Sen. Cheri Steinmetz

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Wyoming calculates the maximum duration of unemployment benefits. It bases the maximum benefit period (ranging from 12 to 23 weeks) on the state's average unemployment rate: 12 weeks if the rate is 5% or lower, plus one additional week for every 0.5% above 5%, capped at 23 weeks if the rate reaches 10.5% or higher. The change applies only to unemployment claims filed on or after July 1, 2023. It directly affects Wyoming residents who qualify for unemployment insurance by adjusting how long they can receive benefits based on statewide job market conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 282 created Wyoming's Critical Infrastructure Resiliency Initiative and a new board to strengthen the state's critical systems against prolonged disruptions like extended power outages. The bill targeted infrastructure including water, transportation, electrical grids, oil/gas facilities, and telecommunications, requiring systems to remain functional during "grid-down events" (months-long outages). The appointed board - comprising Homeland Security, utilities, oil/gas, telecom, and defense representatives - would coordinate with federal programs (like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) to adopt defense technologies, ensure water/wastewater systems operate without power, and leverage federal funding for resilience upgrades. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 177) would have repealed a legal exception allowing educational institutions and libraries to possess materials without facing charges for "promoting obscenity." It specifically targeted Section 6-4-302(c)(ii) of Wyoming law, which previously exempted such materials from the obscenity offense. The repeal would have meant that educational and library materials could no longer automatically avoid being classified as promoting obscenity under state law. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and never became law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 126 creates new exemptions from barber and cosmetology licensing requirements for specific services. It exempts professionals performing "blow dry styling," "natural hair braiding," "eyelash extension application," "makeup application," and "threading" from standard licensing, as long as these services are provided for cosmetic purposes only (not medical treatment). The bill defines each exempt service clearly - like specifying blow dry styling cannot involve hair cutting or chemical treatments - and separates these from full cosmetology practice. This directly affects hair stylists, braiders, and makeup artists who can now offer these specific services without obtaining a full cosmetology or barber license.

Maddy summarySF 170 amends Wyoming's water rights law to explicitly recognize storing water for drought contingency or interstate water compact compliance as a beneficial use. This change directly affects water rights holders (including agricultural, municipal, and industrial users) who manage stored water for drought planning or to meet obligations under interstate water agreements. The key provision adds these storage purposes to the legal definition of "beneficial use," allowing such storage to be counted under existing water rights without requiring new permits. This clarifies that water stored for these purposes qualifies as a legitimate use under Wyoming's water management system, effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 285 requires hunters using private land for antelope, deer, or elk hunting to deliver a landowner coupon to the landowner upon harvest or at the end of a hunt without harvest (based on where the majority of the hunt occurred). Landowners can redeem these coupons by submitting them with an affidavit by March 1 to receive $16 per coupon from the state. The bill also allows landowners to redirect their $16 payment to the Animal Damage Management Board instead of receiving it directly. This amendment clarifies the existing landowner coupon process and adds a payment redirection option for Wyoming landowners.

Maddy summaryHB 283 amends Wyoming's obscenity law to create a specific exception for educational and library activities. It allows schools, colleges, universities, museums, and public libraries to produce, possess, or share obscene material as part of their educational work, provided the activity follows policies approved by the organization's elected governing body. The bill requires that these policies align with community standards and are formally adopted by the governing body. This exception applies to the offense of "promoting obscenity" but does not change the definition of obscenity itself. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee in February 2023 without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 78, titled "Protection of parental rights," would have amended Wyoming statutes to expand where parental rights protections apply. It specifically required that parental rights protections cover judicial proceedings involving custody, neglect, or termination of parental rights (under Title 14), and mandated that schools and educational agencies communicate with parents about their children (under Title 21). The bill aimed to ensure parents' rights in family court decisions and school-related communications. However, it died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 271 creates a dedicated endowment fund for the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture (specifically its life sciences and natural resources programs). The bill requires all annual investment earnings from this fund to be fully distributed to the college for direct use on approved agricultural programs, including academic courses supporting Wyoming's farming/ranching industry, extension services, the state veterinary lab, agricultural research, equipment, and faculty recruitment. It mandates detailed annual reporting to state committees on exactly how funds are spent, broken down by program type and faculty positions funded. This endowment directly affects the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and its ability to support Wyoming's agricultural sector through targeted funding.

Maddy summaryHB 194, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible Wyoming students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover approved educational expenses. It directly affects K-12 students who are Wyoming residents and not yet graduated, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational services. The state treasurer administers the program, prohibits using local tax revenues for funding, and requires parents to sign agreements outlining permitted uses. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and was never enacted.