This bill amends Wyoming election code to clarify procedures for voters changing political party affiliation. It allows voters to change their party affiliation at the polls on election day (for general elections) or when requesting an absentee ballot, in addition to the existing 14-day advance filing requirement before primaries. The change must be noted on the poll list by election judges, but voters cannot switch parties between two weeks before absentee voting begins and primary election day. It directly affects Wyoming voters seeking to alter their party affiliation before casting a ballot. The bill took effect July 1, 2019.
Wyoming's SF 53 bans government entities from requiring or favoring union membership in construction contracts. It prohibits state agencies, counties, schools, and other public bodies from including terms that force contractors to join labor organizations or discriminate based on union status for projects like building construction, repairs, or infrastructure work. The law applies to all construction-related contracts and grants awarded after July 1, 2019, with exemptions only allowed if an imminent health or safety threat requires them. This directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects across Wyoming.
HB 306 allows Wyoming local governments (such as counties and municipalities) to provide health and insurance coverage for their officers and employees through the state's group insurance program. Local entities must formally elect participation by notifying the Department of Administration, with coverage beginning 120 days later, and must remain in the program for at least five years before leaving. If a local government chooses to exit the program, it cannot rejoin for another five years. The Department may restrict or deny participation if it determines a local government poses undue risk to the insurance plan.
HB 87 modifies civil procedure in Wyoming by allowing healthcare providers to use the amount they agreed to accept (after discounts or forgiven debt) as proof of the fair cost of services in lawsuits. It directly affects patients, providers, and insurers involved in civil cases where healthcare costs are disputed. The law specifies that evidence of this agreed-upon payment amount becomes admissible to establish reasonable value, replacing previous methods of valuing services. This applies to all civil cases filed on or after July 1, 2019. The bill does not change healthcare costs or insurance rules but changes how those costs are proven in court.
HB 234 would allow individuals convicted of marijuana-related felonies before July 1, 2019, to petition courts to reduce those convictions to misdemeanors if they completed time served equal to the new misdemeanor maximum. It directly affects people with past felony convictions for marijuana possession, use, or related offenses under Wyoming law. The bill creates a streamlined court process requiring no hearing for eligible petitions, and would restore civil rights lost due to those past felony convictions. It does not change current marijuana laws or penalties for future offenses, only addressing retroactive relief for pre-2019 convictions.
HB 256 would have raised the threshold for prequalifying contractors on public construction projects from $500,000 to $1,000,000. It directly affects cities, towns, and joint powers boards in Wyoming when awarding contracts exceeding $1 million. The bill allows these local governments to prequalify contractors based on criteria like project experience, financial strength, past performance, and proposed technical solutions. This change would have applied to all new bids let on or after July 1, 2019. The bill did not pass, as it died in committee in 2019.
HB 206 regulates video skill games in Wyoming by requiring vendors to obtain permits from the Liquor Division. It directly affects video game vendors (who must pay $5,000 for initial permits), qualified truck stops (the only allowed locations meeting specific size and service requirements), and local governments (which receive 4% of vendor revenue). Key provisions include setting a $2 maximum bet per play, $1,500 payout limit per play, and requiring games to return 88-95% of revenue over time. Vendors must also conduct background checks, submit game compliance reports, and place machines only in designated truck stops or businesses with existing licenses. The bill establishes a fund for administrative costs and mandates monthly revenue distribution to counties and municipalities based on population.
HB 315 amends Wyoming's drug forfeiture law to exempt certain property from seizure and forfeiture. It specifically protects homesteads (per Wyoming's homestead laws), motor vehicles valued under $2,500, and cash amounts of $1,000 or less. The bill also prohibits seizing money, securities, or negotiable instruments solely based on possession without evidence of a drug law violation. These changes directly affect property owners and law enforcement by limiting when assets can be taken in drug-related cases. The bill was introduced in 2019 but did not advance beyond committee.
HB 123 establishes Wyoming's first state licensing board for naturopathy practitioners. The bill requires all naturopaths practicing in Wyoming to hold a license, which mandates graduation from an accredited naturopathic program, passing a national exam (NABNE), and meeting board-set standards. It creates a five-member board with specific qualifications (including practicing naturopaths and healthcare professionals) to oversee licensing, enforce practice standards, and handle disciplinary actions like license suspension. This directly affects current and future naturopathy practitioners in Wyoming, requiring them to comply with state licensing rules starting January 1, 2020, to legally use titles like "naturopathic doctor" or practice.
HB 217, the Wyoming Camping Act, removes an existing ban on overnight camping on state lands. It repeals Section 36-2-107(b)(v) of Wyoming law, which previously prohibited such camping. The change allows campers to stay overnight on state lands without restriction, effective July 1, 2019. This directly affects outdoor recreation users accessing Wyoming's state-managed lands.
This bill (SF 69) expands eligibility for Wyoming's Water Development Program by adding two categories of public entities that can participate. It allows any entity covered under Wyoming Constitution Article 16, Section 10 (including irrigation districts, public water corporations, and state subdivisions) and any other public entity with taxing or fee authority for serviced lands. The change directly affects water management groups, public utilities, and local governments seeking program funding. The bill became effective July 1, 2019, without altering existing program operations.
Wyoming's SF 95 requires auto insurers to disclose when using non-original manufacturer parts in vehicle repairs and ensures those parts meet the same quality, fit, and performance as original parts. Insurers must clearly identify aftermarket parts on repair estimates and provide written notice in bold text to claimants about the use of non-original parts. Vehicle owners can request original manufacturer parts but must pay any additional cost if they choose them over equal-quality aftermarket options. The law, effective July 2019, enforces these requirements through Wyoming's Unfair Trade Practices Act.
