Sen. Cheri Steinmetz

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 224 restricts land ownership by "foreign adversaries" (defined as entities or individuals linked to Russia, China, terrorism-designated countries, or specific international sanctions lists) in all Wyoming real property, except for personal residences under one acre. Owners must register with the Homeland Security office within 60 days of acquisition or July 1, 2025 (whichever is later), and update annually. Failure to register incurs a $5,000 daily civil penalty, and county clerks must report violations to Homeland Security. The law also requires tax assessment notices to inform property owners about the ownership restrictions and registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 173 modifies requirements for independent candidates running for partisan offices in Wyoming. It requires candidates to swear they are unaffiliated with major parties or not registered with one, increases the signature requirement from 2% to 5% of votes cast for the relevant office in the last general election, and extends the petition filing deadline from 70 to 81 days before the primary election. These changes directly affect independent candidates seeking statewide, county, or district offices. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 324 makes employees of Wyoming's secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction "at-will" employees, meaning these officials can terminate them at any time without cause (except for illegal reasons). It exempts these employees from standard executive branch personnel rules, including compensation plans, job classifications, and discipline procedures. The bill does not affect existing employment contracts signed before July 1, 2025, and specifically states it won't override contracts that already specify employment terms. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 238 prohibits individuals from delivering another voter's ballot to a county clerk, except for immediate family members or ballots mailed directly to the clerk. It directly affects voters who might collect others' ballots and election officials who process them, requiring ballots delivered in violation to be excluded from tabulation. The bill creates a felony penalty for knowingly violating this provision, punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. It amends Wyoming election law to clarify ballot delivery rules and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (HB 118) prohibits the state from transferring land to the federal government in a way that increases the federal government's total land holdings in Wyoming. It applies to all sales, exchanges, or conveyances of state-owned land, requiring that no transaction result in a net gain of land (including surface rights, minerals, or water rights) for the federal government. The law amends existing state statutes to enforce this "no net gain" rule for all future land transfers involving the federal government.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 80 requires state investment managers and fiduciaries to consider **only financial factors** when managing state funds, explicitly prohibiting consideration of social, political, or ideological goals. It bans actions like reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting diversity policies, or divesting from gun manufacturers as part of investment decisions. The bill mandates that all proxy votes on state-held stocks must align solely with financial interests and requires annual public reporting of voting records. This directly affects entities managing Wyoming’s retirement funds, permanent funds, and state treasurer investments.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 181) establishes new rules for using eminent domain to take private land for energy collector systems (like solar or wind infrastructure) connected to commercial electricity facilities. It requires developers to negotiate with landowners to secure agreements covering at least 85% of the affected land or 85% of landowners (if three or more are involved) before seeking condemnation. The bill also mandates proof of these negotiations to courts, sets minimum compensation standards based on fair market value, and requires 30 days' notice to county and local officials before filing a condemnation case. These provisions directly affect landowners whose property may be taken and energy developers seeking to expand electricity infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts natural hair braiding from Wyoming's cosmetology licensing requirements. It defines "practice of natural hair braiding" to include hand-twisting, weaving, and extending hair with tools or accessories (but excludes dyeing, chemical treatments, or altering hair structure). Salon owners may still require private certification for braiders working at their locations. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to braiders not otherwise regulated under cosmetology law.

Maddy summaryHB 157 requires voters in Wyoming to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. It defines "proof of U.S. citizenship" to include documents like a Wyoming driver's license (without citizenship indicators), tribal ID cards, U.S. passports, birth certificates, or naturalization certificates. This applies to all voter registration processes, both in-person and by mail, and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects any Wyoming resident seeking to register to vote for the first time or update their registration.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 64 is a state policy resolution opposing a federal rule requiring electronic ear tags for livestock. It states Wyoming's position that the state will continue using traditional identification methods (like brands, ear tags, and tattoos) under existing law, rather than adopting mandatory electronic devices. The bill requires state and local veterinarians to inform livestock producers about these traditional options and clarifies that Wyoming livestock buyers in other states would be responsible for electronic tagging if required there. This bill does not change Wyoming's current identification rules but formally rejects the federal mandate as unnecessary and costly.