Sen. Tom James

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 27 establishes mandatory visitation rights for patients in healthcare facilities who stay more than five consecutive days. The bill requires facilities to allow unrestricted visitation and lets patients or their representatives choose visitors or limit access. It directly affects patients receiving extended care and healthcare facilities statewide. The law takes effect July 1, 2022, and prohibits facilities from imposing visitation restrictions under this provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a system for state employees and the public to anonymously report government waste, fraud, or abuse via phone or online. It requires the state audit department to review reports, protect reporters' identities, and refer serious cases to prosecutors or agencies for investigation. Government entities receiving referrals must investigate and report back on corrective actions, while the state would publicly post details of violations, costs, penalties, and investigation efforts. It also prohibits employment in state government for individuals convicted of waste or fraud.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 amends education law to require constitutional instruction in public schools and colleges, mandating at least three years of study in K-8 and one year in secondary/college. The bill explicitly excludes concepts described as "critical race theory" or "critical theory" from the required curriculum, defining "American institutions and ideals" to not include ideas that "inflame divisions" based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. This directly affects all public schools and colleges in Wyoming receiving state funding. The law took effect July 1, 2022.

Maddy summarySF 93 requires Wyoming's Legislative Service Office to publish each legislator's detailed roll call voting records on the official legislative website. This includes specific data for every vote: year, bill number, catch title, sponsor, amendment number, vote type, result, and date. The bill directly affects all Wyoming legislators by mandating this transparency on their official profile pages. It became effective July 1, 2022, and does not alter voting procedures or policy outcomes - only the public accessibility of voting history.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 87, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, declares that certain federal gun regulations within the state are unconstitutional and prohibits state officials from enforcing them. It defines "law abiding citizen" (excluding undocumented individuals) and allows civil lawsuits against officials who enforce federal gun laws deemed beyond federal authority. The bill asserts that federal actions restricting firearm possession, sale, or ownership within Wyoming exceed constitutional limits, except for regulations related to the military or active militia. This procedural bill, which failed to advance in 2022, does not change state gun laws but aims to block federal enforcement of gun regulations it deems invalid.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 58 requires all public high school students to pass a civics exam to graduate, using the same test used for U.S. citizenship (minimum 60% score). The bill mandates that schools teach the U.S. Constitution (including the Bill of Rights), Wyoming's constitution, and American ideals from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students graduating in 2022-2023 or later must pass this specific exam as a graduation requirement. The law affects all Wyoming public high school students and takes effect July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 133, the "Second Amendment Preservation Act-2," prohibits state officials from enforcing federal laws or actions that the state deems unconstitutional restrictions on firearm ownership within Wyoming. It directly affects Wyoming residents (defined as legally present citizens without certain disqualifications) and state officials who might otherwise comply with federal gun regulations. Key provisions include allowing citizens to sue officials for enforcing such federal actions and establishing that Wyoming retains authority to regulate firearms under state law and the Second Amendment. The bill asserts state sovereignty by declaring federal actions that infringe on firearm rights - like data collection or possession restrictions - unconstitutional within Wyoming's borders.

Maddy summaryHB 115 allows licensed hunters in Wyoming to legally sell trimmings (the parts left after processing big game animals or wild bison, excluding landfill-required portions) instead of disposing of them. The bill defines "trimmings" as all parts destined for disposal after processing and grants the wildlife commission authority to further specify which parts qualify. It directly affects licensed hunters who process game and businesses that may purchase these trimmings. The law amends existing regulations to permit this sale while maintaining disposal requirements for certain parts, effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 112) limits how Wyoming cities and towns can collect past-due payments for trash, recycling, water, or sewer services. It states that municipalities may only recover such payments if a property owner has a specific written contract for that service. The law does not change existing contracts signed before the bill's effective date (July 1, 2022). It directly affects property owners who use municipal services and the cities/towns providing those services.

Maddy summaryHB 26 restricts individuals from holding both a paid public job and an elected public office if the two positions involve governmental entities that fund or receive funding from each other. It requires anyone who holds one public office or employment to resign from it before accepting a new elected position or job that creates such a funding relationship. The law applies broadly to all state and local government units, including counties, cities, school districts, and special districts. This bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by ensuring public officials don't simultaneously serve in roles where their employment and elected duties could conflict due to funding ties. The law takes effect January 1, 2024.