Rep. Reuben Tarver

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 116 restricts land ownership by specific foreign entities, including governments of Russia, China, or countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, as well as foreign businesses and individuals from those countries. It prohibits ownership of land (except for personal residences under one acre) and requires existing foreign owners to sell their property within two years of the law's effective date. Owners must register their land with the Secretary of State annually, face a $5,000 daily penalty for non-compliance, and county tax notices must now include warnings about the ownership restrictions. The bill also mandates that tax assessment schedules inform property owners about the registration requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 205 prohibits K-12 public school educators and state employees from using public funds to teach or require training on specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or national origin. It bans instruction claiming any group is inherently superior/inferior, that individuals should be discriminated against based on identity, or that people are inherently racist due to their background. Exceptions allow teaching historical oppression or using primary sources in approved curricula. Violations may trigger civil penalties up to $5,000 per incident, private lawsuits for damages, or disciplinary action against educators. The bill is pending in Wyoming's legislature (introduced January 2023, not yet considered for debate).