Rep. Tomi Strock

Maddy summaryHB 146 prohibits former Wyoming state legislators from engaging in lobbying for two years after leaving office, with exceptions for lobbying on their own behalf. The bill increases penalties for failing to register as a lobbyist, raising fines from $200 to $5,000 for violations. It applies to legislators leaving office on or after July 1, 2023, and requires registration for any lobbying activity covered under existing rules. The law aims to limit post-office lobbying by former legislators while strengthening registration requirements for all lobbyists.

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 summaryWyoming's HB 259 would require runoff elections for governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, state superintendent, and federal offices if no candidate wins over 50% of votes in a party primary. The runoff would feature the top two candidates (determined by vote count or drawing lots for ties) and must be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in August during general election years. The bill specifies a standardized ballot format for runoffs, including clear voting instructions and office groupings. All costs for runoffs would be covered by the secretary of state, who would reimburse counties using a dedicated account. This bill is proposed legislation (not yet enacted) and would take effect only if a related constitutional amendment is approved.

Maddy summaryHJ 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to adjust Wyoming's timeline for legislative redistricting after the federal census. Currently, the legislature must complete redistricting by December 10 following census data. The amendment would allow the legislature to set a new deadline, enabling primary elections to be held in May with runoff elections if needed. If redistricting is required, the legislature would still need to convene a special session of up to 10 days. This amendment must be approved by voters to take effect.

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).

Maddy summaryHB 66 prohibits businesses and organizations from refusing service, goods, or facilities to the public based on a person's vaccination status, use of face coverings (masks), or medical testing results related to infectious diseases like COVID-19. It also bans advertisements or communications requiring masks, vaccines, or testing as a condition for public services. Violations are punishable by a misdemeanor fine of up to $5,000 or one year in jail. The law applies to all public-facing businesses and services, such as restaurants, stores, and venues. It repeals prior immunization requirement laws and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 179, the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits state and local governments from enforcing any law or order that allows firearm confiscation without a criminal conviction. It directly affects Wyoming residents by blocking the state from implementing "red flag" gun seizure orders, which typically require surrendering firearms based on alleged threats before a court conviction. The bill bans using state funds or personnel to enforce such orders and preempts conflicting local laws. Violations could trigger civil lawsuits for damages, with courts authorized to impose penalties up to $50,000 per violation. The law aims to prevent gun seizures that bypass due process, as defined by the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 103) adds a sales tax exemption for current Wyoming state legislators purchasing lodging services while acting in their official capacity. It amends Wyoming tax law to exempt these specific lodging purchases from the state sales tax. The exemption applies only to legislators using lodging for official duties, not personal travel. The change took effect July 1, 2023.