Rep. Bob Wharff

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 26 as "Shared Parenting Day" in Wyoming through a ceremonial resolution. It does not change custody laws or create new obligations; instead, it formally recognizes the state's commitment to raising awareness about shared parenting arrangements. The resolution cites research on child well-being benefits when children maintain relationships with both parents after separation or divorce. This designation applies statewide and aims to promote community reflection on shared parenting, affecting all Wyoming residents through annual observance.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 126, the "Human heartbeat act," prohibits most abortion procedures after a detectable fetal heartbeat is identified (typically around 6 weeks gestation), directly affecting pregnant individuals seeking abortions and healthcare providers performing them. The bill requires healthcare providers to confirm a detectable heartbeat via standard medical equipment before proceeding with an abortion, except in cases of medical emergencies that threaten the patient's life or major bodily function. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by up to five years in prison or $10,000 fines, and healthcare professionals face mandatory license revocation for noncompliance. The law creates new definitions, exceptions for medical emergencies, and penalties for violations, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 98 amends Wyoming law to add criminal penalties for violating the Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act. It makes knowingly violating this law a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals who improperly seize firearms under the red flag law, such as law enforcement or officials acting outside legal authority. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying red flag seizure procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 102 prohibits the creation and distribution of AI-generated sexual images of children without consent (Section 6-4-307) and bans developing or distributing AI systems specifically designed to create or promote child sexual material (Section 6-4-308). It makes these acts felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fines, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses. The bill also clarifies that using AI to commit crimes isn’t a defense (Section 6-1-206) and provides limited immunity for AI developers who didn’t intend illegal use. It directly affects developers of AI tools, distributors of nonconsensual deepfakes, and individuals using AI to exploit children.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 96 lowers the minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18 years. It directly affects 18- to 20-year-olds who previously could not legally carry concealed weapons under state law. The bill amends permit eligibility requirements in statute and adds legal immunity for officials issuing or denying permits. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 39 clarifies that individuals who have had their firearm rights restored under the laws of another state may legally possess firearms in Wyoming. The bill amends statutes (W.S. 6-8-102 and 6-10-106) to explicitly recognize out-of-state rights restoration as valid for Wyoming residents convicted of felonies or violent misdemeanors. This directly affects people with prior convictions who had their firearm rights restored in another jurisdiction but faced uncertainty under Wyoming law. The change takes effect immediately upon becoming law, removing barriers for these individuals to legally own firearms in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Wyoming's rules for involuntary mental health treatment. It expands the list of qualified professionals who can conduct initial examinations for individuals needing hospitalization, while requiring a licensed physician or psychologist to review findings if non-physician examiners are used. For outpatient commitment (where patients don't require hospitalization but need supervision), courts must set a maximum two-year period with mandatory court reviews every six months. These changes apply to all Wyoming courts handling mental health commitment cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's state guard laws to remove the requirement that the National Guard must be activated into federal service before the state guard can be organized. It allows the governor to directly establish and maintain the Wyoming state guard without federal involvement, specifying that state funds - not federal - will cover personnel costs. Eligibility is updated to include Wyoming residents aged 17-65, and the bill appropriates $25,000 from the state general fund to establish the state guard and council of defense through June 2028. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows hunters who have shot a black bear to use one leashed blood-trailing dog to track and recover the animal within 72 hours of the shot. It directly affects hunters who harvest black bears in Wyoming, permitting this specific tracking method under defined conditions. The key provision requires the dog to remain leashed and limits tracking to wounded or killed bears within the 72-hour window. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 26 exempts vehicles owned by the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes (Wind River Indian Reservation) from Wyoming's county and state vehicle registration fees. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include tribal government vehicles under the exemption list, which previously covered federal/state/local governments and certain districts. This change applies only to vehicles used for tribal operations, not commercial activity. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects tribal governments' operational costs for their official vehicles.