Rep. Clark Stith

Maddy summaryHB 194, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible Wyoming students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover approved educational expenses. It directly affects K-12 students who are Wyoming residents and not yet graduated, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational services. The state treasurer administers the program, prohibits using local tax revenues for funding, and requires parents to sign agreements outlining permitted uses. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 277 allows Wyoming county treasurers to issue vehicle registration certificates electronically instead of on paper. It extends the grace period for displaying license plates from the current requirement to 30 days after registration, meaning vehicle owners have up to 30 days to display physical plates after receiving their registration. The bill directly affects all Wyoming vehicle owners who register their vehicles, updating how registration documentation is provided and displayed. These changes take effect July 1, 2023, and amend specific sections of Wyoming law regarding registration issuance and plate display requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 114 amends Wyoming's state land leasing rules to make them more flexible and clear. It increases the amount lessees can spend on improvements without permission from $2,000 to $4,000 per land section, extends maximum lease terms from 75 to 99 years, and explicitly allows residential leases for the first time. The bill also requires all leases to follow minimum state standards for safety and land use, and clarifies that lessees must get approval for improvements exceeding $4,000. This directly affects individuals and businesses leasing Wyoming state lands for farming, ranching, or residential development.

Maddy summaryHB 288 proposes a 2.3% tax on electricity production in Wyoming starting January 1, 2024, paid by electricity producers (like power plants and utilities). It exempts electricity from federal/state government facilities and small personal use under 500 kWh daily. The bill creates a rebate program where producers can receive credits against other Wyoming taxes (like sales or severance taxes) for the electricity tax paid. The Department of Revenue would administer the tax, requiring annual reports by February 1 and imposing penalties for late payments (up to 25% of tax owed). Note: This bill died in committee in 2023 and is not law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 149 creates an "enhanced concealed carry permit" that requires applicants to show proof of recent firearm safety training (within one year), such as completion of a certified course (NRA or Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy) or active peace officer employment. This permit, available to residents 21 or older, includes specific training requirements covering firearm fundamentals, live-shooting qualification, and legal aspects of firearm use. The bill mandates that Wyoming's Attorney General notify other states by July 1, 2023, to seek reciprocity for this enhanced permit. It does not change existing concealed carry rules but aims to improve interstate recognition of Wyoming's enhanced permits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, with rulemaking required by the same date.

Maddy summaryHB 141 would have changed Wyoming's rules for voters changing political party affiliation. It would have allowed voters to file a written request to change their party affiliation at any time (except during prohibited periods), rather than requiring specific deadlines for primary or general elections. The bill amended sections of state law to clarify that voters must declare their party affiliation to receive a partisan ballot, with different filing deadlines depending on whether it was for a primary election or general election. These changes would have directly affected Wyoming voters seeking to switch party registration before elections. (Note: This bill died in committee and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryHB 91 creates a legal shield protecting Wyoming journalists from being forced to disclose news sources or information gathered in their professional work. It applies to all media (newspapers, TV, online outlets) covering public-interest topics like local events or community welfare. The law blocks courts from punishing journalists for refusing disclosure - no fines, jail, or contempt citations - except when there’s an imminent risk of death/harm or in specific defamation cases where the information is needed for the claim. Journalists can assert this protection without proving its validity upfront, but they must still meet the law’s criteria for coverage.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 272 amends state law to expand the definitions of prostitution and soliciting prostitution to explicitly include "sexual contact" and "sexual intrusion" as defined in other statutes. This change directly affects individuals engaging in or offering money for sexual acts, as these activities would now fall under the existing misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months in jail or a $750 fine). The bill does not alter penalties or create new enforcement mechanisms - it simply updates the legal language to cover additional sexual acts. The amendment is set to take effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 187 prohibits male students from competing on teams designated for female students in Wyoming public and private schools that compete against public schools. It defines "sex" as biological sex at birth and requires schools to designate teams as male-only, female-only, or coed. The bill also establishes a process for the state board of education to determine eligibility exceptions for students seeking to participate on teams inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth, based on physical characteristics and other factors. This provision is contingent on court rulings invalidating prior related laws, as specified in the bill. The law directly affects K-12 students and school athletic programs across Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 129 establishes a Wyoming Private Employees' Retirement Savings Task Force to study creating a retirement savings plan for private-sector workers (not government employees). The task force will examine key features like payroll deduction contributions, automatic enrollment with opt-out options, and how employers could offer the plan without mandatory employer contributions. It must analyze feasibility, legal compliance (including ERISA and IRS rules), employer costs, and potential implementation steps, including possible tax incentives. The task force is required to submit recommendations by September 2024, but the bill itself does not create the retirement plan - it only authorizes the study.