becomes effective July 1, 2024.