Rep. Scott Smith

Maddy summaryHB 120 allows individuals facing certain administrative penalties in Wyoming to request a jury trial during contested case hearings. It applies when someone is subject to a sanction of $20 or more, loss of a significant liberty interest (like freedom or property rights), or denial/suspension of a license. The bill requires agencies to notify people of this right and mandates a six-person jury trial, with the jury's decision becoming the final outcome. This changes the process by introducing jury trials into administrative hearings for specified cases, rather than having decisions made solely by agency officials.

Maddy summaryHB 292 requires the governor to recommend setting aside 10% of estimated general fund revenue for the next two-year budget period into a dedicated budget reserve account. At the end of each biennium, any unspent general fund money (after covering expenses) is automatically transferred to this reserve. The reserve funds are invested by the state treasurer, with earnings returned to the general fund, and cannot expire. Spending from the reserve requires a new legislative appropriation, ensuring the state maintains a financial buffer for future budget needs.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming joint resolution (SJ 2) demands that the U.S. Congress extinguish federal ownership of public lands and subsurface resources within Wyoming's boundaries - currently covering over 46% of the state's surface and 69% of its subsurface resources - to fulfill Wyoming's constitutional right to "equal footing" as a state admitted to the Union. It cites the state's 1890 admission act and the U.S. Constitution's Admissions and Property Clauses, arguing that continued federal control violates Wyoming's sovereignty. The resolution specifically asks Congress to confirm its intent to transfer these lands to Wyoming by October 2025, proposes that transferred lands become state public lands, and offers to negotiate cession of lands deemed nationally significant. As a non-binding resolution, it serves as a formal request to Congress, not a legislative action with immediate effect.

Maddy summaryHB 112 requires county commissioners to approve new industrial facilities before construction begins, directly affecting developers of such projects. The bill amends state law to mandate a public vote by the county commission (unless other rules already apply) for facilities needing a permit under this chapter. It also directs the Industrial Siting Council to create implementing rules and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. This changes the permitting process by adding a county-level approval step for industrial siting projects.

Maddy summaryHB 114 requires that during public health emergencies, any state order allowing certain businesses to remain open must also permit religious assemblies (including places of worship, churches, and gatherings in private homes or public spaces) to continue under identical conditions. It directly affects religious organizations and their ability to hold services during emergency closures. The bill allows individuals harmed by violations to sue for damages, injunctions, or attorney fees, and amends state law to ensure government entities can be held accountable for denying these exemptions. This creates a concrete legal mechanism to protect religious gatherings during emergencies, aligning their access with business exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 152 requires blood donors in Wyoming to disclose if they've received a COVID-19 or mRNA vaccine. Blood from vaccinated donors must be clearly labeled on packaging and related paperwork. Patients receiving blood transfusions (in non-emergency situations) can request blood from unvaccinated donors if available at their facility. The bill defines key terms like "mRNA vaccine" and directs the state health department to create implementing rules. It does not change blood safety standards but adds disclosure and labeling requirements for donor vaccination status.

Maddy summaryHB 287 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully use self-defense in criminal cases and are found not guilty, have charges dismissed, or are released from prosecution. It also mandates courts to automatically expunge all related criminal records in these cases, removing arrest and prosecution history from public records. The bill directly affects people facing criminal charges who defend themselves, streamlining access to reimbursement and record removal through simplified court petitions with no filing fees.

Maddy summaryHB 158 requires Wyoming's legislature to install an electronic voting system in both chambers of the state capitol. It appropriates $250,000 from the general fund specifically for planning, purchasing, and installing devices at each legislator's desk to cast votes electronically, with systems required to display results in chambers and online. The bill mandates security measures to ensure votes are cast by individual legislators and specifies that any additional system functions must fit within the budget. The funds must be spent by June 30, 2026, and unspent money reverts to the state. This bill directly affects Wyoming legislators and their voting process, with no policy changes beyond modernizing the voting mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 145 requires absentee voters in Wyoming to include specific identification information on a designated envelope inside their ballot package. Voters must provide either their Wyoming driver's license number, Wyoming ID card number, or the last four digits of their social security number. This change applies to all absentee ballots and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects voters who choose absentee voting by adding a new step for verifying identity when returning ballots.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 241, the Telehealth Freedom Act, allows licensed healthcare providers from other states to offer telehealth services to Wyoming residents without needing a Wyoming license. This applies to providers physically located outside Wyoming who notify the relevant licensing board before starting services (unless an established patient relationship exists). The bill defines telehealth as electronic medical communication between a provider and patient in different locations and modifies existing licensing statutes to include this exception. It directly affects out-of-state healthcare professionals seeking to serve Wyoming patients remotely and expands access to telehealth services for residents.