Sen. Lynn Hutchings

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 prohibits state agencies, schools, and colleges from using public funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or activities. The bill bans funding for DEI offices, hiring DEI staff, requiring DEI statements, giving preference based on race or gender, and mandating DEI training - unless required by federal law or court orders. Exceptions include academic courses, scholarly research, student organization activities, and data collection related to diversity efforts, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 275 amends Wyoming's felony animal cruelty law to specifically address wildlife. It makes it a felony to intentionally torture, torment, or mutilate wildlife *after* it has been captured ("reduced to possession"), while allowing immediate killing of captured wildlife without violation. The bill adds penalties including license revocation for hunters or trappers convicted under this provision and clarifies that trap owners aren't required to check traps before the time mandated by wildlife regulations. It also removes a reporting requirement for wildlife taken by animal damage control agents.

Maddy summaryHB 331 restricts how people can hunt or kill wildlife on public lands in Wyoming. It prohibits using vehicles (like cars or snowmobiles) to hunt, shoot, or kill any wildlife except predatory animals (such as coyotes or wolves) on public lands. On private lands, the bill allows vehicle use to hunt predatory animals only. The law also bans harassing, injuring, or killing wildlife with vehicles on public lands and requires the Game and Fish Commission to create implementing rules. It does not affect government agency operations or handicapped hunters under specific exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 147 prohibits all Wyoming state and local government entities - including state agencies, schools, universities, counties, and cities - from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, activities, or policies. It defines "institutional discrimination" as concepts like claiming inherent superiority based on race or requiring individuals to acknowledge guilt based on their race, and bans governmental entities from requiring attendance at related trainings. The bill mandates that all affected entities comply by July 1, 2025, including creating necessary rules. It directly affects all public institutions in Wyoming that receive state funding or operate under state authority.

Maddy summaryHB 327 would change who appoints Wyoming's attorney general, shifting authority from the governor to a majority of the state loan and investment board (an elected body). The bill requires this board's approval for the attorney general to settle lawsuits or take certain legal actions on behalf of the state. It also specifies that vacancies would be filled by the board, not the governor. This bill focuses solely on the appointment process and oversight structure, not the attorney general's duties or legal authority. The bill died in committee in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 125 repeals Wyoming’s existing law (W.S. 31-11-102) that defined "unauthorized use of a vehicle" as a crime. This bill directly affects the state’s criminal code by removing this specific offense, meaning the unauthorized use of a vehicle will no longer be prosecuted under this statute. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not create new penalties or alter other vehicle-related laws. The bill is procedural, with no additional mechanisms or provisions beyond the repeal.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 147) expands Wyoming's protections for service and assistance animals by explicitly including animals currently in training under the legal definitions of these animals. It increases criminal penalties for injuring or killing such animals, making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $5,000 fine. The law applies directly to individuals who harm or kill service animals (including those in training) or assistance animals, and affects all Wyoming residents and businesses serving people with disabilities. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

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 summaryHB 222 (Medical Ethics Defense Act-2) protects healthcare workers, hospitals, insurers, and other healthcare entities in Wyoming from being forced to provide or pay for specific health services that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It allows them to refuse participation in or payment for such services without facing discrimination, job loss, license penalties, or other adverse actions. The law explicitly states this protection does not override duties to provide emergency care or other non-conflicting services, and it defines key terms like "conscience" and "health care service" to clarify coverage. The bill creates new legal safeguards for conscience-based decisions within healthcare delivery.

Maddy summarySF 83 requires legislative approval before state funds can be used for large energy projects exceeding $400,000. It mandates that state agencies, universities, cities, and counties (awarding entities) report annual project details to the legislature and seek new approval for any project funding beyond $200,000 after initial authorization. The bill defines "large energy projects" broadly to include carbon capture, hydrogen production, solar, wind, and other energy infrastructure. It applies to all state-funded projects starting July 1, 2025, shifting approval authority from agencies to the legislature for significant energy investments.