Rep. Ocean Andrew

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 109 allows any student residing in a school district to enroll in any public school within that district starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Students living within a school's attendance area get priority, followed by those with siblings already enrolled at that school. School districts may deny enrollment only if a school lacks space at the requested grade level or if a student is suspended/expelled. Districts must publish open enrollment vacancies online every 12 weeks and report enrollment data to the state superintendent annually. This policy affects all K-12 students and school districts across Wyoming, without requiring new programs at individual schools.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 71) affects individuals convicted of causing death while driving illegally (aggravated homicide by vehicle under W.S. 31-5-233). It prohibits these individuals from obtaining an ignition interlock restricted license until they complete the full license revocation period required by law. The bill amends existing law to ensure that such drivers cannot access restricted licenses early, requiring full compliance with revocation terms first. It applies to all relevant convictions occurring before, on, or after its effective date of July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 224 restricts land ownership by "foreign adversaries" (defined as entities or individuals linked to Russia, China, terrorism-designated countries, or specific international sanctions lists) in all Wyoming real property, except for personal residences under one acre. Owners must register with the Homeland Security office within 60 days of acquisition or July 1, 2025 (whichever is later), and update annually. Failure to register incurs a $5,000 daily civil penalty, and county clerks must report violations to Homeland Security. The law also requires tax assessment notices to inform property owners about the ownership restrictions and registration requirements.

Maddy summarySF 115 changes how people can challenge government agency decisions in court. It requires individuals to first use all agency-level appeals before seeking court review, specifies which district courts can handle these cases (based on where harm occurred or property is located), and explicitly excludes most public employment disputes from judicial review - unless the dispute involves a formal hearing or other law allows it. The law applies to agency actions taken on or after July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects citizens, businesses, and organizations seeking to contest agency decisions but does not alter substantive agency rules.

Maddy summaryHB 324 makes employees of Wyoming's secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction "at-will" employees, meaning these officials can terminate them at any time without cause (except for illegal reasons). It exempts these employees from standard executive branch personnel rules, including compensation plans, job classifications, and discipline procedures. The bill does not affect existing employment contracts signed before July 1, 2025, and specifically states it won't override contracts that already specify employment terms. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (HB 118) prohibits the state from transferring land to the federal government in a way that increases the federal government's total land holdings in Wyoming. It applies to all sales, exchanges, or conveyances of state-owned land, requiring that no transaction result in a net gain of land (including surface rights, minerals, or water rights) for the federal government. The law amends existing state statutes to enforce this "no net gain" rule for all future land transfers involving the federal government.

Maddy summarySF 126 establishes a K-8 public lab school on the University of Wyoming’s main campus to serve as a teacher training site and model classroom. It directly affects pre-service teachers (through UW’s education programs), students in the surrounding school district, and the University of Wyoming’s College of Education. Key provisions include creating a governing board with members from the local school district, UW, and community; requiring annual reports on student achievement and teacher placements; and mandating the school operate under state education standards while focusing on developing teaching practices. The bill specifies enrollment preferences for students in the resident school district and requires the school to report to the education committee starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts natural hair braiding from Wyoming's cosmetology licensing requirements. It defines "practice of natural hair braiding" to include hand-twisting, weaving, and extending hair with tools or accessories (but excludes dyeing, chemical treatments, or altering hair structure). Salon owners may still require private certification for braiders working at their locations. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to braiders not otherwise regulated under cosmetology law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 146) amends Wyoming's Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act to modernize rules for agreements where consumers rent property (like furniture or electronics) with an option to purchase. It directly affects consumers entering these agreements and merchants offering them in Wyoming, including those using digital platforms. Key provisions require clear written disclosures about termination rights and mandatory liability damage waiver disclaimers (printed in bold 10-point type or equivalent digital format), allow agreements to be signed digitally with consumer consent, and define terms like "online presence" and "independent third-party retailer location." The bill also specifies how notices must be delivered (e.g., email with consent) and prohibits misleading terms in waiver contracts. It is currently proposed legislation (introduced January 2025), not yet enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 157 requires voters in Wyoming to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. It defines "proof of U.S. citizenship" to include documents like a Wyoming driver's license (without citizenship indicators), tribal ID cards, U.S. passports, birth certificates, or naturalization certificates. This applies to all voter registration processes, both in-person and by mail, and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects any Wyoming resident seeking to register to vote for the first time or update their registration.