Sen. Chris Rothfuss

Maddy summaryHB 170 establishes a spending policy for Wyoming's Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account, limiting annual withdrawals to 5% of the trust's five-year average market value (phased in over 2024-2028). It also modifies how funds flow to the Wyoming's Tomorrow Scholarship endowment, requiring transfers back to the endowment when the scholarship expenditure account exceeds 9% of its five-year average market value. The bill directly affects state financial management of these two trust funds, ensuring spending aligns with long-term fund values. Key mechanisms include the phased calculation method for the wildlife trust's spending limit and the 9% threshold for scholarship fund transfers.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 214 creates a "regulatory sandbox" program allowing businesses to temporarily test new products or services without complying with certain state laws or regulations. It directly affects innovators (like tech startups or new service providers) with a physical presence in Wyoming, requiring them to apply to the state council for approval. Key provisions include mandatory applications detailing consumer benefits, risks, and specific regulations sought to be waived, along with strict safeguards to protect consumer safety and ensure no federal law conflicts. The council coordinates with state agencies to approve waivers only for demonstrably safe, consumer-benefiting innovations during a limited testing period.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits abortions after fetal viability (when a fetus can survive outside the womb) except to preserve a woman’s life or health, or in cases of incest or sexual assault (with assault reports required within 5 days of the incident or victim’s capacity to report). It also bans state funds from covering abortions except in those specific exceptions. The bill repeals prior conflicting provisions in Wyoming law regarding abortion restrictions and funding. These changes apply immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits train lengths in Wyoming to 8,500 feet or the shortest passing track/siding length on any route, whichever is shorter, and prohibits trains from routinely blocking intersections for over 10 minutes. Railroad companies operating in Wyoming must comply with these rules, facing fines of $500-$1,000 per foot for exceeding limits, or up to $250,000 for gross negligence causing injury. Penalties collected are deposited into the state highway fund. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 77 modifies Wyoming's definition of "average daily membership" (ADM), the metric used to calculate state school funding. It lowers the threshold for counting part-time students as full-time from 80% to 75% of a full-time schedule, allowing districts to include more part-time students in funding calculations. The bill clarifies that part-time enrollment is prorated based on actual hours attended versus full-time hours, and excludes students absent over 10 consecutive days or withdrawn. This change directly affects school districts receiving state education funding starting with the 2023-2024 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 277 allows Wyoming county treasurers to issue vehicle registration certificates electronically instead of on paper. It extends the grace period for displaying license plates from the current requirement to 30 days after registration, meaning vehicle owners have up to 30 days to display physical plates after receiving their registration. The bill directly affects all Wyoming vehicle owners who register their vehicles, updating how registration documentation is provided and displayed. These changes take effect July 1, 2023, and amend specific sections of Wyoming law regarding registration issuance and plate display requirements.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 263 automatically restores voting rights for nonviolent felons once they complete their full sentence, including probation, parole, and fines. It applies to Wyoming convictions completed after January 1, 2010, without requiring a separate application, and streamlines the process for out-of-state or federal nonviolent felony convictions. The bill repeals previous application requirements and takes effect July 1, 2023. This change specifically affects voting eligibility only - nonviolent felons remain ineligible for jury duty or public office under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 223 establishes a grant program using Wyoming Education Trust Fund revenues to provide financial assistance to preschool providers serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk students. The program offers grants of up to $50,000 annually for specific expenses like teacher salaries, facility leases, insurance, and parent training materials, with applications due by May 15 and funds distributed by October 1. Eligible providers include school districts, private non-profits, and for-profit organizations that meet federal TANF program criteria. The initiative is funded by a $50 million transfer from the public school foundation program to the trust fund, replacing an existing grant program.

Maddy summaryHB 201 creates the Hathaway Fallen First Responder Scholarship, providing financial aid to children of Wyoming first responders who died while on duty. It directly affects students whose custodial parent or guardian was a Wyoming resident first responder (as defined by Wyoming law) killed in the line of duty, and who graduated from an accredited high school (in Wyoming or out-of-state). To qualify, students must have a minimum 2.50 high school GPA and score at or above the 43rd percentile on a national college entrance exam. The scholarship offers $1,680 per semester for full-time enrollment (12+ hours), prorated for fewer hours, and is funded through Wyoming's existing Hathaway scholarship program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 9) proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Wyoming's Constitution that would establish a fundamental right to privacy for all residents. It would create a new Section 40 in Article 1 stating: "The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed." The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the state Constitution. As a proposed constitutional change, it does not take effect immediately but would directly affect all Wyoming citizens if approved by voters.