Rep. Steve Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 165 prohibits ranked choice voting in Wyoming elections by amending state election codes to require ballots to specify only one vote per office. It voids any existing or future local ordinances allowing ranked choice voting and mandates ballot language stating "Vote for one" for single-office races. The bill directly affects all state and local elections, including county and municipal races, by eliminating ranked choice voting as an option. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 219 grants permanent rights for existing county and municipal roads to use state and school lands without fees. It applies to roads established before January 1, 2025, that already cross state/school lands. The bill requires counties and cities to submit documentation by April 2030 to secure these rights, with the state land board handling recording and fees. New roads built after 2025 must follow separate procedures, not automatic rights. This directly affects local governments managing roads on public lands.

Maddy summaryHB 211 amends Wyoming law to allow hunters to pursue and take predatory wildlife (such as wolves, coyotes, or mountain lions) from vehicles, including cars, snowmobiles, and aircraft - previously prohibited for all wildlife. The bill creates a specific exception for predatory animals only, leaving general hunting from vehicles banned for non-predatory species. It also permits the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to exempt handicapped hunters from the vehicle-hunting restrictions. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 200 requires Wyoming public schools to notify parents about student health changes and obtain written parental permission before instruction on gender identity, sexual orientation, or diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. It prohibits schools from requiring staff or students to use pronouns inconsistent with biological sex and allows school personnel to opt out of related trainings. Schools must publish curriculum materials online and report complaints to the state education department. The bill directly affects parents' rights to information, student privacy, and school staff obligations in Wyoming public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 262 would limit Wyoming counties' reserve funds to their average annual spending over the previous five years (excluding specific purpose taxes). Counties exceeding this limit must refund excess funds to residents who lived in the county for at least one year, calculated pro rata and paid by August 15 annually starting in 2025. The bill requires counties to report reserve calculations to the Department of Revenue by July 1 each year and mandates refunds for any excess funds held on July 1, 2025, and subsequent years. Noncompliance would trigger the state treasurer withholding twice the excess amount from county payments until refunds are processed.

Maddy summaryHB 229 designates the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum in Laramie County as a state historic site managed by Wyoming's Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. The bill requires the department to create a strategic master plan for preservation and operations within one year, including partnerships with local entities, and authorizes fees to fund site maintenance, development, and staff. These fees must be deposited into the state parks account, with annual financial reports submitted to the legislature. The bill also specifies $3.3 million in existing funds for site operations, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 169 creates a temporary property tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners, reducing their tax bill by 50% on the first $1 million of their home's value for tax years 2025 and 2026. It applies to single-family residential properties like houses, mobile homes, and condos, directly benefiting homeowners who own these properties. The state will compensate local governments and schools for lost revenue using $125 million from the general fund, with funds expiring after June 2027. The exemption does not apply to tax year 2027 or later.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 177 creates a new legislative committee called the "federal review joint and standing committee" to monitor federal actions. The committee, composed of 5 Senate and 9 House members appointed by March 31 after each election, reviews all federal laws, regulations, and executive orders to assess whether they infringe on Wyoming's sovereignty or exceed federal constitutional limits. It must report findings and recommend legislative responses, such as new bills or resolutions, to address perceived constitutional conflicts. The committee’s work ends if the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is repealed, with the bill taking effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 128 amends Wyoming's public health emergency laws to require the governor to declare when such an emergency exists or ends, then convene the legislature within two days for a vote on whether to concur with the declaration or terminate it. The bill allows the legislature to meet in person or remotely via electronic means to satisfy quorum and vote during emergencies. It updates the definition of "public health emergency" to include threats like pandemics or biological toxins, and clarifies that temporary health care provider licenses issued during emergencies (e.g., for out-of-state professionals) automatically end when the governor declares the emergency over. The changes apply to emergencies declared on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 174 lowers Wyoming's minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18 years old. It directly affects residents aged 18 and older who wish to carry concealed firearms. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 6-8-104(b)(ii) to reflect this age change, while repealing an outdated section (6-8-104(j)). The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.