HB 112, introduced in Wyoming in 2019, proposed a change to how electric utilities' service areas are defined. The bill would have amended state law to specify that an electric utility's certificated service area is determined at the point where electricity is delivered to a customer, rather than at another location. This change would directly affect electric utilities and the Public Service Commission, which oversees utility service areas. The bill was introduced but died in committee in February 2019 and never became law.
HB 144 would allow Wyoming peace officers to issue a citation (instead of making an arrest) for certain misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment if the person poses a danger to themselves or others, might damage property, might skip court, or refuses to accept the citation. For misdemeanors without imprisonment as a possible penalty, the bill would require officers to issue a citation rather than make an arrest unless the same four conditions are met. This change would directly affect how police handle minor criminal charges in Wyoming, reducing unnecessary arrests for low-level offenses. The key mechanism is expanding the circumstances under which a citation can replace an arrest, focusing on public safety and court appearance.
HB 233 establishes Wyoming's first state income tax system. It imposes a 0% tax on the first $200,000 of taxable income and a 4% tax on amounts above that threshold. The bill creates administrative rules for the Department of Revenue to collect the tax, requiring taxpayers with over $200,000 in income to file annual returns (matching federal filing deadlines), while exempting those with $200,000 or less. Key provisions include confidentiality protections for tax returns, apportionment rules for multi-state income, and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance. This bill, which died in committee in 2019, would have directly affected Wyoming residents and businesses earning taxable income.
Wyoming's HB 224 clarifies that existing oil and gas regulations apply to land where the surface owner does not own the mineral rights (a "split estate"). It directly affects landowners and oil/gas operators in these situations, requiring them to follow statutory requirements before operations begin. The bill explicitly excludes public utilities regulated by Wyoming's Public Service Commission and federally regulated natural gas pipelines from these rules. The bill was proposed to take effect July 1, 2019, but died in committee and was never enacted.
HB 223, introduced in Wyoming's 2019 legislative session, proposed changing qualifications for county assessors by requiring them to own real property within their county. Currently, assessors only needed to be qualified electors; this bill would have added the property ownership requirement. If enacted, it would directly affect all future county assessor candidates in Wyoming. The bill died in committee and never became law, so no policy changes were implemented.
HB 232 requires horse racing permittees in Wyoming to contribute 10% of funds retained from historic pari-mutuel events to a "live event fund." This fund, administered by the pari-mutuel commission, must be used exclusively to enhance purses for live horse racing events at Wyoming tracks. The bill directly affects licensed horse racing venues by redirecting a portion of their historic event revenue toward improving prize money for current live races. It became effective July 1, 2019, though it died in committee before becoming law.
HB 240 exempts drivers operating irrigation district vehicles from Wyoming's commercial vehicle licensing and regulatory requirements when used solely for operating or maintaining irrigation infrastructure. The bill specifically covers vehicles driven for tasks related to headgates, canals, laterals, ditches, pipelines, and reservoirs. This exemption applies to irrigation district employees performing routine facility maintenance and operations, removing a layer of administrative burden for these specific duties. The policy change was intended to take effect July 1, 2019, though the bill did not advance beyond committee.
HB 186 reduces the tax rate on out-of-state shipments of manufactured wine in Wyoming from 12% to 8% of the retail price. It requires out-of-state wine shippers to file monthly reports with the Liquor Division by the 10th of the following month, including shipment invoices, and pay the tax due. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019, and imposes a $25 late filing fee for reports submitted after the deadline. This directly affects businesses shipping wine into Wyoming from other states.
Wyoming's HB 262 would have created a new restricted license for "associate physicians" who are not in medical residency programs. This license would allow them to provide primary care only in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations, under mandatory collaborative agreements with supervising physicians. The bill required associate physicians to identify themselves as such, meet specific USMLE exam deadlines, and adhere to strict prescribing limitations for controlled substances. The bill died in committee in 2019 and never became law.
HB 183 repeals restrictions that previously banned concealed weapons in certain public spaces, allowing permit holders to carry concealed firearms in government meetings, the legislature, and most public schools (with exceptions for specific school district policies under existing law). It establishes that only the Wyoming state legislature can regulate firearms, weapons, and ammunition, preempting local governments from creating their own firearm restrictions. The bill explicitly preserves private property owners' rights to ban firearms on their land and maintains existing prohibitions in courtrooms. This directly affects concealed carry permit holders, local governments seeking to regulate firearms, and school districts managing firearm policies on school property.
HB 312 merges Wyoming's separate State Board of Barber Examiners and State Board of Cosmetology into a single unified "State Board of Barbers and Cosmetology." This bill affects licensed barbers, cosmetologists, and related professionals by combining their regulatory oversight under one board with updated membership requirements (six members total: three cosmetologists and three barbers). Key provisions include revising definitions (e.g., renaming "Board" to reflect the merger), standardizing licensing rules for both professions, and updating inspection procedures for salons and schools. The bill aims to streamline regulation while maintaining separate licensing standards for barbering and cosmetology services.
Wyoming's HB 261 clarifies the fee structure for oil and gas drilling permits. It modifies two sections of state law to specify that a $10,000 application fee for drilling permits (with $9,500 refundable upon starting drilling) is authorized under the commission's fee-setting authority. The bill directly affects oil and gas companies or individuals seeking to drill new wells in Wyoming. It is a procedural amendment to update fee references in existing law, not a substantive change to the fee amount or requirements. The bill was introduced in January 2019 but died in committee in February 2019.
