Sen. Stephan Pappas

Maddy summaryThis bill requires regular drivers to yield to roadside service and tire repair vehicles when they're stopped or moving slowly near roadways. It allows these vehicles to use flashing white, amber, red, or blue lights and exempts them from having to install horns or sirens like emergency vehicles. The law directly affects roadside service crews, tire repair businesses, and all other drivers sharing roads with these vehicles. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 168 prohibits requesting an employer's experience rating to assess their safety record, including for construction projects in Wyoming. It requires the state worker's compensation division to determine within 15 days (or 45 days with additional information) whether an injury should be charged to an employer's account, and states such determinations can only be used for setting insurance premiums - not in court. The bill also clarifies that experience rating adjustments for premiums are capped at 65% until 2016 and 85% from 2017, and ensures injuries caused by third parties are not charged to employers. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 188 requires elected voting for directors of county boards and special districts in Wyoming that spend or budget over $20 million annually on average across the previous five fiscal years. Starting with the 2028 general election, these boards must hold elections for all directors unless their budget falls below $20 million or another law already mandates elections. The bill applies to boards currently appointed by county commissions, such as airport authorities and special districts, and updates related statutes to align with this requirement. It does not change current appointment rules for smaller-budget entities or districts with existing election processes.

Maddy summaryHB 77 repeals Wyoming's current zoning protest process (W.S. 15-1-603), ending a mechanism that allowed residents or property owners to challenge zoning decisions through formal petitions. The bill directly affects residents, developers, and local governments in cities and towns by removing this specific appeal method for new zoning actions starting July 1, 2026. However, it preserves the validity of any protests filed under the repealed law before July 1, 2026, ensuring ongoing cases aren't disrupted. The law is procedural, with no new requirements or funding impacts, simply eliminating an existing administrative process.

Maddy summaryHB 82 authorizes Wyoming to use up to $250 million from the permanent mineral trust fund to provide low-interest loans for highway construction projects approved by the transportation commission, with repayment required by 2030. The bill specifically directs funds toward adding passing lanes on U.S. Highway 20 between Casper and Shoshoni after traffic studies. It requires the state auditor to transfer funds from a "strategic investments account" back to the mineral trust fund starting in 2027, capping annual transfers at $50 million or remaining loan balances. The bill also modifies how transportation funds are distributed and requires annual reports on public-purpose investments. This directly affects the Department of Transportation, mineral trust fund finances, and drivers using Highway 20.

Maddy summaryHB 37 makes several county elected offices nonpartisan in Wyoming, directly affecting county clerks, treasurers, assessors, coroners, sheriffs, county prosecutors, district attorneys, and clerks of the district court. The bill requires nonpartisan primary elections for these positions, changes ballot order to group them together, and sets a minimum of 25 write-in votes needed for candidates to appear on future ballots. It also modifies vacancy procedures for these nonpartisan offices and updates related election laws. The bill does not change eligibility rules or create new offices, only altering election procedures for existing county positions.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (SJ 2), not a bill with binding provisions. It calls on Wyoming’s three U.S. congressional representatives to support state authority over elections and campaign finance rules. The resolution urges them to advocate for a constitutional amendment affirming states' power to govern their own election processes and campaign finance policies. It does not create new laws or directly affect citizens; it is a symbolic statement from Wyoming’s legislature to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summaryHB 27 ensures that when land is annexed by a city or town, counties continue handling pending building permits and land use applications until those applications are officially approved or denied. After a decision is made, jurisdiction automatically transfers to the annexing city or town. The bill prohibits counties from arbitrarily denying such applications solely to force this transfer. It applies to all pending applications filed on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 81, the "Less is More Plate Act," would have removed the requirement for Wyoming vehicle owners to display a license plate on the front of their vehicles, while keeping the rear plate requirement. This bill directly affected all drivers who currently display front plates under Wyoming law (W.S. 31-2-205(a)(i)). The key provision repealed front plate mandates in multiple sections of the vehicle code, including those governing registration and display rules. The bill failed to pass in the Wyoming House (38-23) in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 165) amends Wyoming's election law (W.S. 22-3-116) to update how county clerks notify voters about potential registration cancellations. It allows county clerks to send cancellation notices via email in addition to mailing them, while keeping the current 20-day window for voters to request their name remain on the registry. The bill directly affects voters whose registrations may be canceled (e.g., due to inactivity or moving) and county clerks managing voter rolls. It does not change the requirement to notify voters before cancellation or the exceptions (like voting in another state or written request). The changes take effect July 1, 2025.