This bill (HB 134) changes Wyoming's rules for how alcohol retailers and distillers can purchase alcohol. It allows retail liquor license holders to buy up to nine liters per week of alcohol directly from other retail licensees or from distillers (federally licensed manufacturers), removing previous restrictions. The change directly affects licensed liquor stores and distillers by expanding their options for sourcing inventory. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not alter tax collection or licensing fees.
Wyoming's HB 7 raises the minimum marriage age to 18 by making all marriages involving people under 16 automatically invalid (void). It removes the previous exception that allowed judicial approval for under-16 marriages, which previously made such unions voidable rather than void. The bill affects minors under 16, their families seeking marriage licenses, and county clerks or judges who previously processed such requests. It takes effect July 1, 2023, and maintains existing requirements for 16-17-year-olds (parental consent + court approval).
This bill (SF 43) creates a new process for counties in Wyoming to establish emergency medical services (EMS) districts. Instead of requiring a public petition, county commissioners can now form or modify EMS districts through a resolution, after reviewing proposed boundaries with the county assessor and Department of Revenue. The bill specifies that county commissioners must appoint 3-9 local residents to lead these districts (serving 3-year staggered terms), and sets tax limits: districts formed via resolution can levy up to 4 mills (with voter approval), while others are capped at 2 mills. It directly affects counties and residents within EMS districts by changing how these services are organized and funded.
HB 127 requires Wyoming health care facilities to allow in-person visits from clergy members (like priests, ministers, or religious counselors) during public health emergencies, at the request of patients or their authorized family members. It prohibits facilities from blocking these visits unless clergy refuse to follow safety rules set by health authorities (such as CDC or state health officer guidelines). The law applies to all patients/residents in facilities defined under state health codes, including hospitals and nursing homes. It takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 65 establishes Wyoming's implementation of the national 988 suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system. It requires the Department of Health to designate crisis centers by July 2023 to provide 24/7, year-round crisis services statewide, meeting national standards for cultural competence and specialized care. The bill creates a 988 Trust Fund for funding, mandates mobile crisis teams with trauma-informed training, and sets rules for privacy, information sharing, and collaboration between crisis centers and healthcare providers. This directly affects Wyoming residents in mental health crises, crisis centers, and healthcare providers coordinating emergency behavioral health responses.
HB 56 designates Wyoming public schools as "Purple Star Schools" if they meet specific requirements to support military-connected students - defined as children of active or former military members (including National Guard/Reserve) or those who lost a parent in service. To qualify, schools must appoint a military liaison to identify these students and coordinate services, maintain a dedicated website with relocation, academic, and support resources, implement student transition programs, and provide staff training. Schools must also complete at least one community action, such as hosting military family events or partnering with local military installations. The law takes effect July 1, 2023, and applies to all qualifying Wyoming public schools seeking the designation.
HB 286 consolidates Wyoming's Department of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) and the Office of the State Chief Information Officer into a new division within the Department of Administration and Information. This transfer affects all state agencies that use technology services, as they will now report to this unified division for telecommunications, software, and equipment management. The bill mandates the transfer of all personnel, funds, equipment, and responsibilities, requires a budget submission process for fiscal year 2024, and establishes new definitions and rules for the consolidated division's operations. The key change is eliminating separate tech offices to streamline state technology administration under one department.
HB 106 imposes a moratorium on using eminent domain (government power to acquire private property) for wind energy collector systems, which include infrastructure like towers, wires, and substations that deliver wind-generated power. The ban applies to most entities (excluding certified public utilities) and lasts until June 30, 2032, or until new legislation sets conditions for such takings, whichever occurs first. It does not affect cases where condemnation lawsuits were filed and required funds deposited before the bill’s effective date. The law directly impacts wind energy developers seeking to expand facilities without existing utility certifications.
This bill establishes a legal process for water users to gain a prescriptive easement (a legal right to use) for water conveyances like canals or ditches after using them openly, continuously, and without permission for 10 years. It directly affects current water users who meet this 10-year standard and future property buyers, as real estate transactions involving properties with water conveyances must now include notice about this law. The bill requires the state engineer's office to maintain and post an online informational document about water conveyance easements, and it specifies that the law does not change existing water rights or easements. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 41 creates a permanent registration option for qualifying lightweight trailers in Wyoming. Owners of trailers meeting specific weight limits (under W.S. 31-3-101), at least six years old, and subject to standard registration fees can pay a one-time fee ($50 plus five times annual fees) to avoid future annual registration costs. The permanent registration plate must stay on the trailer and cannot transfer to a new owner; if sold, the new owner must pay full registration fees. This applies only to trailers meeting the defined criteria, not all trailers.
Wyoming's HB 5 updates the official voter registry list to include each registered voter's unique state-generated identification number and details about absentee ballot requests and returns. This change affects all registered voters in Wyoming by expanding the information maintained in the official election records. The bill amends existing election code definitions to specify that the registry list must now contain these two new elements, while clarifying that other personal details like Social Security numbers remain confidential. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's HB 83 authorizes the governor to negotiate written agreements with tribes regarding hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering rights based on treaty or federal rights on state lands. The bill requires tribes to adopt enforceable game codes, align seasons with state regulations (except for ceremonial purposes), share harvest data, and comply with state conservation rules. It ensures tribal members without valid licenses follow state laws outside the Wind River Reservation and clarifies that agreements do not override private property rights without owner permission. The law mandates a report to the legislature after each agreement is finalized and grants state agencies rulemaking authority for implementation.
