Sen. Larry Hicks

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending Wyoming's constitution to prohibit foreign adversaries of the U.S. and foreign entities deemed a national security threat by the legislature from owning, using, or inheriting property in Wyoming. It would block these entities from holding any real estate, mineral rights, or other property interests, including surface and subsurface rights. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to take effect as part of the state constitution. (Note: This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a law, and has not yet been enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming to issue separate hunting licenses and establish distinct hunting seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. It directly affects hunters of both species, including residents and nonresidents who purchase licenses, by mandating separate management under state wildlife regulations. The key mechanism involves amending existing laws to create new rules for license issuance, season scheduling, and preference point systems specific to each deer type. This change aims to improve wildlife management by allowing targeted conservation efforts for each species, without altering license fees or quotas.

Maddy summarySF 95 removes automatic job protection ("tenure") for Wyoming teachers after three years of service. It replaces the previous system with annual performance evaluations until a teacher is rated "effective" for two consecutive years, after which evaluations occur every three years. The bill also modifies hearing procedures for teacher suspensions or dismissals and clarifies definitions like "probationary teacher" (less than three years of service). These changes directly affect all public school teachers in Wyoming by altering job security and evaluation requirements. The bill does not change salary structures or other employment benefits.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming joint resolution (HJ 5) expresses the state legislature's support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. It condemns the attacks, mourns victims, and calls for Hamas to cease hostilities and release hostages, while urging the U.S. to lead efforts to cut Hamas funding and reaffirm support for Israel's security. The resolution includes six specific calls to action for the U.S. government and directs Wyoming's Secretary of State to send copies to U.S. officials and Wyoming's congressional delegation. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies and has not yet been considered for introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 160, the "Protect Firearms Rights Act," prohibits Wyoming state and local governments from implementing or enforcing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which are court orders restricting firearm access for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill directly affects Wyoming residents who might otherwise be subject to such orders, while explicitly excluding existing protection orders (e.g., domestic violence orders) and mental health hospitalization orders from this prohibition. Key provisions include preempting conflicting local laws, banning state/local use of funds or personnel to enforce ERPOs, and defining ERPOs to exclude specific existing legal mechanisms. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, and is currently in the introduction stage (received February 12, 2024).

Maddy summaryHB 161 amends Wyoming law to change how vacancies in county commissioner seats, other county elected offices, and state legislature positions are filled. If a county board fails to appoint a replacement within the required timeframe, a qualified voter can petition the district judge to fill the vacancy. The judge must appoint one of three qualified candidates submitted by the county central committee, or, if the committee fails to provide names, a person from the same political party as the previous officeholder (or any qualified person if no party was represented). This process applies to all affected offices starting July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 196 requires the federal government to exchange equivalent federal-owned lands whenever it acquires additional property in the state after July 1, 2024 (excluding specific military, infrastructure, or reclamation projects). The bill mandates that federal land acquisitions must be paired with transfers of federal lands to Wyoming to prevent a net increase in federal ownership. If an exchange isn't possible, the federal government must provide 90 days' notice to Wyoming's land board before finalizing the acquisition. Additionally, any land transferred to Wyoming under this policy must be disposed of through a public process prioritizing adjacent landowners and local uses if it would cause a net increase in state-owned lands beyond July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 91 continues a regulatory reduction task force established in 2023 through 2025. The task force includes 12 members: six legislators (three from each chamber, with co-chairs), three industry representatives (oil/gas, mining, agriculture), one business advocate, one local government representative, and one building industry member, plus nonvoting government agency staff. It requires annual reports by October 1st to the governor and legislature, identifying regulatory burden reductions for Wyoming industries and proposing legislative changes. The bill provides $55,000 in funding for task force operations through June 2026 and terminates the task force on December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 124 prohibits teachers and their labor organizations from striking or encouraging strikes, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. The bill imposes a $5,000 civil penalty per day for violations, denies pay to striking teachers, and allows school districts to seek court injunctions to stop strikes. It requires the Department of Workforce Services to implement rules by July 2024 and creates a legal process for enforcing the strike ban. The bill failed its introduction in the Wyoming Senate on February 16, 2024, with a 17-14 vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill would repeal Wyoming's existing low-carbon energy standards for public utilities. It requires utilities to refund customers for rates collected under those repealed standards (with an exception for costs already spent on carbon capture technology before the bill's effective date). The Public Service Commission would establish rules to implement these changes. The bill directly affects all public utilities operating in Wyoming and their customers who paid the now-repealed rates.