Rep. Steve Harshman

Maddy summaryHB 47 requires any person who reasonably believes another person faces immediate risk of serious injury or death to attempt to contact emergency services (like 911) if doing so doesn't endanger themselves or the other person. It directly affects all Wyoming residents who witness such emergencies. The law creates a misdemeanor offense for failing to assist under these conditions, with penalties of up to 6 months in jail and $750 for causing serious injury, or up to 1 year and $2,000 if death occurs. Exemptions include those who provide assistance under other laws or would self-incriminate by reporting. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 64 creates the Wyoming Housing Revolving Loan Program to address affordable housing shortages. It provides loans to local governments, housing authorities, and nonprofits for new construction, rehabilitation, or land acquisition of affordable and workforce housing (80% of funds), plus zero-interest loans for planning and predevelopment (20% of funds). The program is funded by a $30 million transfer from the Strategic Investments Account (if not repealed), with repaid loans replenishing the fund. All loans require state attorney general certification and annual reporting to the legislature on fund usage and project outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 42) clarifies and updates Wyoming counties' zoning authority under state law. It specifically allows counties to regulate mineral extraction (excluding sand, gravel, and construction materials) in unincorporated areas while preventing counties from restricting such activity. The bill also ensures private schools meeting specific criteria (50+ students, nonprofit, certified facility design) are treated similarly to public schools under zoning rules. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, and do not affect existing leases or agreements made before that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming public school districts to provide age-appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention education to all students. It mandates that schools use programs consistent with existing state materials and training standards outlined in related statutes. The requirement applies to all K-12 public schools and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The legislation directly affects students and school districts by establishing a new mandatory educational component focused on suicide prevention.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a process for designating Wyoming state lands with "significant community value" based on historical, archaeological, wildlife, geological, or botanical features. County commissioners can apply to the Environmental Quality Council, which reviews applications with public hearings and approves designations if the land meets specific community value criteria. Once approved, the Board of Land Commissioners must consider this designation when evaluating any change in land use - including new leases, renewals, or dispositions - requiring individual review instead of routine approval. The bill amends state statutes to implement this requirement, ensuring community input is formally integrated into land management decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming law to change the cutoff date for when defendants convicted after a certain date must prove they exercised "due diligence" to request DNA testing. Specifically, for convictions occurring after July 1, 2008, defendants must show they weren't at fault for not seeking DNA testing earlier (unless due to ineffective counsel), while those convicted before that date face no such requirement. The bill updates the statute governing post-conviction DNA testing procedures and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects individuals seeking DNA testing after 2008 who were convicted under the previous rules.

Maddy summaryHB 279 clarifies the order in which multiple property tax exemptions apply to a single property in Wyoming. It requires the Department of Revenue to apply exemptions sequentially: percentage-based exemptions (like senior citizen discounts) must be applied from smallest to largest percentage, while non-percentage exemptions (like homestead exclusions) come after. This affects property owners who qualify for more than one exemption, ensuring consistent application without conflicting reductions. The bill does not change existing exemptions but mandates a specific, transparent process for their combined use. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summarySF 44 requires the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges to have students compete in intercollegiate athletics based on their biological sex as recorded on their official birth certificate. The bill prohibits male students from competing in women's sports teams and female students from competing in men's sports teams, except when no equivalent team exists for their sex. It defines "biological sex" using the sex listed on a student's birth certificate (or a government record correcting a clerical error), and includes protections against retaliation for reporting violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and allows students to sue institutions for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a uniform 9.5% property tax rate for all residential real property in Wyoming, including owner-occupied primary residences, single-family homes, condos, mobile homes, and related land (up to 35 acres). It defines "owner occupied primary residence" as property where the owner lives at least six months annually and clarifies "residential real property" to include dwellings for up to four families. The change applies to all residential property classes, replacing prior differentiated rates, and takes effect for tax year 2025. It directly affects Wyoming homeowners and property assessors by standardizing the tax calculation method.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic joint resolution (HJ 3), not a binding law. It formally recognizes Wyoming's constitutional obligation to provide equal access to free public education for all students, including those in rural areas, and acknowledges the importance of small rural schools serving 102 students across 12 districts. The resolution makes no new funding or policy changes; it simply states the legislature's position and directs the Secretary of State to share it with the Department of Education for distribution to school districts. It does not require any action from schools or the state government.