Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 190 requires schools to notify parents about student health changes, name/pronoun adjustments, and well-being questionnaires, while prohibiting classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for K-12 students. The bill mandates parental consent for school health services and prohibits schools from restricting parental access to student records or discouraging parent involvement in student welfare decisions. School staff violating these provisions face disciplinary action, and schools may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. The law directly affects K-12 students, parents/guardians, and school staff, with implementation set for the 2024-2025 school year. It also establishes legal remedies for parents alleging violations by schools or staff.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 171 requires anyone proposing to exchange state-owned land (including private individuals, governments, or agencies) to submit a formal application with land valuation documentation to Wyoming's Board of Land Commissioners. The board must then post online public notice about each proposed exchange, including how to comment, until a final decision is made. This applies to all land exchange proposals starting July 1, 2024, and mandates the board to create implementing rules. The bill increases transparency by ensuring public access to exchange details before any transaction occurs.
Maddy summaryHJ 8 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not yet enacted) that would prohibit Wyoming's state government and all local entities (counties, cities, towns) from imposing any "carbon tax." The bill defines a carbon tax broadly as any tax, fee, or penalty based on the carbon content of products, electricity, fuels, or emissions from their use. If approved by voters, it would prevent the state or local governments from levying taxes tied to carbon usage or emissions. This is a procedural resolution seeking constitutional change, not a current law, and is still in early legislative stages (received for introduction in February 2024).
Maddy summaryWyoming HB 128, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover qualified educational expenses. It directly affects Wyoming residents who are public school-eligible but haven’t graduated high school, allowing parents to use ESA funds for tuition at qualified schools (including private or online programs), textbooks, tutoring, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer administers the accounts, which are funded by state appropriations - not local tax revenues - and require parental agreements specifying eligible uses. The bill explicitly states qualified schools are not considered state or federal agents and establishes oversight mechanisms for the program.
Maddy summarySF 112, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, would have created an Education Savings Account (ESA) program providing $6,000 annually per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to cover education expenses. It directly affected Wyoming students in grades K-12 who hadn't graduated or earned a high school equivalency, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified private schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer would manage the accounts, funded by state appropriations (not local taxes), with excess funds above $30 million transferred to school foundation programs. The bill was withdrawn by its sponsor on February 16, 2024, and never became law.
Maddy summarySF 104 amends Wyoming law to change how wind and solar energy facilities on state lands are permitted. It requires county commissioners to obtain written consent from grazing and agricultural leaseholders before approving such facilities, especially when projects are near residential structures (within specific distance limits). The bill mandates that leaseholders be notified about proposed projects and allows them to participate as formal parties in the permitting process. Additionally, it updates definitions to include leaseholders as "affected landowners" and sets clear setback requirements for facilities near homes.
Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 108 would regulate chemical abortions by requiring healthcare providers to physically examine patients, be present during the first drug dose, and provide biohazard-labeled waste bags for disposal. It mandates that providers schedule follow-up visits within seven days and instruct patients on proper disposal of medical waste. The bill also holds manufacturers responsible for the environmental remediation of abortion drugs and their byproducts entering water systems. This law directly affects healthcare providers prescribing abortion drugs and drug manufacturers, with penalties including up to three years in prison or $10,000 fines for violations.
Maddy summaryHB 94 increases the maximum capacity for residential and small commercial solar/wind energy systems under Wyoming's net metering program from 25 kilowatts to 750 kilowatts. This change directly affects homeowners and small businesses that generate their own electricity, allowing larger systems to connect to the grid and receive credit for excess power. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 37-16-101 to update the definition of "net metering system" and takes effect on July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryHB 85 would require social media companies to obtain parental permission before minors under 18 can create accounts on their platforms. It defines "minor" as unmarried, unemancipated Wyoming residents under 18 and mandates platforms to verify consent through rules created by the attorney general. The law would deny access to minors who haven't provided verified parental consent, with enforcement under Wyoming's Consumer Protection Act. The bill failed committee review in February 2024 and is not currently law.
Maddy summaryHB 69 requires written consent from surface landowners (who aren't the mine permit holder or mineral owner) before any mine permit or reclamation plan can be revised. The bill amends Wyoming law to mandate this approval for all permit revisions or plan changes submitted after July 1, 2024, directly affecting landowners whose property is impacted by mining operations. Key provisions include prohibiting revisions without the surface owner's written agreement and applying to all mining permits except surface coal mining. This change shifts decision-making authority to landowners for modifications to existing mining operations on their land.