Sen. Troy McKeown

Maddy summaryHB 134 would require Wyoming's Legislative Service Office to redirect emails filtered out of a legislator's inbox to their main inbox upon request. If an email is automatically filtered (e.g., by spam or security systems), the sender can request redirection after the office verifies their email address. The office must comply within two business days unless a security threat exists. This applies only to system-wide filtering, not personal email settings, and affects anyone emailing legislators whose messages are automatically diverted.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming constitutional amendment (SJ 4) proposes three key changes: requiring Senate approval for Supreme Court justices before they take office, expanding the Judicial Nominating Commission from 7 to 9 members with specific representation rules, and giving the legislature authority to define what counts as "actual practice of law" for judicial qualifications. It directly affects the Governor (who appoints justices), the Judicial Nominating Commission, and candidates for the Supreme Court. If approved, justices would need Senate majority confirmation, and the legislature could set standards for legal experience requirements. The bill failed to advance in the Senate (16-15 vote) and remains a proposed constitutional change, not law.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 196) prohibits state and local government entities from using state funds to enforce federal gun regulations that conflict with the Second Amendment. It specifically bans using Wyoming state or federal funds (originating in Wyoming) to support federal enforcement of firearm laws regarding "law-abiding citizens." Violating this prohibition subjects agencies to civil penalties of $50,000 per violation and allows affected citizens to sue for damages. The bill creates new legal protections for Wyoming residents against enforcement of federal gun laws that infringe on Second Amendment rights, while allowing limited exceptions for federal cooperation in specific criminal investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 165) amends Wyoming's election law (W.S. 22-3-116) to update how county clerks notify voters about potential registration cancellations. It allows county clerks to send cancellation notices via email in addition to mailing them, while keeping the current 20-day window for voters to request their name remain on the registry. The bill directly affects voters whose registrations may be canceled (e.g., due to inactivity or moving) and county clerks managing voter rolls. It does not change the requirement to notify voters before cancellation or the exceptions (like voting in another state or written request). The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's election code to change deadlines for forming new political parties. It requires petitions to form a new party to be filed with the Secretary of State no later than June 1 before a general election year (previously May 1), and allows petition circulation to begin no earlier than April 1 of the preceding year (previously March 1). These changes directly affect groups seeking to establish new political parties in Wyoming that want to qualify for the general election ballot. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a uniform 9.5% property tax rate for all residential real property in Wyoming, including owner-occupied primary residences, single-family homes, condos, mobile homes, and related land (up to 35 acres). It defines "owner occupied primary residence" as property where the owner lives at least six months annually and clarifies "residential real property" to include dwellings for up to four families. The change applies to all residential property classes, replacing prior differentiated rates, and takes effect for tax year 2025. It directly affects Wyoming homeowners and property assessors by standardizing the tax calculation method.

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 79 requires local governments in Wyoming to meet two conditions for bond elections held on days other than general elections: (1) a majority of voters must support the bond, and (2) at least 50% plus one of the qualified voters who participated in the previous general election must cast ballots. This directly affects cities, school districts, and other political subdivisions seeking to issue bonds for projects like infrastructure or facilities. The bill does not change rules for bond elections held on general election days, and applies only to elections starting July 1, 2025. It aims to ensure broader voter participation for non-general election bond measures.