HB 119 authorizes Wyoming prescribers (physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and advanced practice nurses) and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense FDA-approved medications for off-label uses - treatments not specified in the drug's FDA labeling - without facing disciplinary action from licensing boards or employers. The bill explicitly excludes Schedule I/II controlled substances under federal law. It provides legal immunity from civil lawsuits or professional discipline for healthcare providers acting under these provisions, defining "off-label indication" as using approved drugs for unapproved medical purposes. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
This bill modifies Wyoming's net metering rules for small-scale renewable energy systems (like rooftop solar). It exempts existing systems (operational before July 1, 2024) from new rules until 2039, while requiring the Public Service Commission to establish a new compensation system for systems installed on or after that date. The new system must prevent rate subsidies where small generators' electricity costs are covered by other customers. Utilities will no longer be obligated to compensate new small generators under the old net metering terms, and the Commission must hold public hearings and adopt rules by April 2024. The bill affects homeowners and businesses with small renewable energy installations who generate excess electricity for the grid.
This Wyoming bill (SF 34) creates a new criminal offense for flying small drones over private property in a way that significantly disrupts a landowner's use or enjoyment of their land. It defines "small unmanned aircraft" using federal aviation rules from 2022 and applies directly to drone operators and property owners. Violators face penalties of up to $750 in fines, six months in jail, or both. The law establishes a clear legal standard for drone-related trespass on private property.
Wyoming's SF 142 requires public utilities to offer coal-fired power plants for sale specifically for carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) projects. The bill establishes rules for selling carbon dioxide streams (e.g., for enhanced oil recovery), mandates bonding to cover future decommissioning and cleanup costs, and sets definitions for key terms like "carbon capture customer" (oil/gas companies using CO2 streams). It aims to make captured carbon dioxide available for industrial use while preventing rate hikes for electricity customers. The law also requires studies and reports on implementation, targeting coal plant operators and oil/gas industry stakeholders directly affected by the new requirements.
Wyoming's SF 130, the "Educational Freedom Act," requires public K-12 schools to teach constitutional principles while ensuring all instruction aligns with seven specific "principles of individual freedom." These principles include affirming equality under the law, prohibiting discrimination based on race or gender, stating that merit-based rewards aren't racist, and requiring age-appropriate discussions about racism, slavery, and sexism. The bill directly affects teachers (instructional personnel) and school administrators, who must ensure curricula and policies comply with these principles and avoid content that contradicts them. It also mandates that any classroom material conflicting with Wyoming's constitutional equality provisions must be explicitly identified to students.
HB 21 requires applicants seeking to lease Wyoming state lands for grazing or agricultural purposes to have an actual and necessary use of the land or forage. This new requirement is added to existing qualifications, which include paying annual rent at fair market value and having no significant violations of state land laws. The bill amends state land leasing law (W.S. 36-5-105) to mandate this use condition, replacing previous eligibility standards for such leases. It became effective July 1, 2023, directly affecting ranchers, farmers, and other applicants pursuing grazing or agricultural land leases.
SF 29 updates Wyoming's brucellosis management rules for livestock. It changes the requirement for permanently branding cattle with a "B" after a positive test from mandatory to discretionary, giving producers more flexibility. The bill also revises testing procedures for cattle, modifies documentation needed to receive compensation for testing, and requires the Wyoming Livestock Board to create new rules by July 1, 2023. These changes directly affect Wyoming livestock producers who manage animals in brucellosis surveillance areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2023, except for the rulemaking requirement, which is immediate.
HB 174 removes the $20,000 value limit on homestead exemptions for Wyoming homeowners. This bill directly affects residents who claim homestead exemptions, allowing properties of any value to be protected from creditors. The key provision amends Wyoming's civil procedure code (W.S. 1-20-101) to eliminate the previous cap, meaning homeowners can now shield the full value of their primary residence. The change takes effect July 1, 2023. This is a straightforward policy update to the homestead exemption law, with no additional provisions or complex mechanisms.
HB 148 amends Wyoming law to allow commercial airports with retail liquor licenses to contract with other businesses for food and beverage services - including liquor sales - without transferring the license. The bill specifies that alcoholic beverage sales may only occur in the terminal building and connected concourses where passengers transfer between aircraft. This change provides airports with greater flexibility in managing concession operations while maintaining location restrictions on liquor sales. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill amends Wyoming law to generally prohibit off-road recreational vehicles from operating on or near interstate highways, with specific exceptions for designated trails. It allows operation only on trails adjacent to interstates that have physical barriers, are officially designated under state law, and are marked as off-road vehicle trails. Operators must hold a valid driver's license for the vehicle type, display a required license plate or decal, and cross interstates only at designated, clearly marked crossings. The rule applies to all off-road recreational vehicles and takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 165, "Living organ donor protection," prohibits Wyoming insurance companies from discriminating against individuals who have donated an organ while alive. The bill makes it illegal for insurers to deny, cancel, or increase premiums for life or long-term care insurance solely based on a person's status as a living organ donor, or to reduce coverage benefits without proven additional health risks. It also prevents insurers from requiring donors to forgo future donations as a condition of coverage. The law applies to all such insurance policies issued in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2023.
HB 31 allows Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to act as "local education agencies" for applying to state and federal education grants, directly affecting BOCES and participating school districts. It requires BOCES to obtain approval from at least two school districts (via their boards) before applying for grants on their behalf, and ensures districts opting out can still apply individually for the same grants. The bill updates Wyoming law to define BOCES as eligible grant applicants under specific conditions and clarifies that school districts remain responsible for meeting grant requirements. It does not change existing grant eligibility but streamlines how cooperative education services access funding.
