Wyoming's SJ 4 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments focused on fiscal restraint, limiting federal power, and setting term limits for federal officials. The resolution specifies that the convention must not consider changes to the Bill of Rights and must operate with each state having one vote. The bill failed to pass during introduction in the Wyoming Senate on February 15, 2024, with 17 votes in favor and 14 against. This procedural resolution does not directly change laws but seeks to initiate a state-driven process for potential constitutional amendments.
H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0
HB 119 would create a grant program to help Wyoming school districts hire additional mental health staff, including school counselors, nurses, and community mental health providers, for K-12 students during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. The program, funded by a $37 million appropriation, would provide grants calculated at $206 per student based on each district’s previous year’s enrollment, with applications due by June 30 annually. School districts receiving grants must report on fund usage and student impact, and the state education department would submit annual effectiveness reports to the legislature by 2025.
This bill creates the "Wyoming Dividend Account" within the state's legislative stabilization fund. It would allow the legislature to distribute cash payments to qualifying Wyoming residents annually, based on specific eligibility criteria (e.g., full-year residency, no felony convictions in the prior year, not claimed as a dependent on federal taxes). Funding for these payments would come from 0.5% of annual investment earnings from Wyoming's mineral trust fund, with the remainder going to other state accounts. The bill failed to advance in the legislature (12-19 vote on February 14, 2024) and was never enacted.
HB 51 amends Wyoming's public indecency law to specifically prohibit exposing intimate parts in public places with the intent to intimidate or harass others, in addition to the existing prohibition for sexual arousal. This directly affects individuals who expose intimate parts in view of others intending to cause fear or distress. The key change adds "intimidate or harass" as a separate prohibited intent under the law, expanding the circumstances where such exposure becomes a criminal offense. The bill would take effect July 1, 2024, if enacted. The bill failed committee passage in February 2024.
HB 47 creates a state grant program to help government entities clean up illegal trash dumps. It allows cities, counties, tribes (like the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho), or other local governments to apply for grants up to $125,000 to fund cleanup efforts at sites where waste was dumped illegally. Applicants must provide a 10% local match, describe the dumpsite and cleanup plan, and agree to use funds only for remediation. The program is funded through a dedicated account, with annual reports required on grant usage. This bill directly affects communities dealing with illegal dumping by providing financial support for cleanup.
HB 87 amends Wyoming's livestock disease reporting rules to clarify how brucellosis test results must be shared. It requires the Wyoming Livestock Board to provide positive brucellosis test results directly to animal owners within 3 days and to all county brand inspectors and veterinarians within 7 days of receiving preliminary lab results. These changes apply specifically to livestock owners, veterinarians, and brand inspectors in counties where a positive test occurs. The bill does not alter disease control measures but ensures timely, targeted information sharing to manage outbreaks. The bill is effective July 1, 2024.
HB 53 amends Wyoming law to clarify the process for declaring and managing public health emergencies. It requires the governor to immediately call the legislature into session within two days of declaring an emergency, allowing lawmakers to vote remotely via video/audio conference to either confirm the emergency or end it. The bill updates the definition of "public health emergency" to include epidemics, pandemics, or biological threats posing significant health risks, and specifies that healthcare provider exemptions (like out-of-state physical therapists or acupuncturists) during emergencies apply only to declarations after July 1, 2024. These changes directly affect the governor, legislature, and healthcare providers seeking temporary practice authorization during declared emergencies.
HB 85 would require social media companies to obtain parental permission before minors under 18 can create accounts on their platforms. It defines "minor" as unmarried, unemancipated Wyoming residents under 18 and mandates platforms to verify consent through rules created by the attorney general. The law would deny access to minors who haven't provided verified parental consent, with enforcement under Wyoming's Consumer Protection Act. The bill failed committee review in February 2024 and is not currently law.
HB 69 requires written consent from surface landowners (who aren't the mine permit holder or mineral owner) before any mine permit or reclamation plan can be revised. The bill amends Wyoming law to mandate this approval for all permit revisions or plan changes submitted after July 1, 2024, directly affecting landowners whose property is impacted by mining operations. Key provisions include prohibiting revisions without the surface owner's written agreement and applying to all mining permits except surface coal mining. This change shifts decision-making authority to landowners for modifications to existing mining operations on their land.
This 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.
HB 105 exempts insurance settlement payments used to purchase replacement vehicles from Wyoming's sales and use taxes. It directly affects Wyoming residents who receive insurance payouts after vehicle damage and use those funds within 90 days to buy a new motor vehicle, house trailer, trailer coach, or similar vehicle. The bill amends tax code sections to exclude the insurance payment amount from the taxable sales price of the replacement vehicle, provided the original vehicle was acquired by the insurance company through a damage settlement. This change applies only to vehicles subject to sales tax and requires the replacement purchase to occur within 90 days of receiving the insurance payment. The bill was introduced in February 2024 but failed committee consideration on February 14, 2024.
