Rep. Bob Wharff

Maddy summarySF 93 amends Wyoming's child custody laws to promote shared custody as the default for temporary orders and requires courts to explain when it is not ordered. The bill adds a new factor for courts to consider: evidence that a parent provided false information about past domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect. It defines "shared custody" as combining joint legal and physical custody and mandates that courts must order it for final custody decisions unless they find it unsuccessful or not in the child's best interests. The law applies to all custody cases filed on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 94) modifies Wyoming's Governmental Claims Act to clarify when local governments can be held liable for injuries or property damage caused by road maintenance or reconstruction failures. It establishes that a local government becomes liable only if a claimant proves: (1) the road needed significant repair (a reasonable person would foresee danger), (2) the government received written notice before the incident, (3) the government failed to take reasonable steps to address the issue within a reasonable time, and (4) the claimant suffered actual damages. The bill directly affects residents injured by unsafe roads and local governments responsible for road upkeep. It applies to all claims arising after July 1, 2026, and specifies that claims follow standard government claims procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 135 prohibits Wyoming public officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of information related to public funds, public obligations, land-use impacts, or information already required to be public under existing law. It applies to all elected and appointed officials, employees, and agents of Wyoming government entities (cities, counties, state agencies). The bill makes such agreements void and unenforceable, imposes misdemeanor penalties (up to $1,000 fine) for violations, and allows termination of employment or removal from office for violations. Residents can also seek court action to void noncompliant agreements. The bill never became law, as it failed committee consideration in February 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 14 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully defend against criminal charges by reasonably using self-defense, resulting in a not-guilty verdict, dismissed charges, or release from prosecution. It also mandates automatic expungement (permanent removal) of criminal records for these individuals without requiring a court hearing, including no filing fees for either reimbursement petitions or expungement requests. The bill directly affects people prosecuted for crimes but acquitted or having charges dismissed due to lawful self-defense. Key provisions include county-funded reimbursement for defense costs and streamlined court orders to erase all related arrest and prosecution records. The law applies to cases where self-defense was used to prevent injury or property damage, as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 13 would allow human-use ivermectin to be sold as an over-the-counter medication in Wyoming without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare provider. The bill directly affects pharmacies and consumers by removing current prescription requirements for this medication. Key provisions define "over-the-counter medication" and specify that ivermectin cannot be classified as a dangerous substance or a controlled substance under existing laws. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 196) prohibits state and local government entities from using state funds to enforce federal gun regulations that conflict with the Second Amendment. It specifically bans using Wyoming state or federal funds (originating in Wyoming) to support federal enforcement of firearm laws regarding "law-abiding citizens." Violating this prohibition subjects agencies to civil penalties of $50,000 per violation and allows affected citizens to sue for damages. The bill creates new legal protections for Wyoming residents against enforcement of federal gun laws that infringe on Second Amendment rights, while allowing limited exceptions for federal cooperation in specific criminal investigations.

Maddy summarySF 107 prohibits most noncompete agreements in Wyoming, making them void for workers in skilled or unskilled labor roles. It directly affects employees and employers by banning restrictions on earning wages after job termination, with key exceptions for business sales, trade secret protection, and training costs for employees with less than two years of service. Physicians are specifically covered: noncompete clauses in their employment contracts are void upon termination, but they may share new practice details with patients having rare disorders who were previously treated. The law applies only to contracts signed on or after July 1, 2025, leaving existing agreements unaffected. This bill aims to expand worker mobility by eliminating common employment restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 165 prohibits ranked choice voting in Wyoming elections by amending state election codes to require ballots to specify only one vote per office. It voids any existing or future local ordinances allowing ranked choice voting and mandates ballot language stating "Vote for one" for single-office races. The bill directly affects all state and local elections, including county and municipal races, by eliminating ranked choice voting as an option. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming's legislature to comply with constitutional requirements for drawing legislative districts. It mandates that future districts follow county lines and ensure each county has at least one senator and one representative, aligning with Wyoming Constitution Article 3, Sections 3 and 48. A legislative committee will study apportionment options during the 2025 interim, gather public input, and report findings by December 2025 to inform potential legislation for the 2026 budget session. The bill does not change current districts but sets a process to create a constitutionally compliant plan for the next reapportionment cycle after the 2020 census.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new alternative teaching certification pathway for K-12 teachers in Wyoming. It requires alternative certification programs to meet specific criteria: operating in at least five states, having run for 10+ years, requiring subject and teaching methods exams, and having certified 10,000+ teachers. The certification would be limited to the exact subject areas and grade levels the applicant completed through the program. This directly affects new teachers seeking certification through approved alternative programs, not current certified educators.