Sen. Cheri Steinmetz

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 124 would require employers to verify the immigration status of potential employees before hiring and report unauthorized workers to law enforcement. It mandates that law enforcement officers ask about immigration status during detentions and notify federal agencies when encountering unauthorized aliens. The bill also requires verification of lawful presence for individuals applying for state or local public benefits (excluding emergency medical care and disaster relief). These provisions directly affect employers, law enforcement agencies, and immigrants seeking public benefits or employment in Wyoming. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee with a recommendation for amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 292 requires the governor to recommend setting aside 10% of estimated general fund revenue for the next two-year budget period into a dedicated budget reserve account. At the end of each biennium, any unspent general fund money (after covering expenses) is automatically transferred to this reserve. The reserve funds are invested by the state treasurer, with earnings returned to the general fund, and cannot expire. Spending from the reserve requires a new legislative appropriation, ensuring the state maintains a financial buffer for future budget needs.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming joint resolution (SJ 2) demands that the U.S. Congress extinguish federal ownership of public lands and subsurface resources within Wyoming's boundaries - currently covering over 46% of the state's surface and 69% of its subsurface resources - to fulfill Wyoming's constitutional right to "equal footing" as a state admitted to the Union. It cites the state's 1890 admission act and the U.S. Constitution's Admissions and Property Clauses, arguing that continued federal control violates Wyoming's sovereignty. The resolution specifically asks Congress to confirm its intent to transfer these lands to Wyoming by October 2025, proposes that transferred lands become state public lands, and offers to negotiate cession of lands deemed nationally significant. As a non-binding resolution, it serves as a formal request to Congress, not a legislative action with immediate effect.

Maddy summaryHB 115, the Medical Ethics Defense Act, allows healthcare providers (including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists), healthcare institutions (like hospitals), and healthcare payers (such as insurance companies) to refuse participation in or payment for specific medical services based on their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The bill requires written consent before a provider performs an abortion and prohibits discrimination against providers who decline services for conscience reasons, while protecting religious organizations’ rights to make decisions aligned with their faith. It explicitly states these rights do not override duties to provide emergency care or other services not conflicting with their beliefs. The law also prevents adverse licensing actions or discrimination for exercising these conscience-based decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 203 ("By the People Act") requires Wyoming state agencies to provide live audio or video access to public meetings where possible and allow remote public participation. It mandates clear public comment periods (with timed options specified on agendas) and requires agencies to make meeting minutes and recordings available online within 24 hours. The bill applies directly to all state agencies holding public meetings and ensures transparency by prohibiting restrictions on public recording unless it would disrupt the meeting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change existing requirements for meeting notice or attendance rules.

Maddy summaryHB 119 establishes minimum standards for property easements acquired through eminent domain in Wyoming. It requires condemners (like government agencies or utilities) to provide 30 days' notice to local officials before taking property, clarifies landowners aren't liable for most issues arising from the easement (only intentional acts), and mandates condemnors cover reclamation costs after the easement ends. The bill also ensures property improvements are included in compensation calculations and restricts existing easements to their original purpose unless amended. It applies to condemnation actions starting July 1, 2025, and doesn't affect current contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 220 limits new conservation easements in Wyoming to a maximum 30-year duration, effective July 1, 2025, with an option for renewal upon expiration. It directly affects landowners, conservation groups, and government agencies creating or funding new easements after that date, requiring all new agreements to comply with this time limit. The bill amends existing law to prohibit recording or assigning easements exceeding 30 years and prevents state funds from being used for non-compliant easements. Existing easements created before July 1, 2025, remain unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryHB 78 creates a $300,000 grant program to help safe haven providers (like hospitals or shelters) purchase newborn safety devices. These devices alert staff when a newborn is placed inside, ensuring immediate safety for the infant. The program provides one grant per provider for a single device, runs from July 2025 through June 2026, and limits administrative costs to 1% of the funds. It directly affects safe haven providers by funding devices that prevent newborn abandonment risks.

Maddy summaryHB 146 increases penalties for taking stray livestock without the owner's consent in Wyoming. It sets a minimum $750 fine (up from prior) and maximum $1,500 fine for first offenses, and a minimum $1,500 fine with a maximum $3,000 fine for second or subsequent offenses under W.S. 11-24-103. The bill directly affects individuals who take, retain, or restrain lost animals without the owner's knowledge or permission. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and modifies existing penalties for violations of livestock estray laws.

Maddy summaryHB 112 requires county commissioners to approve new industrial facilities before construction begins, directly affecting developers of such projects. The bill amends state law to mandate a public vote by the county commission (unless other rules already apply) for facilities needing a permit under this chapter. It also directs the Industrial Siting Council to create implementing rules and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. This changes the permitting process by adding a county-level approval step for industrial siting projects.