Sen. Evie Brennan

Maddy summaryHB 144 clarifies the membership requirements for Wyoming county canvassing boards that certify election results. It specifies that boards must include the county clerk plus two voters from different political parties, appointed by the county clerk if major party committees fail to select members. The bill updates election code sections to require this bipartisan composition, sets compensation equal to election judges, and mandates that canvassing for special district elections be completed within seven business days. This affects county clerks, election boards, and voters in all counties conducting elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a property tax exemption for surviving parents of veterans who died while serving honorably in a war, conflict, or specified period (a "gold star veteran"), if there is no surviving spouse. To qualify, surviving parents must be Wyoming residents for at least three years and file a sworn claim with their county assessor by the fourth Monday in May, covering property they own or hold in a trust for their benefit. Divorced parents living separately may each claim the exemption in their respective counties. The Department of Revenue must create implementing rules, and the exemption takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming public school districts to designate all multiple-occupancy restrooms and changing rooms as exclusively for males or females based on sex assigned at birth. It mandates reasonable accommodations like single-occupancy rooms for students who cannot use designated facilities, while allowing exceptions for maintenance staff, emergency medical help, and coaches under specific conditions (e.g., accompanied by same-sex adults). School districts failing to comply risk losing accreditation, and parents can sue for noncompliance. The law directly affects public school students, staff, and districts, with enforcement tied to state education standards. (Note: Bill is pending in Wyoming Legislature as of 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 199, titled the "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act" (not "Steamboat Legacy," which appears to be a misreference), creates a state-funded scholarship program for K-12 students in Wyoming. It increases the maximum annual scholarship from $6,000 to $7,000 for students at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, with annual inflation adjustments, and funds it through a new "Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Program Account" using state education revenues. The bill eliminates mandatory certification for private schools and providers but adds voluntary registration, while prohibiting funding from local taxes. It directly affects low-income Wyoming families seeking to use scholarships for public, private, or online education options.

Maddy summaryHB 72 requires public facilities in Wyoming, including schools, correctional facilities, and government buildings, to designate multi-occupancy changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters exclusively for males or females. It prohibits access to opposite-sex designated areas and allows individuals to sue public entities if they encounter someone of the opposite sex in a designated space, unless exceptions apply (like single-occupancy unisex rooms, medical emergencies, or cleaning staff). The bill defines "female" and "male" biologically and specifies that civil lawsuits must be filed within two years of a violation, with successful plaintiffs able to recover attorney fees. This directly affects public facility operators and users in shared spaces, aiming to enforce single-sex facility use through legal accountability.

Maddy summarySF 162 requires Wyoming school districts to use all funds allocated for teachers under the education resource block grant model exclusively for teacher salaries, health insurance, and benefits starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It applies to all districts except charter schools, schools with fewer than 49 students, and districts with fewer than 243 students. The state education department must collect annual data on teacher spending and report findings to education committees by October 1 each year, including recommendations for refining the grant model. These provisions ensure transparency and direct funding toward teacher-related expenses as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 60 requires all public schools, the University of Wyoming, and Wyoming community colleges to designate athletic teams by sex and prohibits male students from competing on teams designated for female students. The bill creates legal remedies allowing schools or students harmed by violations to seek damages, attorney fees, and injunctions through private lawsuits within two years of the violation. It defines "female" and "male" based on biological reproductive systems and prohibits schools from participating in female-designated sports with teams known to include male students. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for all institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 106 creates a "Monument to America Development and Oversight Task Force" in Wyoming to plan a large-scale monument commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The task force, composed of state officials, tribal liaisons, and former leaders, must develop monument specifications (similar to Mount Rushmore), select a location on school trust lands for long-term benefit to public schools, and submit recommendations by July 4, 2026. The bill appropriates $40,000 for non-legislative members and $40,000 for legislative members to cover expenses through June 30, 2027, with the task force terminating after that date. This bill directly affects Wyoming's state government, school trust lands, and taxpayers through the allocated funding.

Maddy summaryHB 100 allows Wyoming school districts and charter schools to hire certain K-12 staff without teaching certificates or permits, provided they adopt specific board policies. These policies require applicants to be at least 18 years old and undergo criminal background checks, including fingerprinting. The bill amends existing laws to permit this hiring path while maintaining background check requirements for uncertified personnel. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 149 prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against adoption and foster care agencies that decline placements based on religious beliefs. It specifically protects religious organizations (including faith-based groups) that provide these services, ensuring they cannot be excluded or penalized for refusing to place children with same-sex couples or others due to sincerely held religious convictions. The law creates new legal protections requiring government entities to avoid actions that conflict with an agency’s religious practices, consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedents like *Fulton v. Philadelphia*. It directly affects adoption/foster care providers and government agencies managing child welfare services in Wyoming.