Sen. Bo Biteman

Maddy summarySF 132 prohibits operating drones over critical infrastructure (including power plants, water facilities, hospitals, prisons, and military sites) for intentional photography, loitering, or criminal activity. Exceptions allow federal-authorized drone use, government operations, infrastructure owners, model aircraft in parks, and emergency services like police or disaster response teams. Violations face misdemeanor penalties ($2,500 fine or 6 months jail) for first offenses, escalating to felony charges ($5,000 fine or 2 years jail) for repeat violations. Law enforcement may disable violating drones, and the Wyoming National Guard can assist with enforcement, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 199, titled the "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act" (not "Steamboat Legacy," which appears to be a misreference), creates a state-funded scholarship program for K-12 students in Wyoming. It increases the maximum annual scholarship from $6,000 to $7,000 for students at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, with annual inflation adjustments, and funds it through a new "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Program Account" using state education revenues. The bill eliminates mandatory certification for private schools and providers but adds voluntary registration, while prohibiting funding from local taxes. It directly affects low-income Wyoming families seeking to use scholarships for public, private, or online education options.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 195 creates a small business emergency bridge loan program administered by the Department of Agriculture. It provides short-term, interest-free loans (up to $1.5 million) to Wyoming small businesses physically located in counties where the governor declares a natural disaster has occurred. Eligible businesses must have been operating before the disaster, have a 50% owner with a 550+ credit score, and use funds solely for disaster recovery like repairing damaged property or replacing equipment - not for expansion. Loans require repayment within three years and must be secured by insurance proceeds or business assets.

Maddy summarySF 162 requires Wyoming school districts to use all funds allocated for teachers under the education resource block grant model exclusively for teacher salaries, health insurance, and benefits starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It applies to all districts except charter schools, schools with fewer than 49 students, and districts with fewer than 243 students. The state education department must collect annual data on teacher spending and report findings to education committees by October 1 each year, including recommendations for refining the grant model. These provisions ensure transparency and direct funding toward teacher-related expenses as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (HB 123) modifies the state's adverse possession law by stopping the 10-year clock for someone claiming ownership through long-term occupation whenever the property owner pays all property taxes. It directly affects property owners who pay taxes and individuals attempting adverse possession claims. The key provision states that the adverse possession timeline pauses during any period the owner has paid all taxes on the property. The law applies to claims starting after July 1, 2025, and takes effect on that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how vacant elected offices in Wyoming are filled. It requires state or county committees to appoint replacements from a pre-approved list if vacancies aren't filled by the original deadline, and creates an automatic presumption that appointed individuals meet all legal qualifications for the office. The process applies to most state offices (excluding congressional seats or school board positions), with state committees handling certain vacancies and county committees managing others. If appointments aren't made within specified timeframes, a special election may be triggered under defined conditions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 100 allows Wyoming school districts and charter schools to hire certain K-12 staff without teaching certificates or permits, provided they adopt specific board policies. These policies require applicants to be at least 18 years old and undergo criminal background checks, including fingerprinting. The bill amends existing laws to permit this hiring path while maintaining background check requirements for uncertified personnel. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 161 would change how Wyoming taxes residential property by establishing a default rule that a property’s tax assessment should match its purchase price (acquisition value) when it was last bought. This applies directly to residential property owners, as their tax bills would typically be based on the original sale price unless challenged. The bill requires county assessors to use the acquisition date as the starting point for determining fair market value, with a "rebuttable presumption" allowing adjustments only if evidence shows the purchase price was inaccurate. It also clarifies confidentiality rules for sworn statements used in the valuation process. The bill died in committee in March 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJ 11) requests Wyoming’s state officials to use legal tools to challenge financial institutions that allegedly prioritize non-financial, ideological factors (like "stakeholder capitalism") over financial returns in investment decisions. It specifically directs the attorney general to investigate and litigate against such practices, including joining ongoing antitrust lawsuits (like the coal industry case with Texas), and asks the state treasurer to select asset managers focused solely on maximizing returns. The resolution directly affects Wyoming’s sovereign wealth funds and investment policies by requiring decisions to align with the state’s financial interests under its "prudent investor rule." It does not create new laws but urges state agencies to leverage existing enforcement powers to counter what the resolution describes as collusive investment practices harming Wyoming’s industries.

Maddy summaryHB 273, the "Wyoming Pregnancy Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression (CARE) Act," prohibits Wyoming state and local governments from enacting laws, rules, or policies that target pregnancy centers based on their opposition to abortion. It specifically bans requirements for centers to offer or refer for abortions, abortion-inducing drugs, contraception, or counseling favoring abortion. The bill defines "pregnancy center" as private nonprofits providing pregnancy support services (like counseling, ultrasounds, and adoption referrals) and establishes legal remedies for violations. It directly affects pregnancy centers across Wyoming by shielding them from government mandates conflicting with their mission. The bill is currently in the House Labor committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation.