Rep. Martha Lawley

Maddy summaryHJ 7 is a non-binding resolution requesting the Wyoming State Board of Education to amend social studies content standards to include teaching about the negative consequences of communism, fascism, and socialism in the 20th and 21st centuries. It specifically asks for curriculum that covers documented historical abuses (such as human rights violations and loss of freedoms) under these ideologies and compares them with U.S. principles like democracy and individual rights. The resolution does not mandate changes but urges the Board to consider adding these teaching benchmarks during their standard review process. If adopted, this would affect social studies curriculum in Wyoming public schools, altering how these political ideologies are taught to students.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 192 proposes changes to penalties for drivers who refuse chemical tests after a DUI arrest when a search warrant has been obtained. The bill increases penalties for refusal to include up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, and mandatory license suspension (30 days to one year) for all drivers, including those under 21 and commercial drivers. It also allows refusal to be used as evidence in court and requires offenders to complete substance use disorder assessments and treatment at their own expense. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires three-judge panels to handle cases challenging the constitutionality of Wyoming state laws or session laws. When a party seeks an injunction against a law's enforcement, the district court clerk must notify the state court administrator, who then randomly selects two judges from other districts to join the local judge on a panel. Individual judges may no longer issue permanent injunctions blocking state laws in these cases - only temporary orders for up to 30 days while the panel reviews the challenge. All decisions by these panels are appealable directly to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Maddy summaryHB 132 requires nicotine product manufacturers (especially e-cigarette and vapor material makers) to obtain a license and file detailed certifications with the state. It bans marketing tactics targeting minors (like cartoon characters, celebrity endorsements, or game features in products), restricts advertising, and mandates a public directory of approved products. Retailers must sell only products listed in this directory, face biannual inspections, and violations carry fines up to $1,500 per offense. The bill is currently pending (failed introduction on February 11, 2026) and would apply to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers selling nicotine products in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for the Wyoming Supreme Court to adjust court automation fees annually. It requires the Supreme Court to set fees based on actual costs (without exceeding them), maintain records, and submit annual reports to legislative committees. The fee changes directly affect courts (district, supreme, and municipal) and individuals filing court documents, as these fees fund court technology systems. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that the $40 automation fee (currently charged for most civil filings) must be adjusted to cover technology costs, with the Supreme Court having authority to modify the amount. The bill focuses on procedural adjustments to fee-setting, not new services or eligibility changes.

Maddy summaryHB 156 requires voters in Wyoming to prove they have been a bona fide resident of the state for at least 30 days before an election. It mandates that voters provide documentation verifying their residency when registering and prohibits registration based on documents showing noncitizen status. The bill defines "proof of residence" and directs the Secretary of State to establish acceptable documents through rulemaking. This affects all individuals registering to vote in Wyoming elections by adding a residency verification step to the registration process.

Maddy summaryHB 62 amends Wyoming's prostitution and solicitation laws to explicitly include "sexual contact" as a prohibited act. The bill defines "sexual contact" as touching intimate areas (or clothing covering them) with sexual intent, expanding the scope of what constitutes prostitution. This change directly affects individuals engaging in or soliciting sexual contact for money, now covered under existing misdemeanor penalties of up to six months in jail or a $750 fine. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, updating statutes W.S. 6-4-101 and 6-4-102.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Wyoming's threshold for simplified probate procedures from $200,000 to $500,000 for estates. It directly affects residents and nonresidents with smaller estates (valued under $500,000 after debts) who qualify for streamlined distribution without full court supervision. Key provisions raise the value limit for summary procedures under W.S. 2-1-205, simplify nonresident estate processing under W.S. 2-11-201 and 2-11-202, and clarify disclaimer rules under W.S. 2-1-403. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, reducing administrative burdens for smaller estates.

Maddy summarySF 171 amends Wyoming law to update requirements for cities and towns conducting boundary surveys when their boundaries are unclear or after annexation. It requires surveyors to mark boundaries with substantial monuments, describe them using physical landmarks and measurements (metes and bounds), and reference U.S. survey lines where possible. The survey report and field notes must be filed with both the city/town clerk and the county clerk. This procedural change affects all Wyoming municipalities needing boundary clarification and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 43 requires commercial websites that profit from content harmful to minors (such as obscene material or child pornography) to verify users' ages before allowing access. Covered platforms must use specific, accepted methods like driver's licenses, passports, or credit cards (excluding those not requiring users to be 18+) to confirm users are not under 18. The law creates legal liability for platforms that fail to verify ages, imposing penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, and allows parents or minors to sue for damages. It directly affects commercial online platforms hosting such content, not general websites or non-profit services.