HB 136 modifies Wyoming's rules for state capital construction projects by removing a requirement that public works contracts must first be offered to Wyoming residents. The bill allows state agencies to award contracts to nonresident contractors when no qualified resident contractor is available for the specific work. It clarifies definitions of terms like "capital construction project," "renovation," and "routine maintenance" to ensure consistent application of the new rules. These changes directly affect state agencies managing public building projects and contractors bidding on construction work for state facilities. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 271 creates a dedicated endowment fund for the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture (specifically its life sciences and natural resources programs). The bill requires all annual investment earnings from this fund to be fully distributed to the college for direct use on approved agricultural programs, including academic courses supporting Wyoming's farming/ranching industry, extension services, the state veterinary lab, agricultural research, equipment, and faculty recruitment. It mandates detailed annual reporting to state committees on exactly how funds are spent, broken down by program type and faculty positions funded. This endowment directly affects the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and its ability to support Wyoming's agricultural sector through targeted funding.
HB 242 would prevent Wyoming cities, towns, and counties from banning or charging fees for packaging used with consumer goods like food, household items, or retail products. It amends state law to override local ordinances that restrict packaging types or fees, defining "consumer merchandise" as items sold for personal, family, or household use (including containers for takeout or transport). Any existing local rules conflicting with this law would become void as of July 1, 2023. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.
HB 194, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing eligible Wyoming students with $6,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) to cover approved educational expenses. It directly affects K-12 students who are Wyoming residents and not yet graduated, allowing parents to use funds for tuition at qualified schools, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational services. The state treasurer administers the program, prohibits using local tax revenues for funding, and requires parents to sign agreements outlining permitted uses. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and was never enacted.
HB 277 allows Wyoming county treasurers to issue vehicle registration certificates electronically instead of on paper. It extends the grace period for displaying license plates from the current requirement to 30 days after registration, meaning vehicle owners have up to 30 days to display physical plates after receiving their registration. The bill directly affects all Wyoming vehicle owners who register their vehicles, updating how registration documentation is provided and displayed. These changes take effect July 1, 2023, and amend specific sections of Wyoming law regarding registration issuance and plate display requirements.
HB 238 sets a maximum fee for newspaper publications required in Wyoming probate cases involving heirship notices. It limits the cost to the lowest display advertising rate charged to counties by local newspapers, whichever is less than standard open rates. This affects counties paying for these notices, newspapers publishing them, and individuals involved in probate proceedings (like heirs, creditors, or devisees). The bill does not change the notice requirements themselves, only the fee structure for publishing them. It became effective July 1, 2023.
HB 88 prohibits foreign governments, businesses, and individuals from purchasing or acquiring agricultural land in Wyoming. It requires existing foreign owners (as of July 1, 2023) to register their land with the Secretary of State within 60 days and annually thereafter, providing details like location and ownership structure. Violations - including failure to register - carry a $5,000 daily civil penalty, and county clerks must report suspected violations to the Secretary of State. The law also mandates that property tax statements include notices about the ownership restriction and registration requirement.
HB 125 authorizes Wyoming to plan for a second veterans' skilled nursing facility, located at least 75 miles from the existing Buffalo facility, following the "green house" care model. The bill appropriates $300,000 for initial planning and feasibility studies and $50,000 for a separate study on staffing, bed availability, and veteran needs across the state. It requires state agencies (construction department, veterans' commission, and health department) to complete these studies and submit reports to legislative committees by October 15, 2023. This bill directly affects veterans who may use the facility and the state agencies responsible for planning and health services.
HB 245 removes the mandatory requirement for courts to order child support payments from parents when a child is placed in court-ordered custody (e.g., foster care or juvenile justice facilities). It directly affects parents of children in these placements and the child welfare department, which previously handled support enforcement. The bill eliminates two specific provisions: (1) the automatic court order for support, and (2) the requirement for non-employed parents to seek full-time work or complete community service instead of paying support. Courts now have discretion to decide whether to order support, and the department must establish support through a separate civil action if ordered.
This Wyoming bill prohibits state and local governments from enforcing "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs), which are court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access to prevent harm. It blocks the use of state funds or personnel to implement ERPOs and preempts any local laws conflicting with this prohibition. Violating this ban is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine. The bill cites constitutional rights - including the Second Amendment and due process protections - as justification for its provisions.
HB 287 creates designated "gaming districts" in Wyoming where casino-style gambling may occur, directly affecting gaming operators and counties meeting population requirements. The bill requires operators to have operated two or more gaming facilities in Wyoming for at least 10 years, limits districts to counties with a metropolitan area of 250,000+ people within 100 miles, and caps total districts at two statewide (one per county). It mandates that gaming revenue be remitted to the state, with specific rules for how funds are distributed, while prohibiting online wagering except for regulated sports betting. The law also defines key terms like "gaming activities" (excluding skill-based games and pari-mutuel events) and establishes licensing requirements for operators.
This constitutional amendment proposal (HJ 7) would modify Wyoming's Permanent Mineral Trust Fund (PWMTF) by requiring all investment earnings to be deposited into a separate earnings fund instead of the general fund. It clarifies that any investment or loan losses to the fund's principal must be restored ("made whole") by the Legislature, and specifies that earnings may be distributed or invested as determined by law. The bill directly affects how Wyoming manages public funds derived from mineral taxes, ensuring the trust's principal remains protected while providing clearer rules for handling earnings. This change aims to modernize the constitutional language governing the fund, which holds money from mineral taxes for current and future generations.
