Sen. Cheri Steinmetz

Maddy summaryHB 121 modifies Wyoming's property tax deferral program to help homeowners with primary residences on parcels ≤40 acres. It caps deferred taxes at 50% of annual real estate taxes, sets interest rates at 4% compounded annually (or treasury-based for specific cases), and requires the Department of Revenue to confirm funding availability before approving deferrals. Eligibility now requires annual financial status verification, and deferred taxes become due immediately if property value exceeds 50% of the property's fair market value. The bill also mandates county rulemaking, public outreach, and annual reporting to the Department of Revenue.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 134 requires sellers of vacant or subdivided land (under 140 acres) to provide written disclosure to prospective buyers about farm and ranch operations within one mile of the property. The disclosure notice explains that normal agricultural activities - like noise, odors, machinery use, and pesticide application - may occur at any time and are protected under Wyoming's Right to Farm law (11-44-101-104). It clarifies buyers cannot seek legal remedies for these standard practices if conducted properly. The bill directly affects rural homebuyers and sellers in areas near active farms, with the requirement taking effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming school districts to separately account for and spend all funds allocated for teachers under the education resource block grant model exclusively on teacher salaries, health insurance, and benefits starting in the 2023-2024 school year. It exempts charter schools, certain alternative schools, and very small districts (under 49 students or 243 total students). School districts must report annual spending data to the Department of Education, which then reports to the education committee by October 1 each year. The bill also mandates a study by June 2024 to refine how these funds are allocated.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 130, the "Educational Freedom Act," requires public K-12 schools to teach constitutional principles while ensuring all instruction aligns with seven specific "principles of individual freedom." These principles include affirming equality under the law, prohibiting discrimination based on race or gender, stating that merit-based rewards aren't racist, and requiring age-appropriate discussions about racism, slavery, and sexism. The bill directly affects teachers (instructional personnel) and school administrators, who must ensure curricula and policies comply with these principles and avoid content that contradicts them. It also mandates that any classroom material conflicting with Wyoming's constitutional equality provisions must be explicitly identified to students.

Maddy summaryHB 104 allows Wyoming hunters to use artificial light technologies - including thermal or infrared imaging - for night hunting of predatory animals (like coyotes or wolves) on both private and public land. It directly affects landowners (with written permission), residents managing property, and hunters on public land. The bill requires the Game and Fish Commission to create specific rules governing the permitted technology and hunting methods. The changes take effect July 1, 2023, with rulemaking provisions active immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 279 requires voters to present acceptable identification when applying for an absentee ballot in person at a county election office. It directly affects voters seeking absentee ballots through in-person applications, not mail-in or election-day voting. The bill amends election laws to specify that voters must provide ID meeting the definition in Wyoming Statute 22-1-102(a)(xxxix)(B) for this process. The requirement became effective July 1, 2023. This change modifies the application procedure but does not alter requirements for mail-in ballots or in-person voting at polling places.

Maddy summaryHB 127 requires Wyoming health care facilities to allow in-person visits from clergy members (like priests, ministers, or religious counselors) during public health emergencies, at the request of patients or their authorized family members. It prohibits facilities from blocking these visits unless clergy refuse to follow safety rules set by health authorities (such as CDC or state health officer guidelines). The law applies to all patients/residents in facilities defined under state health codes, including hospitals and nursing homes. It takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 106 imposes a moratorium on using eminent domain (government power to acquire private property) for wind energy collector systems, which include infrastructure like towers, wires, and substations that deliver wind-generated power. The ban applies to most entities (excluding certified public utilities) and lasts until June 30, 2032, or until new legislation sets conditions for such takings, whichever occurs first. It does not affect cases where condemnation lawsuits were filed and required funds deposited before the bill’s effective date. The law directly impacts wind energy developers seeking to expand facilities without existing utility certifications.

Maddy summaryHB 111 adds fentanyl to Wyoming's list of controlled substances that constitute child endangerment when exposed to children. It prohibits anyone with care of a child from knowingly allowing them to absorb, inhale, or ingest fentanyl or methamphetamine, remain in rooms where these drugs are manufactured/sold, or enter areas used for storing these drugs. The bill removes a previous exception allowing prescriptions to be used as a defense in child endangerment cases involving controlled substances. It directly affects parents, caregivers, and anyone responsible for children's safety in environments where fentanyl or methamphetamine is present. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 70 modifies Wyoming's legal definition of a "home-based educational program" under W.S. 21-4-101(a)(v). It specifies that such a program must be provided by a parent, legal guardian, or their designated person to a single child, and explicitly excludes programs serving more than one family unit. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not create new requirements or funding but clarifies what qualifies as a home-based program for regulatory purposes. This directly affects parents or guardians providing home education to their own child, excluding multi-family educational arrangements from this definition.