HB 139 would have created a new criminal offense in Wyoming for knowingly making personal information about election officials or their immediate family available online when that information poses an imminent and serious threat to their safety. The bill defined "personal information" to include home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, photos, and details about a person's home or vehicle. This provision specifically targeted doxing (publicly sharing private details to intimidate) as a form of election-related intimidation. The law was intended to take effect on July 1, 2023, but the bill died in committee and did not become law.
Wyoming's SF 145 modifies state budgeting rules to strengthen fiscal stability. It creates new protections for reserve accounts, requiring them to maintain larger balances and making their balances "inviolable" (protected from use). The bill sets a $60 million cap on temporary interfund loans between state funds and adds requirements for certifications before investing reserves. It also changes how funds are withheld from local governments that fail to file required reports and mandates a 5% holdback from community mental health program contracts until performance agreements are signed. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and service providers receiving state funding.
HB 137 prohibits the sale of cannabidiol (CBD) products to anyone under age 21 and bans minors from purchasing or possessing such products. Retailers face fines up to $750 for selling to minors (with escalating penalties for repeat violations), while minors violating the law can be cited for a $50 fine (or community service) and have the offense expunged after payment. The bill includes an exception if sellers reasonably rely on valid ID showing the buyer is 21 or older. It also allows courts to issue temporary sales bans for repeat violations at specific retail locations. Note: This bill died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.
This constitutional amendment would establish residential real property (homes) as a separate tax class for property valuation, distinct from industrial or other property. It authorizes the legislature to limit annual increases in home property values and create subclasses for primary residences with specific tax exemptions. The change would require voter approval to become part of Wyoming's constitution.
HB 32 reauthorizes a 2.5-mill tax (0.0025% of property value) specifically for adult education programs in Wyoming school districts, requiring renewal votes every five years. It clarifies that school districts and community college districts participating in cooperative educational services agreements cannot exceed a combined 2.5-mill levy across all such agreements. The bill ensures adult education tax renewals follow standardized ballot language and voting procedures outlined in existing law. This directly affects school districts offering adult education and community college districts using cooperative services agreements, with no changes to overall tax limits for other programs.
HB 58 would increase Wyoming's cigarette excise tax from 3 cents to 5.2 cents per cigarette for both wholesalers and consumers. Wholesalers would pay the tax at the point of sale, while consumers would pay it if the wholesaler tax wasn't already collected. The tax increase would take effect July 1, 2023. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee before becoming law.
HB 182 expands licensing requirements for skill-based amusement games in Wyoming. It requires vendors to license employees directly handling the games ($50 annual fee) and mandates manufacturers to pay a $10,000 initial license fee plus $5,000 annually. The bill also requires manufacturers to certify their games cannot be manually activated or altered by vendors. These changes apply to all operators and manufacturers of such games in Wyoming, with applications reviewed within 90 days. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's HB 184 creates a Cybersecurity Division within the Department of Enterprise Technology Services to strengthen state government information security. The division, led by a State Chief Information Security Officer, provides technical assistance during security incidents, compiles threat data, and helps all state agencies comply with security policies. It requires agencies to protect their information systems and data through risk assessments, security controls, and regular audits. The division must report annually to the governor and legislature on the effectiveness of the statewide cybersecurity program. This bill directly affects all state agencies responsible for managing information systems and data.
HB 80, the "Medical Treatment Opportunity Act," directs Wyoming officials to negotiate with federal authorities to expand Medicaid coverage to all eligible residents under federal law. It requires that any expansion only occur when federal Medicaid funding rates meet specific thresholds (90% for expansion periods and 55% for regular coverage). The bill repeals a 2013 Medicaid authorization and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. This legislation directly affects Wyoming residents who may qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage, contingent on federal funding levels.
Wyoming's HB 116 restricts land ownership by specific foreign entities, including governments of Russia, China, or countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, as well as foreign businesses and individuals from those countries. It prohibits ownership of land (except for personal residences under one acre) and requires existing foreign owners to sell their property within two years of the law's effective date. Owners must register their land with the Secretary of State annually, face a $5,000 daily penalty for non-compliance, and county tax notices must now include warnings about the ownership restrictions. The bill also mandates that tax assessment schedules inform property owners about the registration requirement.
Wyoming's SF 110 creates a property tax exemption for small business owners who own tangible personal property valued at $2,400 or less in a single county. This directly affects small business owners with minimal business assets, excluding property used for personal or family purposes. The bill modifies existing tax law to exempt qualifying business property from taxation, effective January 1, 2024, and repeals related reporting requirements. It does not change tax rates or apply to property assessed before 2024.
HB 151 creates a property tax exemption for nonprofit child care facilities in Wyoming. It directly affects nonprofit organizations operating facilities that care for minors under parental, guardian, or agency request, as defined by state law. The bill adds a new exemption category to Wyoming's property tax code, removing the tax burden on property used exclusively for these child care operations. The exemption became effective July 1, 2023.
