Sen. Chris Rothfuss

Maddy summaryHB 213 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to preschool providers serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk students in Wyoming. It establishes a $50 million endowment fund (funded by a July 1, 2024 transfer from the public school foundation account) and an expenditure account to distribute grants. Eligible providers (including school districts and nonprofit/private organizations) can apply for grants up to $50,000 annually to cover specific costs like teacher salaries, facility leases, parent training, and early childhood learning materials. Grants must be used solely for qualifying student services and require applications submitted by May 15 each year, with awards distributed by October 1.

Maddy summaryThe Reproductive Freedom Act (HB 76) would protect Wyoming residents' right to access abortion care before a fetus is viable or to protect the patient's life or health, prohibiting state interference with this right. It sets penalties for unauthorized abortions performed by providers (misdemeanor with up to one year in jail or $5,000 fine) while exempting patients and those assisting patients in exercising this right. The bill requires any state regulations on abortion to be medically necessary, consistent with medical practice, and impose the least restrictions possible. Additionally, it allows health care providers and private facilities to refuse to perform abortions without facing discrimination or professional penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to add a right to privacy in Wyoming's state constitution. It would insert Article 1, Section 40 stating: "The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed." If approved by voters, this would enshrine a privacy right directly affecting all Wyoming residents by limiting government actions that infringe on personal privacy. The proposal is currently in the introduction stage and requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 80 changes the schedule for distributing county school funds in Wyoming. It removes an additional annual fund transfer, requiring county treasurers to apportion funds only on the second Monday of each month and on June 20 (or the last business day before June 20) each year. This affects county treasurers and school districts by altering when they receive funds from the county school fund, which includes interest, fines, and forfeitures. The bill does not create new funding but modifies the existing distribution timeline. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 91 continues a regulatory reduction task force established in 2023 through 2025. The task force includes 12 members: six legislators (three from each chamber, with co-chairs), three industry representatives (oil/gas, mining, agriculture), one business advocate, one local government representative, and one building industry member, plus nonvoting government agency staff. It requires annual reports by October 1st to the governor and legislature, identifying regulatory burden reductions for Wyoming industries and proposing legislative changes. The bill provides $55,000 in funding for task force operations through June 2026 and terminates the task force on December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a voluntary paid family and medical leave insurance program for Wyoming employees, providing up to 60% wage replacement for 12 weeks per year for qualifying events like childbirth, adoption, caring for a seriously ill family member, or the employee's own serious health condition. The program would roll out in phases: state employees would be offered coverage by March 2025, private employers with two or more employees could choose to offer it by March 2026, and self-employed individuals or small businesses (with one or fewer employees) could purchase individual coverage by March 2027. Employers may opt to cover premiums for their employees but are not required to, and premiums would be pre-tax where permitted by law.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending the Wyoming Constitution to remove the legislature's authority to set "reasonable and necessary restrictions" on health care decisions or payment. If approved by voters, it would eliminate Article 1, Section 38(c), directly affecting all Wyoming residents by ensuring their right to make personal health care choices without legislative interference in defining those limits. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the state constitution. It focuses on constitutional language, not specific health care policies or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 209 modifies Wyoming's law regarding underage alcohol possession by reducing penalties and creating automatic record expungement. It changes the penalty for minors under 21 found possessing, consuming, or having measurable alcohol in their system from a misdemeanor to a $250 fine, and automatically expunges the conviction from all records six months after the fine is paid. This applies to convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2024, and removes the need for a separate court request to clear the record. The bill directly affects individuals under 21 convicted of these specific alcohol violations.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 120 restores civil rights for certain individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses. It automatically restores voting rights for nonviolent felony offenders after they complete their sentence or serve five years (whichever is shorter), and requires a written application to the Department of Corrections for domestic violence misdemeanor offenders to regain firearm rights. The bill also specifies that other rights (like firearm possession) are restored only after voting rights are reinstated. This applies to people convicted of nonviolent felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors under Wyoming law, following specific procedural steps outlined in the bill.

Maddy summarySF 83 modifies how Wyoming school districts and charter schools manage leased K-12 facilities. It requires lease agreements to separately track and report funds dedicated to major facility maintenance, ensuring these funds are used only for that purpose and not diverted elsewhere. Districts must get approval before spending maintenance funds, and they can be reimbursed if leased space isn't counted in square footage calculations for maintenance funding. The bill applies to all districts leasing facilities and takes effect July 1, 2023.