Rep. Laurie Bratten

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (HB 123) modifies the state's adverse possession law by stopping the 10-year clock for someone claiming ownership through long-term occupation whenever the property owner pays all property taxes. It directly affects property owners who pay taxes and individuals attempting adverse possession claims. The key provision states that the adverse possession timeline pauses during any period the owner has paid all taxes on the property. The law applies to claims starting after July 1, 2025, and takes effect on that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how vacant elected offices in Wyoming are filled. It requires state or county committees to appoint replacements from a pre-approved list if vacancies aren't filled by the original deadline, and creates an automatic presumption that appointed individuals meet all legal qualifications for the office. The process applies to most state offices (excluding congressional seats or school board positions), with state committees handling certain vacancies and county committees managing others. If appointments aren't made within specified timeframes, a special election may be triggered under defined conditions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 100 allows Wyoming school districts and charter schools to hire certain K-12 staff without teaching certificates or permits, provided they adopt specific board policies. These policies require applicants to be at least 18 years old and undergo criminal background checks, including fingerprinting. The bill amends existing laws to permit this hiring path while maintaining background check requirements for uncertified personnel. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 171 amends the legal definition of "explicit sexual conduct" under the state's child exploitation statute (W.S. 6-4-303(a)(iii)). The bill specifically expands the definition to include acts like genital-genital contact, oral-genital contact, bestiality, masturbation, and lascivious exhibitions of genitals or breasts. This change directly affects how prosecutors define and prosecute cases involving the sexual exploitation of children in Wyoming. The amendment will take effect on July 1, 2025, strengthening the legal framework for addressing such crimes.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 31 requires all Wyoming school districts to adopt formal safety and security policies, including threat assessment procedures, by their boards of trustees. These policies and drafts must remain confidential and not be public records, allowing school boards to discuss them in closed sessions. The bill also limits the state fire marshal's authority by prohibiting bans on door securement devices used under these policies, though the marshal may create rules for their proper use during threats or drills. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting school districts and the state fire marshal's regulatory role.

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 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.

Maddy summaryHB 166 requires Wyoming's state auditor to publish detailed vendor payment information on the official state auditor website within 30 days of each payment. It directly affects all state agencies making vendor payments by mandating the public posting of payment dates, vendor names, agencies involved, amounts, and payment descriptions. The law specifies that this information must remain online for at least five years, applying to all payments made on or after July 1, 2025. The bill aims to increase transparency in state spending without altering existing procurement processes.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJ 3) commemorates the 100th anniversary of Nellie Tayloe Ross becoming the first woman governor of the United States in 1925. It formally recognizes her historic achievement and legacy through a symbolic resolution passed by the Wyoming Legislature. The bill has no policy provisions or direct impact on citizens; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment. Wyoming's legislature will transmit copies of the resolution to federal officials as part of the commemoration. This is a purely symbolic measure with no legislative or financial effects.