Wyoming's SF 123 allows children of active-duty military members to transfer between public schools within their school district at any time. To transfer, parents must provide proof they filed a discrimination complaint with a military base equal opportunity office. School districts may deny transfers only for lack of space at the requested grade level or if the student is suspended/expelled. Districts must report denials to the state superintendent within 10 days, and parents can seek review under Wyoming's administrative procedures. The bill directly affects military-connected students and school districts in Wyoming, effective July 1, 2023.
SF 72 prohibits Wyoming employers from requiring or pressuring employees to get microchips implanted in their bodies, including during hiring, and bans punishing employees who refuse. It also bans employers from creating hostile work environments or denying promotions, raises, or job security based on refusal to consent to voluntary implants. For voluntary microchips, employers must obtain written consent, cover all costs (including removal), disclose data usage, and remove chips within 30 days of termination. The law takes effect July 1, 2023, and applies to all employers and employees in Wyoming.
SF 107 establishes rules for Wyoming's Board of Land Commissioners to buy, sell, or exchange state trust lands. It limits net land increases to 10,000 acres above the 1999 total, requires balancing land distribution between counties as of 1999, and allows temporary exceptions with a 24-month correction period. The bill specifically enables farm loans for purchasing small "isolated parcels" (80 acres or less) that are surrounded by non-state land with no access. This directly affects landowners seeking to buy these parcels and the state's management of trust lands held for beneficiaries like schools and public institutions.
This bill requires Wyoming's state treasurer to accept gold or silver coins (called "specie") as legal payment for state and local taxes, subject to authentication. It mandates the treasurer to set and publish real-time exchange rates between precious metal coins and regular currency, and to exchange these coins for other legal tender. The treasurer must also hold and potentially invest in precious metals, with rulemaking authority to implement these changes. This directly affects taxpayers who pay with coins and the treasurer's office, which gains new duties under the Wyoming Legal Tender Act.
This bill allows Wyoming National Guard members serving on state active duty to be reimbursed for their personal medical insurance premiums. The reimbursement amount is capped at the daily cost of TRICARE Reserve Select (or its successor) multiplied by the number of days served. It authorizes $48,000 for a part-time position to administer the program and $55,000 in reimbursements, both expiring June 30, 2024. The policy directly affects Guard members who pay for their own health insurance while on state duty.
SF 181 amends Wyoming's drug-induced homicide law to specifically criminalize unlawfully delivering certain drugs that cause a death. It targets two scenarios: (1) delivering any controlled substance to a minor (who is at least four years younger) resulting in the minor's death, and (2) unlawfully delivering fentanyl, heroin, or methamphetamine to any person causing their death. The law imposes criminal penalties for these acts, defining them as drug-induced homicide under Wyoming statute. This law took effect July 1, 2023, directly affecting individuals who unlawfully provide these drugs when a death occurs.
HB 118 directs 60% of Wyoming's fire insurance premium tax revenue to the volunteer firefighter, EMT, and search and rescue pension account, while 40% goes to a legislative reserve fund. It also appropriates $9 million from the state general fund directly to the pension account. The bill increases funding for these volunteer emergency responders' retirement benefits by changing tax distribution and adding new state money. It becomes effective July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's SF 32 prohibits using drones to photograph, deliver contraband, or bring weapons into prisons or correctional facilities. It directly affects individuals or entities attempting drone operations near these facilities, excluding authorized government, law enforcement, and emergency agency uses. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties (up to 1 year in jail or $2,000 fine) for contraband delivery, and felony penalties (up to 10 years or $10,000 fine) for weapon delivery. Prison officials may take reasonable actions to stop violations, with the Corrections Department required to create implementing rules.
HB 140 requires health insurers in Wyoming to reimburse mental health and substance use disorder benefits delivered through the American Medical Association's defined Collaborative Care Model. This model mandates that care must be provided by a team including a primary care provider, a care manager, and a psychiatric consultant. The law applies to individual and group health insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after July 1, 2023, but excludes state-funded plans. Insurers must cover these services as specified, while retaining standard medical management authority.
Wyoming's SF 71 modifies state loan programs by lowering maximum loan amounts for farm, infrastructure, and road projects. It removes the $50 million limit on permanent funds for beginning agriculture producer farm loans, sets a 3% minimum interest rate for all farm loans, and prohibits new loans under the Wyoming Joint Powers Act and student dormitory loans. The bill also ends all new state loan board loans after April 1, 2023, while maintaining lower interest rates (8% or the 10-year Treasury yield) for beginning farmers for 10 years. These changes directly affect farmers, local governments (cities, counties, school districts), and community colleges by altering loan access, interest rates, and program eligibility.
SF 140 aligns Wyoming's building codes with federal refrigerant standards by prohibiting state or local restrictions on refrigerants approved under federal law (42 U.S.C. 7671k). The bill directly affects building code enforcement agencies and HVAC installers by removing potential local barriers to using federally-approved refrigerants. It requires that equipment containing permissible refrigerants must still comply with all other applicable building and safety laws. The law became effective July 1, 2023, with no new requirements for refrigerant types.
HB 38 creates the Wyoming National Guard Member Referral Incentive Program, which allows current Wyoming National Guard members to earn a monetary bonus of up to $500 for successfully referring new recruits who complete enlistment. To qualify, a member must submit a referral form with the prospect's contact details, and the referred person must sign an enlistment contract (not already a Guard member). The program requires annual reporting to the legislature, includes funding for a dedicated staff position ($144,000) and referral bonuses ($808,000), and expires on July 1, 2026. This directly affects current Guard members who refer new recruits, with no broader public impact.
