Wyoming's HB 5 modifies how oil and gas operators contribute to a bonding pool. It sets a zero assessment rate on oil/gas production from July 2025 through June 2030, after which the commission may impose up to 0.5 mills ($0.0005) per dollar of production value. All collected funds and investment earnings must be deposited into a separate account solely for the bonding pool, not used for other purposes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting oil and gas operators required to pay bonding assessments in Wyoming.
This Wyoming bill (SF 8) creates a new criminal offense for "absconding for criminal purposes," targeting individuals who travel between counties within Wyoming or to another jurisdiction *after* committing a crime. It directly affects people who flee to commit additional crimes, hide stolen property, or further a felony. The law specifies that penalties for this offense will match the penalty for the most serious underlying crime (e.g., the original offense or the intended one). The bill is pending and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
This bill (SF 17) modifies Wyoming's forestry program by removing limits on employee positions for the "Good Neighbor Authority" (a program managing federal forest projects). It requires all funding for these employees to come solely from the dedicated "Wyoming State Forestry Good Neighbor Authority Revolving Account," which can now accept gifts, donations, and bequests but cannot accept real property. The changes apply to the state forester and staff managing federally funded forest projects, effective July 1, 2026.
This bill (SF 18) ensures Wyoming public K-12 schools are equally free and accessible to all children, including those attending part-time. It requires schools to operate for a minimum of 175 days per year (unless an alternative schedule is approved by the state board after public meetings), and mandates annual evaluations of alternative schedules. Parents or guardians of eligible children may apply for an Education Savings Account (ESA) program under existing law. The changes apply starting the 2026-2027 school year.
This bill changes Wyoming's lottery rules to allow only cash or debit card payments for lottery tickets, banning credit cards, checks, and other payment methods. It directly affects all lottery ticket buyers and retailers statewide by restricting payment options at point-of-sale. The key provision amends existing regulations to explicitly state that "all sales shall be for cash or debit cards only" and prohibits other forms of payment. The rule takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 85 requires Wyoming county clerks to document post-election audits with formal minutes and allow political party representatives and independent candidates to observe the audit process. It mandates that county clerks notify all political parties with candidates on the ballot and independent candidates about audit times and locations, ensuring at least two observers from different parties are present. Observers may register concerns during the audit, and their feedback must be shared with the secretary of state along with audit results. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all counties conducting post-election audits.
This bill repeals a requirement that conservation district supervisors in Wyoming must have all funds immediately available to cover a contract before signing it. It directly affects local conservation district supervisors who manage contracts for district operations. The key change removes the pre-contract financial availability rule, allowing supervisors to enter agreements without needing full funds upfront. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill amends Wyoming's Hathaway scholarship program to provide recipients with a single lump sum payment instead of semester-by-semester disbursements. It eliminates requirements for satisfactory academic progress, continuous enrollment, and minimum credit hours, simplifying access to funds. Eligibility remains based on high school GPA and standardized test scores, with three scholarship tiers: $6,720 for a 2.50 GPA/43rd percentile, $10,080 for a 3.0 GPA/56th percentile, and $13,440 for a 3.5 GPA/79th percentile. The changes directly affect Wyoming students pursuing degrees or certificates who meet the academic criteria.
HB 264 prohibits Wyoming state agencies from accepting or requiring central bank digital currency (CBDC) as payment for government services, taxes, or fees. It also bans state agencies from using public funds to test, adopt, or implement CBDCs. The bill cites concerns about CBDCs enabling government surveillance, restricting financial privacy, and allowing control over personal spending. Wyoming’s legislature urges Congress to prohibit federal CBDC development and requires the Secretary of State to share the bill with federal officials. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
HB 156 requires voters in Wyoming to prove they have been a bona fide resident of the state for at least 30 days before an election. It mandates that voters provide documentation verifying their residency when registering and prohibits registration based on documents showing noncitizen status. The bill defines "proof of residence" and directs the Secretary of State to establish acceptable documents through rulemaking. This affects all individuals registering to vote in Wyoming elections by adding a residency verification step to the registration process.
This Wyoming bill (SF 196) prohibits state and local government entities from using state funds to enforce federal gun regulations that conflict with the Second Amendment. It specifically bans using Wyoming state or federal funds (originating in Wyoming) to support federal enforcement of firearm laws regarding "law-abiding citizens." Violating this prohibition subjects agencies to civil penalties of $50,000 per violation and allows affected citizens to sue for damages. The bill creates new legal protections for Wyoming residents against enforcement of federal gun laws that infringe on Second Amendment rights, while allowing limited exceptions for federal cooperation in specific criminal investigations.
This bill (HB 137) is a technical correction to Wyoming's statutes, fixing minor errors, outdated references, and inconsistencies in existing law. It does not change policy, funding, or create new requirements - it only updates how specific legal references are written (e.g., clarifying definitions, correcting statute numbers, or fixing wording in school funding distribution rules). The bill affects numerous statutes related to state budgeting, school funding, and information technology. It has no direct impact on citizens or programs, as it solely ensures legal language aligns with current practice.
