HB 170 establishes a spending policy for Wyoming's Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account, limiting annual withdrawals to 5% of the trust's five-year average market value (phased in over 2024-2028). It also modifies how funds flow to the Wyoming's Tomorrow Scholarship endowment, requiring transfers back to the endowment when the scholarship expenditure account exceeds 9% of its five-year average market value. The bill directly affects state financial management of these two trust funds, ensuring spending aligns with long-term fund values. Key mechanisms include the phased calculation method for the wildlife trust's spending limit and the 9% threshold for scholarship fund transfers.
HB 256 would have provided a temporary property tax reduction for Wyoming property owners during the 2023 tax year. It offered a 33.33% reduction for most properties and a 16.67% reduction for industrial properties, as defined in existing law. The tax relief applied only to 2023 taxes and would have expired on June 30, 2024, with no permanent change to tax rates. This bill specifically affected property owners paying ad valorem taxes, including those with mineral production properties.
HB 241 prohibits peace officers (police) from having sexual contact with individuals they are arresting, detaining, or maintaining in custody. It amends Wyoming law to create a specific criminal offense for such conduct under sexual assault in the second degree (W.S. 6-2-303(a)(x)). The bill explicitly states that marriage or consent cannot be used as a defense in these cases. This law applies directly to law enforcement officers and people in their custody, effective July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's HB 166 creates a sales tax exemption for lodging services provided by licensed guides or outfitters. Specifically, it removes the state sales tax on temporary lodging like sleeping accommodations, tent placements, snow shelters, base camps, and other temporary shelters offered by businesses holding a guide or outfitter license under Wyoming law. This exemption applies to services distributed through the state's tax system (W.S. 39-15-211) and aims to support these tourism-related businesses as an economic incentive. The bill took effect on July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's HB 232 regulates commercially guided fishing operations by requiring outfitters to obtain a separate license and registration sticker for each fishing boat they operate. The bill authorizes the Game and Fish Commission to set daily limits on the number of such boats in specific river sections (like the Snake or Wind River drainages), after holding public hearings. It updates definitions to clarify that "commercially guided fishing boat" means a boat operated by an outfitter, and modifies licensing rules for outfitters and the state board of guides. The changes affect outfitters providing fishing guide services, with new rules effective July 1, 2023.
HB 283 amends Wyoming's obscenity law to create a specific exception for educational and library activities. It allows schools, colleges, universities, museums, and public libraries to produce, possess, or share obscene material as part of their educational work, provided the activity follows policies approved by the organization's elected governing body. The bill requires that these policies align with community standards and are formally adopted by the governing body. This exception applies to the offense of "promoting obscenity" but does not change the definition of obscenity itself. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee in February 2023 without becoming law.
HB 157 sets specific rules for Wyoming county commissioners to dissolve county-created boards or districts. It requires commissioners to provide 30 days' written notice to affected boards, hold a public meeting for input, and only dissolve boards for five clear reasons: the original purpose no longer exists, a majority of board members votes to dissolve, the board neglected duties, engaged in misconduct, or misused public funds. This directly affects county boards and districts created under Wyoming law, giving them procedural protections before dissolution. The bill amends existing law to standardize these requirements, effective July 1, 2023.
SF 150 allows individuals with valid enhanced concealed carry permits to carry concealed firearms on public areas of Wyoming's state capitol grounds, including the connection to the Herschler building. It requires permit holders to notify the Wyoming State Highway Patrol at least 24 hours before entering the capitol with a firearm and restricts carrying to public areas only, excluding private or restricted spaces. The law would take effect on July 1, 2023, but only if Senate File 149 (a separate bill) is enacted. This bill does not change general concealed carry laws outside the capitol grounds.
HB 167 reauthorizes Wyoming's teacher shortage loan repayment program, targeting educators in high-demand subjects like special education, math, science, world languages, reading, and English as a second language. The bill allows teachers to repay student loans without cash payments by teaching at least 50% of their time in these specific areas within Wyoming public schools, with repayment required within the loan amount's repayment period plus two years after graduation. It appropriates $500,000 from the legislative stabilization reserve for the program during fiscal 2023-2024, with up to 5% allocated for administrative costs. The program requires annual reporting to the legislature on its impact in addressing teacher shortages and funding needs.
HB 72 revises Wyoming's sales tax system by applying the tax to numerous previously exempt services, including personal services (like haircuts), business services (such as computer programming), and recreational activities (like gym memberships). It removes the exemption for food purchased for home consumption (groceries), meaning these items will now be taxed at the general rate, though counties can hold elections to exempt local food sales. The bill also reduces the statewide sales tax rate from 3% to 2.5% and repeals other specific tax exemptions. The changes take effect July 1, 2023.
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Wyoming's HB 159 increases maximum fees for electrical safety inspections, permits, and licenses collected by the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. The bill raises specific fee limits, such as electrical inspection fees from $20 to $50 per residential unit (plus per-ampere charges), and electrical contractor licenses from $400 to $550. It directly affects electricians, contractors, and homeowners requiring electrical permits or inspections. The bill also repeals one fee section and requires the department to create implementing rules, effective July 1, 2023.
