Rep. Jeanette Ward

Maddy summaryThis bill removes federal oversight from Wyoming's State Guard, granting the governor full authority to organize and maintain it without federal approval. It specifies that state funds - not federal resources - will cover guard members' pay and equipment, aligning with existing state budget processes. The changes directly affect Wyoming State Guard members and the governor's operational control over the force. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 59 prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their vaccination status, mask-wearing, or COVID-19 testing results. It bans businesses and service providers from denying access to public services, goods, or facilities - like restaurants or retail stores - because someone is unvaccinated, not wearing a mask, or refuses testing. The law also prevents businesses from advertising requirements for masks, vaccines, or testing as a condition for service. Violators face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, and affected individuals can file lawsuits to seek this compensation. The bill directly impacts businesses serving the public, ensuring equal access regardless of health-related choices.

Maddy summaryHB 91 prohibits Wyoming from enforcing health mandates or requirements from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) related to mask-wearing, vaccines, or medical testing for COVID-19 or its variants. The bill explicitly states these federal and international health organizations have "no jurisdiction" in Wyoming, meaning their guidance cannot be used to justify such requirements within the state. It directly affects Wyoming residents, businesses, and local officials who would otherwise be subject to CDC or WHO directives. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies specifically to pandemic-related health measures.

Maddy summaryHB 115 requires blood donation centers to ask donors if they've received a COVID-19 or mRNA vaccine during their lifetime. Blood from vaccinated donors must be clearly labeled, and in non-emergency situations, transfusion recipients can request blood based on the donor's vaccination status if available. The bill applies to blood collectors, donation centers, and patients receiving transfusions. It takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 57 repeals a Wyoming law (W.S. 35-4-113(b)(i)) that previously allowed healthcare providers to vaccinate minor children without parental consent. This change would require parental consent for all minor children's vaccinations and medical treatments, directly affecting parents, minors, and healthcare providers across Wyoming. The bill does not create new vaccine requirements but restores parental decision-making authority in this specific medical context. It would take effect immediately upon becoming law, as specified in Section 2 of the bill. The bill has not yet advanced beyond the introduction stage in the current legislative session.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 167 proposes a legal process for the state to declare federal laws unconstitutional and "nullify" them, based on the bill's argument that such actions violate the U.S. Constitution's separation of powers and Tenth Amendment. It creates new statutes (W.S. 9-14-301-305) requiring the state to issue formal "orders of nullification" after a legislative petition and review process, with duties assigned to the Secretary of State and legislative leaders. The bill directly affects Wyoming's state government by establishing procedures for challenging federal actions it deems unconstitutional, though it does not change federal law or impact citizens directly. Currently inactive (last action: "H Did not Consider for Introduction" on 2024-02-17), it remains a procedural framework without enacted policy effects.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a specific exception in Wyoming law (W.S. 6-4-302(c)(ii)) that previously allowed educational institutions to possess obscene materials for "bona fide educational purposes" without facing charges for promoting obscenity. It removes this legal exemption, meaning possessing such materials for educational use would no longer be exempt from obscenity laws. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting schools, libraries, and other educational entities that may handle materials previously covered by this exception.

Maddy summaryHB 176 automatically restores the right to possess firearms and other civil rights for nonviolent felons in Wyoming five years after completing their sentence (including probation or parole), provided they haven’t been convicted of another felony (except for related offenses). It repeals a misdemeanor charge for nonviolent felons possessing firearms, as the penalty is no longer applicable once rights are restored under this law. The bill also requires the Department of Corrections to notify federal authorities when firearm rights are restored. These changes take effect July 1, 2024, directly affecting nonviolent felons who have served their sentences and meet eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 136 would repeal a specific definition of "gender identity" in Wyoming education law that previously determined student eligibility for interscholastic activities (like school sports). This change would directly affect student-athletes in Wyoming public schools by removing the requirement to use that definition for participation eligibility. The bill's key provision is simply removing the referenced statutory definition (W.S. 21-25-201(a)(v)), with no new rules added. It is currently pending in the Wyoming legislature (last action: received for introduction on February 9, 2024) and would take effect July 1, 2024, if enacted. The bill does not create new eligibility rules; it only eliminates the existing definition.

Maddy summaryHB 99 prohibits Wyoming state agencies and recipients of state funds from using public money to purchase products or services made with child labor or slave labor. The bill defines "child labor" as work by anyone under 18 violating U.S. or state labor laws (including foreign labor that would violate U.S. law) and "slave labor" as forced work under threat of penalty. Exceptions include juvenile justice programs, correctional industry programs, and specific statutes. The state budget department must create implementing rules, with the law taking effect July 1, 2024, for most provisions.