This Wyoming joint resolution (SJ 1) requests Congress to amend the state's 1890 Act of Admission. It seeks to update language from "interest" to "earnings" in three sections governing the state's permanent school fund (now over $4 billion) and allow Wyoming to lease school lands under state-prescribed rules to secure maximum long-term financial returns. The bill does not change current law but asks Congress to modify the foundational document to reflect modern investment practices where earnings include capital gains beyond simple interest. It directly affects how Wyoming manages its common school fund and leases state-owned school lands for mineral, grazing, or agricultural use. The resolution has been referred to the Appropriations committee and recommended for passage.
This bill (SF 111) creates a new felony offense for intentionally administering medical procedures, drugs, or agents to change the sex of a child under 18. It directly affects minors under 18, their medical providers, and parents/guardians regarding certain medical treatments. Key exceptions include medical care for intersex conditions diagnosed before age 4, treatment for ambiguous genitalia at birth, and care for traumatic injuries or life-threatening conditions - excluding psychological or emotional issues. Consent from the child, parents, or guardians is not a valid defense against this offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's SF 86 amends election law to allow concealed carry permits as valid identification for in-person voting. The bill adds "a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm" to the list of acceptable IDs under state election code, directly affecting voters who use concealed carry permits as their primary ID. This change takes effect July 1, 2023, and applies to all polling places and absentee voting locations. The policy update simplifies voter ID requirements for permit holders without altering other identification options.
HB 270 caps fees, property taxes, and assessments that improvement and service districts can impose on landowners, limiting them to the maximum amount originally promised when the district was formed. Landowners within these districts are directly affected, as districts cannot exceed this pre-set limit without voter approval through mail ballot or concurrent election. The law allows districts to adjust the cap only with majority voter consent, while maintaining exceptions for bond payments. Violations can be challenged in court within 120 days by affected landowners. (HB 270, effective July 1, 2023)
Wyoming's SF 143, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing $6,000 annually per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to cover qualifying education expenses. It directly affects Wyoming residents who are K-12 students not yet graduated, allowing parents or guardians to use ESA funds for private school tuition, online learning, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer administers the program, disbursements occur monthly, and funds come from a dedicated state account - not local taxes - with excess funds transferred to the school foundation program if balances exceed $30 million. Qualified schools (non-governmental, non-discriminatory) are explicitly not considered state or federal agents under this program.
Wyoming's SF 132 requires the state superintendent of public instruction to study the state's K-12 education standards and graduation requirements. The study examines whether current standards adequately prepare students for college, careers, and civic participation, reviews alignment with assessments, and considers adjustments to the number or structure of standards. It allocates $72,000 specifically for this study, to be completed by August 2023 and reported to the legislature. The bill does not change existing standards but aims to inform potential future updates to education policy.
HB 121 modifies Wyoming's property tax deferral program to help homeowners with primary residences on parcels ≤40 acres. It caps deferred taxes at 50% of annual real estate taxes, sets interest rates at 4% compounded annually (or treasury-based for specific cases), and requires the Department of Revenue to confirm funding availability before approving deferrals. Eligibility now requires annual financial status verification, and deferred taxes become due immediately if property value exceeds 50% of the property's fair market value. The bill also mandates county rulemaking, public outreach, and annual reporting to the Department of Revenue.
This Wyoming bill requires law enforcement to preserve biological evidence from sexual assault cases for up to 50 years or until all applicable legal deadlines pass, whichever comes first. It also mandates that evidence from violent crime convictions be kept for five years or until the convicted person's release, whichever is longer, with a 180-day notice period before disposal allowing incarcerated individuals to request DNA testing. The law directly affects law enforcement agencies (who must implement preservation), convicted individuals (who may seek DNA testing), and sexual assault victims (whose evidence remains available). Key provisions include requiring agencies to save representative portions of evidence for future DNA analysis before disposal and ensuring compatibility with state DNA databases. The bill does not change current practices for non-sexual assault evidence.
HB 161 requires financial institutions to provide a separate written disclosure to guarantors or co-signers when a loan involves property as collateral. This disclosure must clearly state that agreeing to guarantee or co-sign a loan does not grant any ownership rights or interest in the property securing the loan. The bill directly affects individuals who co-sign or guarantee loans for property purchases or collateralized loans, ensuring they understand their limited legal position. It does not change existing property rights but mandates transparency about the lack of ownership interests from co-signing. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
This Wyoming joint resolution requests Congress to change federal policy by allowing the slaughter and processing of wild horses and burros for meat sale, both domestically and internationally. It specifically asks for legislation to remove the current funding ban that prevents USDA meat inspection for equine slaughter facilities, which has been in place since 2007. The resolution argues that current management is unsustainable, citing the Bureau of Land Management's $77.7 million annual cost for holding excess animals and the inability to control rapidly growing populations. The bill seeks to enable a new management tool - facilitating meat sales - to address overpopulation and reduce costs, as federal agencies struggle to maintain balanced wild horse and burro populations on public lands.
Wyoming's HB 154 creates a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial vehicles that are 11 years old or older. Owners pay a one-time fee (including an $87.50 state administration charge plus five times the standard annual registration fee) instead of renewing annually. The permanent registration cannot be transferred to a new owner; if sold, the new owner must pay full standard registration fees. This change took effect July 1, 2023, and applies only to qualifying non-commercial vehicles.
Wyoming's SF 134 requires sellers of vacant or subdivided land (under 140 acres) to provide written disclosure to prospective buyers about farm and ranch operations within one mile of the property. The disclosure notice explains that normal agricultural activities - like noise, odors, machinery use, and pesticide application - may occur at any time and are protected under Wyoming's Right to Farm law (11-44-101-104). It clarifies buyers cannot seek legal remedies for these standard practices if conducted properly. The bill directly affects rural homebuyers and sellers in areas near active farms, with the requirement taking effect July 1, 2023.
