This bill (SF 12) increases specific business licensing fees in Wyoming for certain entities. It raises the fee for filing a limited partnership certificate or foreign partnership registration from $100 to $125, and increases initial incorporation/qualification fees for corporations from $100 to $125. The bill also adjusts annual fee calculations for limited liability companies and partnerships, maintaining the same rate structure but applying the higher base fees. These changes affect businesses filing formation documents or annual reports with the Wyoming Secretary of State, effective July 1, 2019.
This bill repeals a rule that previously excluded certain noncitizens from eligibility for the Hathaway scholarship program. It directly affects noncitizen students in Wyoming who were previously barred from receiving this state-funded scholarship. The key change removes the specific exclusion provision (W.S. 21-16-1303(e)(i)) from the scholarship law. The bill would have allowed eligible noncitizens to apply for the scholarship, effective immediately upon enactment.
Wyoming's SF 158 establishes a Legislative Audit Committee to review state agency finances and improve accountability. The committee, appointed by Senate and House leadership with balanced party representation, will oversee financial audits, conduct post-audits of agency recommendations, and prepare reports for the governor and legislature. It also creates a Legislative Auditor position within the Legislative Service Office to support the committee's work. The bill requires state agencies to provide audit assistance and includes confidentiality rules for audit reports, with exceptions for reporting criminal violations to the Attorney General. Note: This bill died in committee in 2019 and did not become law.
Wyoming's SF 164 adjusts state school funding for the 2019-2020 school year based on specific cost increases. It modifies the education resource block grant formula by applying adjustments to four categories: professional labor, nonprofessional labor, educational materials, and energy costs. Each adjustment uses 50% of published cost data (like wage indexes and price indices for supplies/power) to reflect inflation. The bill directly affects Wyoming public schools receiving state funding under this block grant model. It took effect July 1, 2019.
SF 94 allows Wyoming's Secretary of State to refuse to file nomination applications for state and federal offices (such as legislators, judges, or U.S. representatives) if an applicant is deemed ineligible under law. If an application is refused, the Secretary must provide written notice by certified mail, and the applicant may appeal to district court within five days - requiring a ruling within five days. The bill also mandates that complaints alleging an applicant's ineligibility must include the complainant's name and address. This procedural bill affects candidates seeking office and clarifies administrative steps for handling nomination eligibility.
Wyoming's SF 82 establishes a legal framework for "do not resuscitate" (DNR) directives, allowing any adult with medical decision-making capacity to formally request no CPR in end-of-life situations. The bill enables individuals to have a DNR designation visibly marked on their Wyoming driver's license or ID card, alongside standardized medical bracelets or signed directives. It specifies that DNR orders apply to medical care except in cases of trauma (like car crashes), and protects emergency responders and healthcare providers who follow valid DNR directives in good faith. The law also creates standardized forms for creating, revoking, and removing DNR designations from licenses.
SF 91 would have required Wyoming's community college commission to create a single, common application system for all University of Wyoming and community college admissions. It would have mandated that both the University of Wyoming and community colleges accept applications exclusively through this system starting with the 2021-2022 academic year. The bill aimed to simplify the application process for students seeking admission as freshmen or transfer students across Wyoming's public postsecondary institutions. However, the bill died in committee in February 2019 and was never enacted into law.
SF 157 would make the Wyoming Attorney General an elected statewide office, replacing the current system where the governor appoints the position. Starting with the 2022 general election, the attorney general would serve a four-year term and must have at least four years of legal practice in Wyoming. The bill designates the attorney general as one of five statewide elected officials (alongside governor, secretary of state, state auditor, and state treasurer) for state commissions and ballot listing. It repeals interim appointment rules, requires the attorney general to follow Wyoming's Ethics and Disclosure Act, and amends procedures for when the attorney general needs the governor's approval for certain actions.
This bill provides $5.25 million to Wyoming's Department of Family Services and $15.18 million to the Department of Health for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The funds are specifically for programs recommended by the governor in his supplemental budget, directly supporting existing services in these departments. The bill requires strict use of funds for these designated purposes and sets an effective date of July 1, 2019, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by June 30, 2020.
This bill appropriates $15 million from Wyoming's commercial air service improvement account to fund contracts supporting commercial air service within the state. The aeronautics commission must secure governor approval for contracts that include specific performance measures for air service delivery, with no more than $6 million spent annually per contract. Funds not used for contracts by June 30, 2020, revert to the improvement account, and unused funds from a 2019 deadline reappropriated to maintain existing service through 2020. The bill directly affects Wyoming's commercial air service providers and passengers by funding contract-based service enhancements.
This Wyoming bill (SF 52) clarifies definitions and penalties related to alcohol sales under specific permits. It creates a new definition of "sell" for special permits, clarifying that transactions involving alcohol exchanged for consideration count as sales under these permits. The bill adjusts penalties for unauthorized sales by removing the standard penalties in W.S. 12-8-102(b) and instead specifies misdemeanor penalties of up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail for sales without required permits. It directly affects businesses seeking 24-hour malt beverage permits or catering permits.
SF 48 establishes rules for Wyoming employers operating seasonally, allowing the Department of Workforce Services to formally designate qualifying businesses (those operating for 3+ years with recurring short-term active periods under 30 weeks yearly). It prevents unemployment benefits for employees during gaps between consecutive seasonal work periods if they have "reasonable assurance" of returning to the same employer. Employers must notify all employees in writing about this designation and display notices prominently during active seasons. The law applies to benefit claims filed on or after October 1, 2019, and excludes certain industries (like specific NAICS codes) and employers with delinquent tax accounts.
