Rep. Marlene Brady

Maddy summaryHB 151 limits fees charged by Wyoming government entities when providing public records to requesters. It sets specific caps: $0 for electronic records delivered via email or download links, $20 for records on government-supplied storage devices, and $0.15 per page for paper copies (with a 666-page maximum at that rate). The bill also prohibits charging for labor costs like locating, reviewing, or redacting records, and increases penalties for violations to up to $2,000. This directly affects citizens, journalists, and researchers seeking public records by making access more affordable and predictable.

Maddy summaryHB 172 limits the number of historic horse racing terminals operators can run based on track size and requires a minimum of 16 live racing days at a track to qualify for a permit. It caps terminals at 1,200 per track that’s 7/8 mile or longer and 1,000 per shorter track, and prohibits adding new terminals if existing ones at a location are unused. The bill directly affects racetrack operators seeking simulcasting permits to operate these terminals. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with some provisions effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySF 108 requires all Wyoming elections to use paper ballots that are manually counted in public view, replacing electronic voting systems. The bill mandates that ballots be designed for human reading and counting with security features to prevent fraud, and sets statewide standards for ballot handling, storage under 24-hour video surveillance, and public observation of counting. County clerks must maintain a documented chain of custody for ballots and publish final counts within one hour of completion. This law directly affects Wyoming county election officials, the secretary of state, and voters participating in all state and local elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 94) modifies Wyoming's Governmental Claims Act to clarify when local governments can be held liable for injuries or property damage caused by road maintenance or reconstruction failures. It establishes that a local government becomes liable only if a claimant proves: (1) the road needed significant repair (a reasonable person would foresee danger), (2) the government received written notice before the incident, (3) the government failed to take reasonable steps to address the issue within a reasonable time, and (4) the claimant suffered actual damages. The bill directly affects residents injured by unsafe roads and local governments responsible for road upkeep. It applies to all claims arising after July 1, 2026, and specifies that claims follow standard government claims procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 131 prohibits Wyoming government entities (including state agencies, counties, cities, and school districts) from using public funds to pay for membership fees, travel, or lobbying activities with "government member associations" (groups composed primarily of government entities or employees that seek to influence government decisions). It requires these entities to document and publish online details of employee participation in such associations, including time spent and work performed, and designates all related documents as public records. The bill also repeals an existing exception that allowed the Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to pay for membership fees using public funds.

Maddy summaryHB 14 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully defend against criminal charges by reasonably using self-defense, resulting in a not-guilty verdict, dismissed charges, or release from prosecution. It also mandates automatic expungement (permanent removal) of criminal records for these individuals without requiring a court hearing, including no filing fees for either reimbursement petitions or expungement requests. The bill directly affects people prosecuted for crimes but acquitted or having charges dismissed due to lawful self-defense. Key provisions include county-funded reimbursement for defense costs and streamlined court orders to erase all related arrest and prosecution records. The law applies to cases where self-defense was used to prevent injury or property damage, as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 93 requires Wyoming courts to make most court records and audio/video recordings of proceedings available online for free, including documents like pleadings, evidence, and case details. Exceptions include juvenile cases, adoptions, sealed records, sexual assault cases, and sensitive materials like child pornography or bulky exhibits. Courts must also stream hearings live and maintain an online archive of recordings within seven days. The bill establishes a new fund to cover technology costs for implementing these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 94 requires all Wyoming elections to use paper ballots counted manually in public view, replacing electronic voting systems. It establishes statewide standards for ballot design (must be human-readable), secure storage (sealed containers under 24/7 video for 2 years), and chain-of-custody records for all ballots. County clerks must publicly document ballot counts within one hour of completion and maintain video recordings of counting for 60 months. The bill directly affects all Wyoming voters and election officials by mandating transparent, manual counting processes and repealing prior authorizations for electronic tabulation.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 88 prohibits state and local government entities from using public funds to lobby lawmakers or support lobbying activities. The bill directly affects all state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and special districts (but excludes for-profit contractors). Key provisions require annual certifications of compliance with the ban, forbid paying dues to groups that lobby, and allow taxpayers to sue to stop violations. Enforcement includes potential court actions by the Attorney General or affected residents, with penalties for noncompliance. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 60 changes how the state's attorney general is selected, shifting from a gubernatorial appointment to a statewide elected position. Starting with the 2026 general election, the attorney general will be elected for a four-year term, requiring candidates to have at least four years of active legal practice and be in good standing with Wyoming courts. The bill designates the attorney general as a "state elected official," subjecting the role to ethics laws and requiring voter approval for certain actions that previously required the governor's direction. It also modifies election procedures to include the attorney general on ballots starting in 2026 and repeals prior rules for interim appointments.