Rep. Karlee Provenza

Maddy summaryHB 178 increases Wyoming employees' time off to vote from one hour to two hours during election hours (polling hours) for primary, general, or special elections to fill a U.S. House of Representatives seat. It ensures employees do not lose pay for this time off when they cast a legal vote, applying to all eligible voters except those with three or more consecutive nonworking hours during polling. The bill modifies existing law (W.S. 22-2-111) to clarify these provisions and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects Wyoming workers participating in federal elections who need to vote during standard work hours.

Maddy summaryHB 191 shifts certain marijuana possession offenses from criminal to civil penalties in Wyoming. It eliminates criminal charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana (over 3 ounces in plant form, over 16 ounces in edibles/ointments, or over 30 grams in concentrated forms) and for marijuana paraphernalia, instead imposing civil fines. The bill also prohibits practitioners from prescribing marijuana (except for FDA-approved drugs like dronabinol) and updates definitions for cannabis products. These changes apply directly to individuals possessing marijuana within the specified quantity limits, moving enforcement toward civil penalties rather than criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 267 regulates consumable hemp products (like edibles and tinctures) by requiring licenses for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from the Wyoming Liquor Division. It imposes an excise tax on retail sales, mandates independent lab testing for THC content using specific methods, and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. The bill defines key terms like "batch," "manufacturer," and "retailer," and includes penalties for violations such as selling to minors or operating without a license. This directly affects businesses selling hemp-derived products in Wyoming, adding regulatory and tax requirements to their operations.

Maddy summaryHB 216 prohibits animal control facilities in Wyoming from euthanizing pets using methods like gas chambers, carbon monoxide, or nonanesthetic gases. Instead, facilities must use injection methods (intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intracardiac after unconsciousness) for all pets, including dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The bill requires facilities to adopt training policies for staff performing euthanasia and maintain records of training, with violations classified as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. It applies specifically to animal control facilities handling stray, surrendered, or neglected household pets, excluding livestock. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 239, the Reproductive Freedom Act, establishes that Wyoming residents have the right to abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb (viability) or to protect the person's life or health, prohibiting state interference with this right. It defines key terms like "abortion" and "viability," and specifies that unauthorized abortions (outside these limits) are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine. The bill also protects healthcare providers’ professional judgment on viability or health risks, allows religious or ethical objections to participating in abortions without discrimination, and requires state-funded pregnancy programs to provide equivalent information about abortion options. It directly affects all Wyoming residents seeking abortion care, healthcare providers, and state programs offering reproductive services.

Maddy summaryHB 253 revises Wyoming's construction lien law by changing the timing for preliminary notice requirements. It requires subcontractors and material suppliers to send a notice within 30 days of starting work on a project (before final payment to the general contractor) to preserve their lien rights. Failure to send this notice will bar lien claims, except when the general contractor failed to provide required information under §29-2-113. The bill affects contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers working on construction projects in Wyoming and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 99 amends trespass laws to clarify that people do not commit criminal trespass or game/fish trespass when accidentally touching or passing through private land while traveling between two adjacent parcels they're authorized to access - specifically when the parcels share a common corner or are immediately connected. The bill directly affects landowners and individuals traveling across private property for legitimate access to adjacent parcels (e.g., ranchers moving between properties). It creates a clear exception for incidental contact during this specific travel, removing ambiguity about whether such movement violates trespass laws. The change applies only to travel between authorized parcels and does not permit hunting, fishing, or other activities on private land without permission. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 73 amends Wyoming law to deny concealed firearm permits to applicants convicted of felony violations under Wyoming's Controlled Substances Act (W.S. 35-7-1001-35-7-1057) or similar state/federal drug laws, unless their firearm rights have been restored. The change applies only to new permit applications submitted on or after July 1, 2024, and does not affect existing permit holders. This policy directly impacts individuals seeking new concealed carry permits who have specific drug-related felony convictions. The bill clarifies eligibility requirements without altering existing permit validity or application procedures.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 57 creates a state-funded hearing aid program for adults with hearing impairment who meet specific income and eligibility criteria. It directly affects Wyoming residents aged 18+ diagnosed with hearing loss by a physician or audiologist, with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, who cannot obtain hearing aids through private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare at low cost. The program provides up to one set of hearing aids (one per ear) every five years, including fittings and ear molds, at state-paid rates matching Wyoming Medical Assistance program costs. The bill appropriates $90,000 from the general fund for program costs and $9,000 for an administrative position, both expiring June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 180 amends Wyoming's Controlled Substances Act to clarify and streamline property forfeiture procedures related to drug violations. It specifies that property subject to forfeiture includes controlled substances, equipment used in drug manufacturing, vehicles transporting drugs, buildings used for drug activity, and money traceable to drug offenses. The bill requires courts to issue notices to potential owners or lienholders before final forfeiture, giving them 30-60 days to contest the seizure, and mandates that property used without the owner's knowledge cannot be forfeited. This directly affects property owners involved in drug-related cases by altering the legal process for government seizure of assets.