This is a non-binding joint resolution (not a law) expressing support for phasing out new electric vehicle sales in Wyoming by 2035. It does not impose any legal requirement but encourages Wyoming industries and citizens to limit new EV purchases toward this goal. The resolution cites concerns about oil/gas industry stability, lack of charging infrastructure, and mineral disposal challenges as justification. The measure died in committee in February 2023 and has no legal effect.
This proposed constitutional amendment would limit annual spending from Wyoming's "rainy day" fund (the legislative stabilization reserve account) to 25% of its balance at the start of each budget period. It requires a three-fourths vote in both legislative chambers to exceed this limit during a fiscal emergency. The fund currently holds approximately $2 billion. If approved by voters, this would establish clear spending rules for the state's budget stabilization fund.
HB 37 requires Wyoming public safety dispatchers to complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training focused on providing emergency cardiovascular care instructions to callers during cardiac incidents. The bill mandates the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to establish specific training standards and continuing education requirements for dispatchers by January 1, 2024. This would directly affect dispatchers handling 911 calls, ensuring they can relay step-by-step CPR guidance to bystanders before emergency responders arrive. The law would take effect on January 1, 2024, with related commission rule amendments required by July 1, 2023.
This non-binding joint resolution (HJ 5) directs Wyoming's state agencies to research and coordinate with neighboring states on expanding passenger rail service. It requires the Wyoming Department of Transportation and governor's office to study funding opportunities, collaborate with Colorado and Montana on rail planning, and prepare a report for the legislature and congressional delegation. The bill does not create new funding or mandate rail service but focuses on gathering data and building regional partnerships. It died in committee in February 2023 and directly affects state transportation officials and regional stakeholders.
HB 225 requires that any proposition to impose or continue a mill levy (a local tax) for a senior citizen service district must be submitted to voters every four years after the initial approval, rather than just once. This applies to districts serving seniors and directly affects county voters who must approve these ongoing taxes. The bill specifies that if a levy proposition is defeated, it cannot be resubmitted to voters for at least one year. The law would take effect July 1, 2023, but the bill died in committee and did not become law.
SF 115 prevents insurance companies from restricting how dentists bill patients for dental services. It prohibits insurers from requiring dentists to combine separate procedures into one bill (bundling) or reclassify complex procedures as simpler, lower-cost ones (downcoding). The bill also allows dentists to bill patients directly for services not fully covered by insurance, provided they first inform patients about limited coverage, obtain written consent, and provide a copy of that consent to the insurer. These changes apply to all dental insurance contracts issued, renewed, or delivered in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2023.
This bill would require Wyoming's worker's compensation rates to be no higher than the lowest third of nationwide state rates. It directly affects all employers in Wyoming by capping their premiums based on national averages, rather than state-specific rates. The state department of workforce services would determine national rates by state and adjust Wyoming's rates annually. Employers could contest their rate classification through administrative procedures if they disagree with the department's determination.
This bill (SF 104) sets annual limits on property tax mill levies for Wyoming school districts, counties, and cities/towns based on inflation adjustments. It requires that tax rates for schools (max 25 mills), counties (max 12 mills), and municipalities (max 8 mills) be adjusted each year to match the previous year's revenue when adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The bill would directly affect local governments and property owners by preventing tax increases that exceed inflation. It would take effect January 1, 2024, if enacted.
HB 132 creates a permanent Wyoming Housing Trust Fund using $15 million from the state general fund to address affordable housing shortages. The fund's principal is protected as a perpetual trust, with investment earnings credited to a separate earnings account. A legislative study (required by Section 2) will determine how to distribute these earnings to affordable housing projects. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, and directly affects Wyoming residents facing housing affordability challenges.
SF 105 requires public utilities in Wyoming to have a written customer allocation agreement with both utilities before providing service to a customer located within another utility's designated service territory. This directly affects utilities that might otherwise serve customers in areas legally assigned to another provider, such as when a customer's point of delivery is outside one utility's territory but consumption occurs within it. The bill allows the affected utility to sue for damages, lost income, and legal fees if this rule is violated. It became effective July 1, 2023, and aims to clarify service territory boundaries for utilities.
This bill changes how Wyoming calculates the maximum duration of unemployment benefits. It bases the maximum benefit period (ranging from 12 to 23 weeks) on the state's average unemployment rate: 12 weeks if the rate is 5% or lower, plus one additional week for every 0.5% above 5%, capped at 23 weeks if the rate reaches 10.5% or higher. The change applies only to unemployment claims filed on or after July 1, 2023. It directly affects Wyoming residents who qualify for unemployment insurance by adjusting how long they can receive benefits based on statewide job market conditions.
Wyoming's HB 253, the "Credit Card Defense Act," requires merchants selling firearms or ammunition in the state to use a "sporting goods" merchant category code for all transactions, instead of codes specifying firearms. Financial institutions, credit cards, and payment processors must not collect or generate personally identifying information beyond this category code for such purchases. The law directly affects firearm retailers, banks, and payment processors handling these transactions in Wyoming. It mandates that all relevant financial institutions adopt this coding standard by July 1, 2023, to limit transaction data collection related to firearm purchases.
