HB 150 authorizes the creation of local early childhood development special districts in Wyoming counties to provide services for children birth through age 8. These districts, formed through voter approval (requiring 15% of qualified voters' signatures or a county commission resolution), can levy up to 2 mills annually on property taxes to fund services like childcare, education, health, and developmental support. Each district must create and publish a public plan detailing eligible recipients, service providers, and funding options before offering services. The bill establishes governance rules, including requirements for public transparency and regular voter referendums on continued mill levies.
Wyoming's SF 149 creates an "enhanced concealed carry permit" that requires applicants to show proof of recent firearm safety training (within one year), such as completion of a certified course (NRA or Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy) or active peace officer employment. This permit, available to residents 21 or older, includes specific training requirements covering firearm fundamentals, live-shooting qualification, and legal aspects of firearm use. The bill mandates that Wyoming's Attorney General notify other states by July 1, 2023, to seek reciprocity for this enhanced permit. It does not change existing concealed carry rules but aims to improve interstate recognition of Wyoming's enhanced permits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, with rulemaking required by the same date.
HB 141 would have changed Wyoming's rules for voters changing political party affiliation. It would have allowed voters to file a written request to change their party affiliation at any time (except during prohibited periods), rather than requiring specific deadlines for primary or general elections. The bill amended sections of state law to clarify that voters must declare their party affiliation to receive a partisan ballot, with different filing deadlines depending on whether it was for a primary election or general election. These changes would have directly affected Wyoming voters seeking to switch party registration before elections. (Note: This bill died in committee and did not become law.)
HB 49 creates a voluntary pilot program allowing Wyoming municipalities to use ranked-choice voting for nonpartisan municipal elections with more than two candidates. Participating cities or towns must notify the Secretary of State by January 1 each year and cannot hold primary elections for these races during the pilot. The bill requires ballots to list candidates with space for voters to rank preferences, and election officials must count first choices initially, then transfer votes if no candidate gets over 50% of first choices. The pilot runs starting January 1, 2024, for municipal general elections and specific municipal elections under existing law. It affects local voters in participating communities and election administrators who must follow new ballot and counting procedures.
Wyoming's HJ 11 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to change federal regulations so agricultural producers can directly access medically important antibiotics for livestock without needing a veterinarian's supervision. Currently, FDA rules require these antibiotics (used in feed or water) to be dispensed under a licensed veterinarian's oversight, which the resolution claims causes delays in treating livestock. The resolution specifically asks Congress to eliminate this vet-supervision requirement and allow over-the-counter access for Wyoming farmers. This would directly affect Wyoming livestock producers by altering how they obtain antibiotics for animal health care.
HB 168 allows licensed custom exempt meat processors in Wyoming to sell their products directly to consumers at retail. This affects small meat processing facilities that already operate under specific federal exemptions (9 C.F.R. 303.1) for processing carcasses for individual customers. The bill creates a new law (W.S. 35-7-128) explicitly permitting these processors to offer retail sales without needing additional permits. The change takes effect July 1, 2023, enabling local producers to sell directly to shoppers while maintaining existing inspection standards.
HB 219 (Voter identification-ballot requests) requires voters to provide acceptable identification when requesting absentee ballots in Wyoming. It mandates that voters show ID in person or submit a copy of ID via secure electronic methods (email, mail, fax) when applying by mail or phone. County clerks must record the ID type and number in absentee ballot records. This bill, effective July 1, 2023, replaces prior requirements for absentee ballot requests and directly affects voters seeking absentee ballots.
HB 244 proposes to expand Wyoming's property tax refund program to include renters who occupy rental properties as their principal residence, regardless of ownership. The bill would allow applicants meeting income limits (capped at 125% of median household income or 3/4 of the median, whichever is higher) and asset limits ($100,000 per adult adjusted for cost of living) to receive refunds. Refunds would be limited to 50% of the applicant's prior year property tax paid or $250 (for renters), with multi-family properties calculated by square footage. The bill, which died in committee in February 2023, has not become law and remains a proposed change to the existing refund program.
HB 236 would have expanded Wyoming's sales tax exemption to include repair and replacement parts for agricultural machinery. It specifically exempts these parts for "farm implements" (defined as tractors or machinery used exclusively for farming), while excluding lawn tractors, ATVs, and snowmobiles. This change would have directly benefited farmers and agricultural businesses by eliminating sales tax on essential repair parts. The bill, proposed to take effect July 1, 2023, was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee.
This bill limits annual increases in the taxable value used to calculate property taxes for most non-exempt properties in Wyoming. It caps the yearly increase at 5% from the previous year's taxable value, excluding changes from property improvements or renovations. This directly affects residential and commercial property owners who pay taxes on "all other property" (not agricultural or specific exempt categories). The rule applies to all such properties statewide starting January 1, 2024, preventing rapid tax bill jumps due to rising market values alone.
This bill changes Wyoming's wildlife terminology by replacing "trophy game animal" with "large carnivore game animal" in statutes. It specifically designates two geographic areas (in northwest Wyoming) where gray wolves will be classified as "trophy large carnivore game animals," allowing them to be hunted under regulated conditions. The change applies after gray wolves are removed from federal endangered species protections. The bill requires the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to establish implementing rules and affects how wolves are managed for hunting in designated zones. This redefinition clarifies wildlife management jurisdiction without altering existing hunting seasons or quotas.
HB 227 increases Wyoming's veterans' property tax exemption from $3,000 to $6,000 annually in assessed value. It directly affects qualifying veterans who own property in Wyoming and receive the tax exemption. The bill requires the Department of Revenue to create implementing rules and applies to property taxes assessed on or after January 1, 2023. The exemption change would take effect for taxes due in 2023, with some provisions becoming effective immediately upon enactment.
