Rep. Jayme Lien

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill prohibits foreign nationals from controlling or influencing groups collecting signatures for statewide ballot initiatives or referendums. It requires these groups to certify they receive no foreign funding, verify donors aren't foreign nationals, and maintain financial records for five years. Violations trigger civil penalties of up to twice the prohibited amount, with enforcement by the Secretary of State. The law directly affects organizations seeking to place statewide votes on the ballot.

Maddy summaryHB 94 removes a limit on the number of charter schools the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board can approve, effective March 15, 2025. Previously, the board could authorize no more than three (later amended to four) charter schools operated by entities other than school districts before July 1, 2026. The bill eliminates this cap, allowing the board to authorize any number of charter schools meeting statutory requirements. It directly affects the authorizing board and organizations seeking to establish new charter schools outside school district management.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 305 allows counties to impose an optional tax on solar electricity production. The tax, capped at $5 per megawatt-hour or 5% of annual gross earnings (whichever is higher), applies to solar electricity sold or traded, but exempts government-owned facilities and personal use. Counties collect the tax from producers and distribute all revenue to their general fund, with 50% shared if production occurs within city boundaries. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, though it died in committee in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 311 modifies Wyoming's sales tax exemption for power and fuel used in transportation. It clarifies that companies transporting goods via pipeline or railroad can claim the tax exemption for power/fuel consumed directly in moving those goods, regardless of who owns the transported items. The bill also specifies that the exemption does not apply to gasoline, gasohol, or diesel fuel used on public highways. The Department of Revenue must create rules to implement this change, with the main provision taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 199, titled the "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act" (not "Steamboat Legacy," which appears to be a misreference), creates a state-funded scholarship program for K-12 students in Wyoming. It increases the maximum annual scholarship from $6,000 to $7,000 for students at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, with annual inflation adjustments, and funds it through a new "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Program Account" using state education revenues. The bill eliminates mandatory certification for private schools and providers but adds voluntary registration, while prohibiting funding from local taxes. It directly affects low-income Wyoming families seeking to use scholarships for public, private, or online education options.

Maddy summaryHB 135 (Wyoming) establishes rules for autologous and direct blood donations. It requires hospitals and licensed health facilities to allow patients to donate their own blood (autologous) or donate blood specifically for another person (direct) before a medical procedure, as ordered by a healthcare provider. Blood banks must follow these orders unless the donor has health conditions making donation unsafe, and may charge reasonable fees for facilitating and storing the blood. The bill directly affects hospitals, blood banks, and patients seeking pre-donated blood for future procedures. It takes effect July 1, 2025, with rulemaking by the Department of Health required for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 151 amends rules for appointing sportsmen and hunter representatives to Wyoming's predator management district boards. It requires these directors to have held a valid Wyoming fishing or hunting license within the previous 24 months and removes staggered term limits for their appointments. The bill affects individuals seeking board positions representing sportsmen and hunters, ensuring current hunting/fishing participation. These changes take effect January 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 169 creates a temporary property tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners, reducing their tax bill by 50% on the first $1 million of their home's value for tax years 2025 and 2026. It applies to single-family residential properties like houses, mobile homes, and condos, directly benefiting homeowners who own these properties. The state will compensate local governments and schools for lost revenue using $125 million from the general fund, with funds expiring after June 2027. The exemption does not apply to tax year 2027 or later.

Maddy summaryHB 194 creates a new misdemeanor crime for distributing material deemed "harmful to minors" to individuals under 18. It directly affects anyone who shares such material - like books, films, or online content - via digital means, in-person, or at events targeting minors. The bill defines "harmful to minors" by three criteria: material appealing to prurient interests in minors, patently offensive to adult standards for minors, and lacking literary/scientific value for minors. It repeals an existing exemption that previously protected school, library, and museum staff from obscenity charges when handling materials in their work. The law imposes fines up to $6,000 or up to one year in jail for violations, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 118) allows landowners who hold hunting licenses for elk, deer, antelope, or turkey to sell those licenses to others, subject to specific rules. Landowners cannot sell to immediate family, and buyers must follow all standard hunting license rules. The bill also exempts these sold licenses from a separate landowner coupon fee. The Game and Fish Department must create rules for the sale process, and the changes take effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects landowners with hunting licenses and potential buyers seeking access to these licenses.