Sen. Dan Laursen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming's legislature to comply with constitutional requirements for drawing legislative districts. It mandates that future districts follow county lines and ensure each county has at least one senator and one representative, aligning with Wyoming Constitution Article 3, Sections 3 and 48. A legislative committee will study apportionment options during the 2025 interim, gather public input, and report findings by December 2025 to inform potential legislation for the 2026 budget session. The bill does not change current districts but sets a process to create a constitutionally compliant plan for the next reapportionment cycle after the 2020 census.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Wyoming's "strategic investments and projects account" and requires all remaining funds in that account to be transferred to the state general fund by July 1, 2026. It eliminates a dedicated state fund that previously held money for capital projects, redirecting those resources to the general budget. The bill also includes reporting requirements for the state auditor on the transfer process. This is a procedural budget adjustment affecting state fund management, not a policy change impacting specific programs or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming's state treasurer and retirement board to make all investment decisions based solely on financial factors ("pecuniary factors") that maximize returns while managing risk. It prohibits considering environmental, social, governance, political, or ideological interests - explicitly stating such factors "have crippled, corrupted, disadvantaged, subverted, damaged or otherwise harmed" Wyoming's financial well-being. The law mandates that investment entities (like the retirement board) avoid "nonpecuniary diversions," vet vendors to ensure compliance, and may use proxy voting or divestment to enforce financial focus. It directly affects how state retirement funds and other public investments are managed, ensuring decisions prioritize financial outcomes over external policy goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new alternative teaching certification pathway for K-12 teachers in Wyoming. It requires alternative certification programs to meet specific criteria: operating in at least five states, having run for 10+ years, requiring subject and teaching methods exams, and having certified 10,000+ teachers. The certification would be limited to the exact subject areas and grade levels the applicant completed through the program. This directly affects new teachers seeking certification through approved alternative programs, not current certified educators.

Maddy summaryThe Wyoming Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 207) protects individuals and religious organizations from government actions that interfere with their religious practices, unless the government proves it has a compelling reason and uses the least restrictive approach possible. It defines government interference as denying benefits, imposing penalties, excluding from programs, or blocking access to facilities, and requires strict justification for such actions. People affected by these government actions can challenge them in court to seek remedies like injunctions, compensation, or other relief. The law applies to all state and local laws, rules, and policies, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 121, the "Hospital Price Transparency Act," requires Wyoming hospitals to publicly list detailed pricing for all services and items they provide. Specifically, hospitals must display a machine-readable online list showing standard charges - including gross charges, negotiated rates with insurers, and discounted cash prices - for every service, plus a simplified consumer-friendly list for common "shoppable" services like routine procedures. This applies to all licensed Wyoming hospitals and must be posted on their websites free of charge, without requiring login or personal information. The law also prohibits debt collection actions against patients from facilities that fail to comply and directs the Department of Health to monitor enforcement.

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 327 would change who appoints Wyoming's attorney general, shifting authority from the governor to a majority of the state loan and investment board (an elected body). The bill requires this board's approval for the attorney general to settle lawsuits or take certain legal actions on behalf of the state. It also specifies that vacancies would be filled by the board, not the governor. This bill focuses solely on the appointment process and oversight structure, not the attorney general's duties or legal authority. The bill died in committee in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 291 would require Wyoming to maintain a "Restricted Financial Institution List" of banks that boycott energy companies without a valid business reason. It defines a boycott as refusing to do business with fossil fuel-related entities (including exploration, production, or transportation) unless the bank can demonstrate a legitimate financial, legal, or risk-mitigation purpose. The state treasurer and auditor would be barred from entering into banking contracts with institutions listed on this public register, after the Secretary of State provides 45 days' notice and a 30-day correction period. The list would be updated annually and published online, with clear disclaimers that inclusion does not indicate financial instability or consumer risk.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming public school districts to designate all multiple-occupancy restrooms and changing rooms as exclusively for males or females based on sex assigned at birth. It mandates reasonable accommodations like single-occupancy rooms for students who cannot use designated facilities, while allowing exceptions for maintenance staff, emergency medical help, and coaches under specific conditions (e.g., accompanied by same-sex adults). School districts failing to comply risk losing accreditation, and parents can sue for noncompliance. The law directly affects public school students, staff, and districts, with enforcement tied to state education standards. (Note: Bill is pending in Wyoming Legislature as of 2025.)