Rep. Jeremy Haroldson

Maddy summaryHB 245 requires Wyoming counties to use paper ballots and pens as the default method for marking ballots during in-person voting in all elections, effective July 1, 2025. Counties must provide voters with paper ballots and pens to mark ballots secretly, though electronic ballot marking devices may still be available for voters with disabilities who meet federal accessibility standards. This bill directly affects county clerks and election officials who manage voting systems, replacing current default practices with paper ballots unless specific disability accommodations apply. The law amends existing election codes to ensure paper ballots remain the standard, with no requirement for counties to adopt electronic systems as the default.

Maddy summaryHB 42 requires all surgical abortion facilities in Wyoming to obtain a separate license as an ambulatory surgical center, with facilities performing three or more first-trimester abortions monthly or one or more second/third-trimester abortions annually subject to this rule. It mandates that physicians performing surgical abortions must be state-licensed, have hospital admitting privileges within 10 miles of the facility, and report each procedure to the health department. Violations carry penalties: misdemeanor fines up to $1,000 per day for unlicensed facilities, and felony charges (1-14 years imprisonment) for unlicensed providers performing abortions. The bill defines "surgical abortion" as procedures using instruments or devices to terminate pregnancy with intent to cause fetal death, excluding exceptions like ectopic pregnancy treatment or miscarriage care.

Maddy summaryHB 226 creates special "Search and Rescue" license plates for Wyoming residents registering non-commercial vehicles. Owners pay a $100 one-time eligibility fee (waiving the first year's $25 annual fee) and can donate additional voluntary amounts. All fees and donations go directly to the state's Search and Rescue Account under Homeland Security, managed per existing law. The plates must feature Wyoming's bucking horse and rider symbol and will stop production if fewer than 1,000 sets are issued by 2032. This program directly affects vehicle owners who choose to participate in funding search and rescue services.

Maddy summaryHB 172 repeals restrictions on concealed weapons in specific public spaces, allowing permit holders to carry guns in government meetings, school athletic events on public property, and school facilities (like classrooms and offices). It also strengthens Wyoming’s state law by preventing local governments from regulating firearms, declaring that only the state legislature can set rules for guns, ammunition, and weapons. The bill includes exceptions for health facilities, explosive materials, and private property rules, and adds penalties for blocking someone from entering permitted areas. School districts must establish training rules for employees carrying concealed weapons, requiring 16 hours of initial training and annual 12-hour recertification.

Maddy summaryHB 46, the "Homeschool Freedom Act," removes a requirement for homeschooling families in Wyoming to submit their annual curriculum to local school boards. It eliminates the provision that treated failure to submit a curriculum as proof the program didn't meet state educational standards. The bill directly affects homeschooling parents and guardians by reducing administrative burdens related to curriculum reporting. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter the requirement that homeschool programs meet basic academic standards.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 77 prohibits state and local governments from requiring employees or contractors to use another person's preferred pronouns as a condition of employment, contracts, grants, or other government benefits. It directly affects government workers, contractors, and individuals receiving state services who might face such requirements. The bill allows affected individuals to file lawsuits seeking injunctions, damages, or attorney fees if their rights are violated. This policy change prevents government entities from mandating pronoun usage, focusing on preventing compelled speech in official interactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 75) clarifies how county coroners handle property found on deceased individuals when no personal representative or next of kin claims it. It requires coroners to release low-value personal items ($50 or less) or essential items to next of kin, but if unclaimed after a reasonable time, the property must be sold at public auction or through county-approved methods. Proceeds first cover burial expenses as specified in the law, with any remaining funds deposited into the county’s general fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects coroners, counties, and families of unclaimed decedents.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 98 requires candidates for school board trustee to have their political party affiliation printed on general election ballots. This applies directly to school board trustee candidates and modifies ballot requirements for nonpartisan offices. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to create implementing rules and takes effect July 1, 2025. It does not change election rules for other offices but specifically adds party labels to school board candidate ballots.

Maddy summaryHB 45 removes otters from Wyoming's list of protected animals under hunting regulations. This change directly affects hunters and wildlife management by allowing regulated hunting of otters, which were previously protected. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 23-1-101(a)(ix) to delete "otter" from the definition of "protected animal," which previously included species like black-footed ferrets and lynx. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted. This is a substantive policy change altering hunting permissions, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHB 234 prohibits state and local governments from collecting or maintaining lists of privately owned firearms or their owners using specific merchant codes (like "firearms codes") in payment processing. It also bans payment processors from requiring such codes for firearm retailers or discriminating against them by charging higher fees or refusing transactions based on firearm sales. The bill directly affects firearm retailers, payment processors, and state agencies by restricting how firearm-related transaction data can be handled. Violations could lead to civil actions or criminal penalties, including misdemeanor charges for knowingly violating these provisions.