This bill creates a new alternative teaching certification pathway for K-12 teachers in Wyoming. It requires alternative certification programs to meet specific criteria: operating in at least five states, having run for 10+ years, requiring subject and teaching methods exams, and having certified 10,000+ teachers. The certification would be limited to the exact subject areas and grade levels the applicant completed through the program. This directly affects new teachers seeking certification through approved alternative programs, not current certified educators.
This bill increases the allowable square footage used to calculate K-12 school district maintenance funding from 115% to 135% of statewide building standards. It adjusts how maintenance payments are computed by expanding the space counted for major repairs ($38.1 million) and routine maintenance ($5.5 million) starting July 2025. The changes directly affect all Wyoming public school districts by increasing their potential funding based on building size relative to student enrollment. The funding is tied to the updated square footage thresholds and must be spent solely on school facility maintenance during the 2025-2026 school year.
This bill allows parents or guardians to legally settle claims on behalf of minors (without court approval) for amounts up to $25,000, provided specific conditions are met. It directly affects parents/guardians of minors who have claims (e.g., from accidents or injuries) but lack a court-appointed conservator. Key provisions include requiring a reasonable inquiry into the claim, an affidavit confirming the claim is ≤$25,000, and mandating funds be used solely for the minor’s benefit. Violations create a legal cause of action for the minor to sue mismanaging parents/guardians. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
This non-binding resolution requests Wyoming's Governor to prioritize promoting the state's existing stable power sources - coal, natural gas, uranium, and hydroelectric - over taxpayer-funded wind and solar projects. It directs the Governor to oppose subsidies for commercial wind/solar generation and instead advocate for Wyoming's "stable dispatchable base load energy" exports to other states and globally. The resolution does not create new laws but urges a shift in energy policy focus. It directly affects state energy promotion efforts and the Governor's role in shaping Wyoming's energy strategy.
HB 246 designates every Wednesday as "Wyoming Wednesday - Brown and Gold Day," encouraging residents to wear brown and gold to celebrate the state. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation by August 1 each year, but explicitly states it does not affect commercial transactions, legal agreements, or require closures of schools, businesses, or government offices. This symbolic measure, effective July 1, 2025, has no binding requirements beyond voluntary community participation.
HB 219 grants permanent rights for existing county and municipal roads to use state and school lands without fees. It applies to roads established before January 1, 2025, that already cross state/school lands. The bill requires counties and cities to submit documentation by April 2030 to secure these rights, with the state land board handling recording and fees. New roads built after 2025 must follow separate procedures, not automatic rights. This directly affects local governments managing roads on public lands.
SF 43 extends the maximum duration for temporary water rights from two to five years (with a total cap of ten years including renewals) for uses like highway construction, railroads, and drilling projects. It requires that only the state transportation commission - not contractors - can acquire temporary water rights for public highway projects. The bill also strengthens protections for permanent water rights owners, allowing senior rights holders to stop temporary diversions if needed, and permitting junior rights holders to request shutdowns only if their water rights are actually harmed by temporary use.
SF 108 updates Wyoming's Recreation Safety Act to include "agritourism" as a covered recreational activity. It defines agritourism as farm or ranch-based tours, hands-on experiences, and hospitality services related to agricultural production, harvesting, or cultural resources. This change requires agritourism operators to comply with the same safety standards as other recreational providers under the law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's SF 51 revises the state's telecommunications act, primarily extending its sunset date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2031. The bill updates key definitions (including "broadband internet access service" and "noncompetitive local exchange service") and adds requirements for telecom providers to share price schedules with the Public Service Commission. It specifically limits local governments from entering exclusive agreements for broadband internet access service and clarifies that prepaid wireless services must pay universal service fund charges. These changes directly affect telecom providers, local governments managing broadband infrastructure, and consumers relying on essential telecommunications services across Wyoming.
Wyoming's SF 17 creates a $10-per-ton financial incentive for businesses that capture and use carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions within the state for enhanced oil recovery projects. To qualify, providers must use CO2 captured through approved technology (qualifying for federal tax credits under 26 U.S.C. 45Q), sell/deliver the CO2 for in-state oil/gas recovery, and ensure the recovered oil/gas uses that specific CO2. Funds for the program come from a dedicated state account, with payments made after providers secure federal tax credits, and the Wyoming Energy Authority administers eligibility and reporting. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and revenue impacts to state committees.
This bill creates a misdemeanor offense for damaging petroglyphs, pictographs, or historic inscriptions on state lands without permission, with penalties up to $750 fine or six months in jail. It directly affects visitors, researchers, or anyone interacting with these cultural sites on public land. The bill appropriates $441,340 to document and create 3D models of all known sites on state, school, and institutional land by June 2028. It requires the state parks department to survey these sites using this funding, with unspent funds retained until 2028. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, except for the funding section, which applies immediately upon enactment.
HB 136 allows volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and search/rescue personnel in Wyoming to join the state employees' group health insurance plan without being disqualified due to participation in government health programs - except for the Affordable Care Act marketplace. It permits first responder departments to contribute toward volunteers' insurance premiums and requires volunteers to submit annual proof of their active status to their department. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and modifies existing rules to streamline enrollment and ongoing eligibility for these volunteers.
