Rep. Ocean Andrew

Maddy summaryHB 201 requires Wyoming's State Auditor to publish detailed vendor payment information on the auditor's public website. It mandates posting, within 30 days of payment, the date, vendor name, state agency, total amount, and payment description for all payments made over the previous five fiscal years. This applies to all state payments made on or after July 1, 2024, directly affecting state agencies and vendors receiving public funds. The bill aims to increase transparency by making vendor payment data accessible for public inspection and download.

Maddy summaryHB 162 changes Wyoming law to require public hearings for most appointments of public officers, professionals, or employees by local government bodies (like city councils or county commissions). It removes the option for these bodies to hold private "executive sessions" when making such appointments, unless the employee themselves requests a private hearing. The law applies to all agency appointments made on or after July 1, 2024, and mandates that decisions be made in open meetings. This directly affects how local governments handle hiring, employment, and disciplinary actions for public staff.

Maddy summaryHB 61 requires Wyoming school districts to submit detailed annual reports to the state education department about funding and activities related to "covered programs," defined as initiatives addressing diversity, equity/inclusion (DEI), political/social activism, or divisive social issues. School districts must report employee roles/salaries tied to these programs, budget allocations, training sessions for staff and students, disciplinary actions, and supporting policies. The state department must make all submitted data publicly searchable on its website. The bill also prohibits school districts from requiring staff or students to use pronouns inconsistent with biological sex. This focuses on transparency around program funding and implementation, not on advocating for or against specific policies.

Maddy summaryHJ 8 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not yet enacted) that would prohibit Wyoming's state government and all local entities (counties, cities, towns) from imposing any "carbon tax." The bill defines a carbon tax broadly as any tax, fee, or penalty based on the carbon content of products, electricity, fuels, or emissions from their use. If approved by voters, it would prevent the state or local governments from levying taxes tied to carbon usage or emissions. This is a procedural resolution seeking constitutional change, not a current law, and is still in early legislative stages (received for introduction in February 2024).

Maddy summaryHB 182 prohibits payment processors from assigning special merchant category codes to firearm or ammunition retailers, requiring them to be classified as general merchandise or sporting goods retailers instead. This directly affects payment entities (like banks and credit card networks) and firearm retailers who must use standard retail codes. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per violation. The bill does not change gun laws or purchase requirements but modifies payment processing rules, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 156 establishes a legal presumption in Wyoming court decisions about children's best interests: it is conclusively not in a child's best interest to undergo gender transition or reassignment procedures. The bill defines prohibited procedures to include certain surgeries (like hysterectomy or orchiectomy), mastectomies, and specific hormone treatments (such as puberty blockers or supraphysiologic hormone doses), while excluding care for children with medically verified conditions like disorders of sex development or central precocious puberty. This presumption applies to family court cases involving custody, adoption, visitation, and protection orders. The bill amends multiple Wyoming statutes to incorporate this standard, affecting court rulings on minors' care.

Maddy summaryHB 140 changes how the University of Wyoming's board of trustees is structured and selected. It increases the board from 12 to 19 members (14 voting trustees and 5 non-voting ex-officio members), requiring seven voting trustees to be elected by Wyoming voters instead of appointed by the governor. The bill establishes election rules for these seven elected trustees, including four-year terms, voting districts, and non-partisan ballot placement. This directly affects Wyoming voters who will elect trustees and the university's governance structure, replacing the current system where most trustees are appointed by the governor. The changes take effect after the 2024 general election.

Maddy summaryWyoming HB 128, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover qualified educational expenses. It directly affects Wyoming residents who are public school-eligible but haven’t graduated high school, allowing parents to use ESA funds for tuition at qualified schools (including private or online programs), textbooks, tutoring, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer administers the accounts, which are funded by state appropriations - not local tax revenues - and require parental agreements specifying eligible uses. The bill explicitly states qualified schools are not considered state or federal agents and establishes oversight mechanisms for the program.

Maddy summarySF 112, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, would have created an Education Savings Account (ESA) program providing $6,000 annually per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to cover education expenses. It directly affected Wyoming students in grades K-12 who hadn't graduated or earned a high school equivalency, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified private schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer would manage the accounts, funded by state appropriations (not local taxes), with excess funds above $30 million transferred to school foundation programs. The bill was withdrawn by its sponsor on February 16, 2024, and never became law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 108 would regulate chemical abortions by requiring healthcare providers to physically examine patients, be present during the first drug dose, and provide biohazard-labeled waste bags for disposal. It mandates that providers schedule follow-up visits within seven days and instruct patients on proper disposal of medical waste. The bill also holds manufacturers responsible for the environmental remediation of abortion drugs and their byproducts entering water systems. This law directly affects healthcare providers prescribing abortion drugs and drug manufacturers, with penalties including up to three years in prison or $10,000 fines for violations.