Rep. Landon Brown

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 175 requires all public school districts, the University of Wyoming, and community colleges to adopt written policies prohibiting hazing. These policies must define hazing (as intentional acts causing harm or embarrassment for group membership), include reporting procedures (with anonymous options), specify consequences for violations, and protect against retaliation for reporting. The law mandates that school districts create these policies by July 1, 2024, with the state education department developing model guidelines by November 2023. It directly affects students, staff, and school communities by establishing clear standards to prevent hazing in educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 137 prohibits the sale of cannabidiol (CBD) products to anyone under age 21 and bans minors from purchasing or possessing such products. Retailers face fines up to $750 for selling to minors (with escalating penalties for repeat violations), while minors violating the law can be cited for a $50 fine (or community service) and have the offense expunged after payment. The bill includes an exception if sellers reasonably rely on valid ID showing the buyer is 21 or older. It also allows courts to issue temporary sales bans for repeat violations at specific retail locations. Note: This bill died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 249 allows Wyoming county treasurers to issue temporary 30-day registration certificates and electronic payment proof when vehicle owners pay registration fees online. This directly affects drivers who pay online, providing immediate proof of valid registration while awaiting official license plates and stickers. The bill amends state law to confirm county treasurers' authority to provide this temporary verification. It does not change registration fees or requirements, only streamlining the process for online payments. The change became effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 110 designates June 19 as Juneteenth, a state holiday in Wyoming, to be observed annually on that date. It requires all state agencies, including the University of Wyoming, to update their holiday policies and personnel rules to recognize Juneteenth as a paid day off for employees. The bill repeals prior Juneteenth holiday provisions and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health and disability insurance plans in Wyoming to cover hearing aids and related fitting, evaluation, and maintenance services when medically necessary. It mandates coverage for one hearing aid per ear (with associated professional services) and limits coverage to $2,000 per ear every three years, unless a hearing professional determines additional devices are medically needed. Insurance plans must apply the same deductibles and co-pays for hearing aid coverage as for other health services. The law applies to all covered individuals and aims to ensure equitable access to hearing aid care under existing health insurance plans. It takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 71 creates an annual sales tax holiday during the first weekend in August (Friday 12:01 a.m. to Sunday 11:59 p.m.) when specific items are exempt from Wyoming's sales tax. It directly affects consumers purchasing eligible school-related items, including clothing, computers, school supplies (like pens, notebooks, and backpacks), and school sports equipment. The exemption excludes high-priced items (e.g., clothing over $100, computers over $1,500) and non-eligible goods like jewelry, cosmetics, or items bought for resale. The bill specifies these rules to provide temporary tax relief for back-to-school shopping, effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 63 updates salary structures for Wyoming's district attorneys and county/prosecuting attorneys. Starting in 2023, district attorneys will earn the same as district court judges, while county attorneys must receive at least $35,000 annually but no more than the district court judge's salary. The bill also increases state funding for county attorneys, covering up to $50,000 per year (or 50% of salary, whichever is less) for the main attorney and $30,000 for each assistant. These changes take effect July 1, 2022, with the new salary levels applying from January 2, 2023.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 77 reduces the residency requirement for filing a name change petition. It changes the rule from requiring 2 years of county residency to just 60 days immediately before filing. This directly affects individuals seeking to legally change their names in Wyoming county courts. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 1-25-102 and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. The change simplifies the process for residents who have lived in a county for a shorter period.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 64 clarifies that dealers' theft protection programs (like those covering stolen vehicles) are **not** considered insurance or service contracts under state law. The bill specifically excludes these programs from insurance regulations and defines "service contracts" to include only repair/maintenance agreements for vehicle issues (e.g., tire damage from potholes or windshield chips), not theft-related coverage. It directly affects vehicle owners who purchase such theft protection add-ons, ensuring they aren’t subject to insurance licensing rules. Key mechanisms include new definitions for terms like "incidental theft protection program payment" and explicit exemptions for tire/lease-related service contracts. The law took effect July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 124 requires all children under two years old to ride in rear-facing child safety seats in vehicles. It clarifies that rear-facing seats must not be placed in front of active airbags and reinforces that children under nine must use restraints in the back seat (with limited exceptions). The law directly affects parents and caregivers of young children traveling in Wyoming vehicles. It became effective July 1, 2022.