Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams

Maddy summaryHB 208 prohibits anyone from intentionally injecting chemicals or substances into Wyoming's atmosphere to alter weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It directly affects government entities, researchers, or private companies conducting such atmospheric experiments within the state. Key provisions require the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to test air quality at affected sites (using methods like transmission electron microscopy) and protect individuals who report suspected violations in good faith. The bill also clarifies that existing publicly disclosed contracts are unaffected. This legislation aims to address concerns about unproven health and environmental risks from geoengineering activities.

Maddy summaryHB 182 clarifies that for voting purposes in Wyoming, "residence" refers only to a person's primary home where they actually live and intend to return, excluding secondary or commercial addresses not used for habitation. The bill amends election code definitions to prevent voters from registering using vacation homes, rental properties, or business locations as their official residence. It directly affects Wyoming voters who might attempt to register at non-primary addresses. The bill died in committee in March 2025 and never became law, with no effective date implemented.

Maddy summaryHB 227 sets a 30-day expiration limit for Wyoming governors' executive orders after the issuing governor leaves office, or at the end of their term - whichever comes first. It directly affects governors and state agencies implementing executive orders, requiring them to renew or replace orders before the 30-day window ends. The bill specifies that no executive order can remain effective beyond 30 days after a governor's departure from office. This applies to all executive orders issued on or after July 1, 2025, and takes effect on that date. The legislation aims to prevent long-term executive actions without legislative oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 131 prohibits the use of drop boxes for returning absentee ballots in Wyoming. The bill amends state election law to require voters to mail or hand-deliver absentee ballots directly to county clerks, banning all receptacles designed for ballot collection outside these methods. It directly affects voters and election officials by eliminating a common alternative to postal delivery for absentee voting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 273, the "Wyoming Pregnancy Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression (CARE) Act," prohibits Wyoming state and local governments from enacting laws, rules, or policies that target pregnancy centers based on their opposition to abortion. It specifically bans requirements for centers to offer or refer for abortions, abortion-inducing drugs, contraception, or counseling favoring abortion. The bill defines "pregnancy center" as private nonprofits providing pregnancy support services (like counseling, ultrasounds, and adoption referrals) and establishes legal remedies for violations. It directly affects pregnancy centers across Wyoming by shielding them from government mandates conflicting with their mission. The bill is currently in the House Labor committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation.

Maddy summaryHB 148 increases the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees from 12 to 19 members, with 14 voting trustees (7 appointed by the governor and 7 elected by voters) and 5 nonvoting ex officio members (including the governor, university president, and education officials). The bill establishes elections for the 7 elected trustees every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, requiring at least one elected trustee per designated district. It specifies that appointed trustees serve six-year terms after 2026, replaces outdated provisions, and clarifies vacancy procedures for elected members. This directly affects how the university's governing board is selected, shifting part of the process from gubernatorial appointment to voter elections.

Maddy summaryHB 63, the "Working Animal Protection Act," prevents Wyoming counties and cities from banning or unduly restricting the use of "working animals" in lawful commerce or animal enterprises. It directly affects local governments by overriding conflicting ordinances, though it allows zoning, health, and safety rules to remain in place. The bill defines "working animals" as non-food animals used for duties like ranching, transportation, or tourism (excluding cattle, chickens, or other food/fiber animals). It becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 206 changes Wyoming's voter identification rules for in-person voting. It requires all acceptable ID to include a photograph of the voter, repealing Medicaid and Medicare insurance cards as valid forms of identification. The bill directly affects voters who need to present ID at polling places or absentee voting locations. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 282 establishes that for certain properties (like recently purchased residential real estate), the purchase price (acquisition value) is presumed correct for property tax assessment, unless proven otherwise. This directly affects property owners who recently bought land or buildings, as it shifts the burden to tax assessors to justify using a different value. The bill clarifies that sworn statements about acquisition value must remain confidential but can be used by county assessors and the state board of equalization to determine tax value, while maintaining privacy protections. It amends Wyoming's property tax code to formalize this presumption and update related definitions and procedures. The bill does not change tax rates but changes how property value is initially determined for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 173 modifies requirements for independent candidates running for partisan offices in Wyoming. It requires candidates to swear they are unaffiliated with major parties or not registered with one, increases the signature requirement from 2% to 5% of votes cast for the relevant office in the last general election, and extends the petition filing deadline from 70 to 81 days before the primary election. These changes directly affect independent candidates seeking statewide, county, or district offices. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.