HB 73 allocates $5.2 million for water planning studies across Wyoming, including $1.1 million for Level I reconnaissance studies (like the Clarks Fork Watershed Study in Park County) and $3.4 million for Level II feasibility studies (such as the Fontenelle Reservoir Storage project in Lincoln County). The bill allows unused funds to be redirected to other listed projects with committee approval, requires reports to the legislature before the 2024 session, and sets July 1, 2025, as the deadline for fund expiration. It directly affects the Water Development Commission, local counties involved in projects, and the Office of Water Programs (which receives $175,000 for operations). The bill focuses on funding specific water infrastructure planning, not implementation or policy changes.
HB 92 would ban most abortions in Wyoming, allowing them only when necessary to prevent a serious risk of death or permanent injury to the mother (excluding psychological conditions). The law would take effect five days after Wyoming's Attorney General certifies that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a way that allows this ban to be enforced - specifically, after the Court overruled *Roe v. Wade* or issued a final decision enabling such restrictions. It also prohibits using state funds for abortions except under the same limited circumstances. The bill remains inactive until the Attorney General's certification, with no immediate effect.
This Wyoming bill (SF 10) clarifies coordination for predator control services to protect livestock, crops, and human health. It requires the Department of Agriculture to coordinate efforts and allows local predator management boards to directly contract with counties, federal agencies, or other entities for control services - removing previous barriers to direct agreements. Key provisions streamline how ranchers and farmers affected by predators (like coyotes harming livestock) access control programs. The law becomes effective July 1, 2022, focusing on operational efficiency without altering funding or new requirements.
HB 107 amends Wyoming's water pollution control and drinking water revolving loan accounts to adjust funding sources and reimbursement rules. It specifies that state matching funds for federal loans can now come from the corrective action account, mineral royalty capital construction account, or water development accounts, with required reimbursement from program funds. The bill authorizes the state loan board to make grants and set-asides, and clarifies how funds flow between accounts. These changes directly affect state agencies managing water infrastructure financing, such as the Department of Environmental Quality, but do not alter project eligibility or funding amounts for municipalities. The bill focuses on procedural adjustments to existing revolving loan programs.
This bill (SF 18) changes how Wyoming counties manage road construction and maintenance funds. It raises the competitive bidding threshold for road work from $50,000 to $75,000, meaning smaller projects no longer require public bidding. The bill also updates committee membership rules for the Wyoming County Road Standards Committee and requires counties to notify the legislature of fund misuse. Additionally, it limits annual spending on motor graders to $100,000 from road funds. These changes directly affect county governments managing road budgets and their contractors.
HB 89 amends Wyoming law to strengthen enforcement of unpaid mineral production taxes. It allows the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to order wells to be plugged or halt production if a mineral producer owes over $2 million in ad valorem taxes that are more than 90 days overdue. Once taxes are paid, the commission must lift these restrictions. The bill directly affects mineral producers with significant delinquent tax payments and takes effect July 1, 2022.
Wyoming's SF 77 reduces the residency requirement for filing a name change petition. It changes the rule from requiring 2 years of county residency to just 60 days immediately before filing. This directly affects individuals seeking to legally change their names in Wyoming county courts. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 1-25-102 and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. The change simplifies the process for residents who have lived in a county for a shorter period.
SF 48 authorizes $400,000 from Wyoming's Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Income Account to fund five specific conservation projects in 2022. The bill directly affects five project sponsors: Crook County Conservation District (forest health), Wyoming DOT (deer crossings), Green River Greenbelt Task Force (wetlands), Wyoming Game and Fish (aspen restoration), and Trout Unlimited (fish passage). Key mechanisms include setting conditions for funding, requiring recipient certifications, and specifying that grants cover portions of each project's total budget (ranging from $350,000 to $1.385 million). These projects aim to improve wildlife habitats, reduce wildfire risks, prevent vehicle collisions, and enhance water systems across Crook, Weston, Johnson, Sweetwater, and Fremont counties. The bill repeals prior statutes for completed projects and sets an effective date for implementation.
SF 92 authorizes Wyoming's Department of Transportation to renew or extend the validity of driver's licenses and ID cards for government employees required to work outside Wyoming (including federal, state, or local government roles), active-duty military members, and their spouses or dependent children living with them. The department can extend these licenses for up to five years at a time, subject to its established terms and conditions. This change specifically helps individuals who cannot renew licenses in Wyoming due to work or military service commitments. It does not alter standard renewal requirements for other license holders.
This bill removes the December 31, 2022 expiration date for certifications allowing businesses to operate greater sage grouse game bird farms in Wyoming. It directly affects owners of these farms by making their certifications permanent, eliminating the need for renewal. The bill maintains existing rules requiring forfeiting birds if certification is revoked and prohibits reimbursement claims for birds held at expiration (which no longer occurs under this change). The policy change became effective July 1, 2022.
Wyoming's SF 40 authorizes the military department to access criminal history records for specific purposes, directly affecting prospective employees, volunteers, and active-duty or Wyoming National Guard military members. The bill requires these individuals to undergo fingerprinting as a condition for employment, training, deployment, mobilization, or security clearance decisions. It specifies that criminal history information may only be disclosed when required by the military department for those defined purposes. The law became effective July 1, 2022, and amends existing statutes to clarify these procedures.
This bill amends Wyoming's local government self-insurance program to clarify liability payment limits for claims against participating local governments and their employees. It sets a $1 million cap for claims under W.S. 1-39-110(b) (related to healthcare provider liability) and a $500,000 cap for other claims under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, with local governments responsible for costs exceeding these amounts. The changes apply to all claims occurring on or after July 1, 2022, directly affecting local governments and their public employees (excluding peace officers) facing lawsuits. The bill streamlines payment rules without altering the program's core structure.
