Rep. Chris Knapp

Maddy summaryHB 172 repeals restrictions on concealed weapons in specific public spaces, allowing permit holders to carry guns in government meetings, school athletic events on public property, and school facilities (like classrooms and offices). It also strengthens Wyoming’s state law by preventing local governments from regulating firearms, declaring that only the state legislature can set rules for guns, ammunition, and weapons. The bill includes exceptions for health facilities, explosive materials, and private property rules, and adds penalties for blocking someone from entering permitted areas. School districts must establish training rules for employees carrying concealed weapons, requiring 16 hours of initial training and annual 12-hour recertification.

Maddy summaryHB 181 updates rules for prepaid funeral contracts in Wyoming. It allows funeral homes to invest buyer funds in special trust accounts (compliant with existing laws) instead of requiring direct deposits in banks, while clarifying that investment earnings benefit the seller, not the buyer. The bill requires sellers to notify buyers about investment types and risks, and specifies that contracts become irrevocable once funds enter the trust. It also ensures that bond requirements for these funds won’t exceed existing minimums. This directly affects funeral homes selling prepaid services and their buyers.

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 summaryWyoming's HB 75 reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal mining from 6.5% to 6% effective July 1, 2025. The bill lowers both the constitutional portion (from 1.5% to 1%) and the statutory portion (from 5% to 4.5%) of the tax. This directly affects surface coal mining companies operating in Wyoming by decreasing their tax burden. The change modifies existing tax distribution rules outlined in Wyoming statutes but does not alter how the tax revenue is allocated to the mineral trust fund or severance tax account.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the primary residence (including up to 25 acres of land) of certain veterans from property taxes. It directly affects veterans certified with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, and their surviving spouses who haven't remarried and keep the property as their primary residence. If approved by voters, the amendment would add this exemption to Wyoming's constitution, requiring the legislature to implement it through general law. The change would provide tax relief for eligible veterans and surviving spouses by removing property tax liability on their primary homes.

Maddy summarySF 78 (Wyoming) prohibits most people from sending unsolicited absentee ballot request forms to voters. It specifically bans distribution by anyone except county clerks, the secretary of state, or their authorized staff - unless a voter directly asks for the form. The bill defines "absentee ballot request form" broadly to include any deceptive-looking election documents sent by mail, email, or other means. This directly affects voters who may receive unsolicited forms and organizations attempting to distribute them, aiming to prevent misleading election materials. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 234 prohibits state and local governments from collecting or maintaining lists of privately owned firearms or their owners using specific merchant codes (like "firearms codes") in payment processing. It also bans payment processors from requiring such codes for firearm retailers or discriminating against them by charging higher fees or refusing transactions based on firearm sales. The bill directly affects firearm retailers, payment processors, and state agencies by restricting how firearm-related transaction data can be handled. Violations could lead to civil actions or criminal penalties, including misdemeanor charges for knowingly violating these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 274 prohibits students assigned male at birth from competing on women's sports teams at Wyoming schools and colleges, affecting high school and higher education athletic programs. It expands existing rules to include institutions of higher education, creates liability for government entities that violate the prohibition through negligent or intentional acts, and establishes private lawsuits for harmed students or schools. The bill adds whistleblower protections for employees reporting violations and removes immunity for entities that retaliate against those who report or pursue legal action under the law. It also sets a three-year statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 102 changes Wyoming's Attorney General from a governor-appointed position to a statewide elected office starting in the 2026 general election. It establishes a four-year term, sets the salary, and creates rules for filling vacancies, making the Attorney General a state-elected official like the governor and other top state officers. The bill also updates ethics laws and other statutes to apply to the elected Attorney General, requiring them to be a licensed attorney with four years of practice. This directly affects Wyoming voters, who will elect the Attorney General beginning in 2026, and the Attorney General’s office, which will now operate under elected official rules.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 124 would require employers to verify the immigration status of potential employees before hiring and report unauthorized workers to law enforcement. It mandates that law enforcement officers ask about immigration status during detentions and notify federal agencies when encountering unauthorized aliens. The bill also requires verification of lawful presence for individuals applying for state or local public benefits (excluding emergency medical care and disaster relief). These provisions directly affect employers, law enforcement agencies, and immigrants seeking public benefits or employment in Wyoming. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee with a recommendation for amendment.