Rep. Karlee Provenza

Maddy summaryHB 204 would decriminalize small amounts of cannabis in Wyoming by replacing criminal penalties with civil fines. It eliminates criminal charges for possessing up to 3 ounces of marijuana in plant form or 16 ounces of edibles, while creating specific civil penalties for exceeding these limits. The bill also removes marijuana possession and paraphernalia from criminal law and allows medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis (after FDA approval), aligning with medical use standards. This primarily affects adults in Wyoming who possess small amounts for personal use or seek medical cannabis treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 195, the "Defend the Guard Act," prohibits the Wyoming National Guard from being deployed into active duty combat unless the U.S. Congress has officially declared war or taken specific constitutional action under Article I, Section 8. It defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflicts, hazardous services related to conflicts abroad, or duties involving war instruments. The bill requires the governor to prevent such deployments without these congressional actions, while allowing Title 32 deployments for domestic missions within the U.S. and its territories. This law directly affects Wyoming National Guard members and their deployment authority, taking effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Reproductive Freedom Act (HB 76) would protect Wyoming residents' right to access abortion care before a fetus is viable or to protect the patient's life or health, prohibiting state interference with this right. It sets penalties for unauthorized abortions performed by providers (misdemeanor with up to one year in jail or $5,000 fine) while exempting patients and those assisting patients in exercising this right. The bill requires any state regulations on abortion to be medically necessary, consistent with medical practice, and impose the least restrictions possible. Additionally, it allows health care providers and private facilities to refuse to perform abortions without facing discrimination or professional penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to add a right to privacy in Wyoming's state constitution. It would insert Article 1, Section 40 stating: "The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed." If approved by voters, this would enshrine a privacy right directly affecting all Wyoming residents by limiting government actions that infringe on personal privacy. The proposal is currently in the introduction stage and requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 114 reauthorizes a program that helps teachers in shortage areas repay student loans by teaching in specific subjects. It targets educators in special education, math, science, world languages, reading, or English as a second language who complete teacher training at the University of Wyoming. Participants can repay loans without cash by teaching at least 50% of their time in these subjects for two years after graduation. The bill appropriates $2 million (2024-2026) for the program, with 15% allocated for administration. Annual reports will track the program's impact on teacher shortages in targeted areas.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending the Wyoming Constitution to remove the legislature's authority to set "reasonable and necessary restrictions" on health care decisions or payment. If approved by voters, it would eliminate Article 1, Section 38(c), directly affecting all Wyoming residents by ensuring their right to make personal health care choices without legislative interference in defining those limits. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the state constitution. It focuses on constitutional language, not specific health care policies or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 142 establishes a dedicated funding account for Wyoming's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission by adding a $1 fee to vehicle registration for both passenger and commercial vehicles. The fees collected will be deposited into this account, with counties or departments allowed to retain up to 5% for administrative costs. This bill creates a stable, recurring funding source to support the commission's operations, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 209 modifies Wyoming's law regarding underage alcohol possession by reducing penalties and creating automatic record expungement. It changes the penalty for minors under 21 found possessing, consuming, or having measurable alcohol in their system from a misdemeanor to a $250 fine, and automatically expunges the conviction from all records six months after the fine is paid. This applies to convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2024, and removes the need for a separate court request to clear the record. The bill directly affects individuals under 21 convicted of these specific alcohol violations.

Maddy summaryHB 113 increases scholarship amounts for Wyoming's Hathaway program, directly affecting eligible students pursuing degrees or certificates at participating institutions. The bill raises semester awards for three scholarship tiers: Opportunity ($882, up from $840), Performance ($1,323, up from $1,260), and Honor ($1,764, up from $1,680) for full-time students meeting specific GPA and standardized test score criteria. Need-based scholarships also see updated calculations, with a minimum $110 per semester and increased caps for unmet financial need. The changes apply to students qualifying under existing Hathaway program standards, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 120 restores civil rights for certain individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses. It automatically restores voting rights for nonviolent felony offenders after they complete their sentence or serve five years (whichever is shorter), and requires a written application to the Department of Corrections for domestic violence misdemeanor offenders to regain firearm rights. The bill also specifies that other rights (like firearm possession) are restored only after voting rights are reinstated. This applies to people convicted of nonviolent felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors under Wyoming law, following specific procedural steps outlined in the bill.