HB 20, titled the "Medical Treatment Opportunity Act," proposes expanding Wyoming's Medicaid program to cover individuals eligible under federal criteria (specifically Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of the Social Security Act), which typically includes low-income adults. The bill requires Wyoming to negotiate with federal authorities for a state plan amendment but explicitly limits the expansion to periods when federal Medicaid funding rates meet or exceed 90% (for expanded coverage) or 55% (for standard coverage). It repeals a 2013 law (Chapter 116, Section 5) governing Medicaid eligibility and would take effect immediately upon enactment. The bill remains in the introduction stage (not advanced in 2022) and does not specify new funding sources or direct cost impacts.
HB 119 requires Wyoming's Department of Transportation to establish an annual schedule of standard towing and recovery fees based on typical rates in the state and neighboring regions. Towing companies must adhere to these fees and submit a detailed fee disclosure (listing charges for services like call rates, hook-ups, and storage) to remain on the state's rotation list, which determines which companies can provide official towing services. The bill presumes fees within the schedule are fair and reasonable, placing the burden on towing companies to prove a fee is fair if challenged in court. This aims to standardize pricing, prevent overcharging, and increase transparency for consumers using towing services.
HB 129 amends Wyoming law to remove the requirement that cosmetology licensing exams be conducted by the state board of cosmetology. The bill changes Section 33-12-131(a) to state that exams must be held at designated times and places, without specifying that the board must conduct them. This change directly affects cosmetology license applicants and the state board by altering how exam administration is structured. The bill takes effect July 1, 2022, but does not specify who would conduct exams instead of the board.
HB 77 (Wyoming, 2022) is a procedural bill that amends city civil service commission rules. It allows a city clerk to appoint a designee to serve as ex officio clerk of the civil service commission, eliminating the need for the clerk to personally handle this role. The bill also clarifies that pre-budget expenses for the commission may be covered from available funds or the next budget. This change directly affects cities and towns with civil service commissions by streamlining administrative duties for city clerks. The bill was introduced in February 2022 but never advanced to a vote.
HB 150 amends Wyoming's manslaughter law to add two new scenarios: (1) helping someone die by suicide (except when healthcare decisions follow Wyoming's Health Care Decisions Act), and (2) failing to provide necessary medical care to a newborn after a live birth (except in cases involving abortion). The bill directly affects individuals who assist in suicides or neglect newborns, making these actions punishable as manslaughter. Key exceptions clarify that standard healthcare decisions and abortion-related cases are excluded from the new provisions. The law would take effect July 1, 2022, if enacted.
HB 26 restricts individuals from holding both a paid public job and an elected public office if the two positions involve governmental entities that fund or receive funding from each other. It requires anyone who holds one public office or employment to resign from it before accepting a new elected position or job that creates such a funding relationship. The law applies broadly to all state and local government units, including counties, cities, school districts, and special districts. This bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by ensuring public officials don't simultaneously serve in roles where their employment and elected duties could conflict due to funding ties. The law takes effect January 1, 2024.
HB 94 sets a maximum size of 1,280 acres for oil and gas drilling units in Wyoming, directly affecting oil and gas operators who establish these land groupings for drilling. The bill amends state law to require that drilling units must be large enough to efficiently drain with one well but cannot exceed 1,280 acres. This change applies to all new drilling unit orders issued on or after July 1, 2022. The law aims to standardize unit sizes for operational efficiency without specifying environmental or economic impacts.
This bill allows Wyoming county treasurers or the state department to seize payments owed to mineral producers by third parties (like buyers or contractors) to collect unpaid ad valorem taxes on mineral production. It applies only after the tax appeal deadline passes and not during active appeals. The change directly affects mineral producers who owe taxes and third parties who owe them money for mineral-related transactions. It provides a new enforcement tool for tax collection without changing tax rates or filing requirements.
Wyoming's HB 124 requires all children under two years old to ride in rear-facing child safety seats in vehicles. It clarifies that rear-facing seats must not be placed in front of active airbags and reinforces that children under nine must use restraints in the back seat (with limited exceptions). The law directly affects parents and caregivers of young children traveling in Wyoming vehicles. It became effective July 1, 2022.
HB 122 changes how Wyoming fills vacancies in certain elected offices by requiring proportional voting in nomination processes. It mandates that state central committee members' votes for vacancies in U.S. House seats, other state offices (excluding governor, legislature, and judges), and multi-county legislative districts must be weighted by each county's population relative to the state total, using the most recent federal census data. For multi-county legislative vacancies, county commissioners' votes must instead reflect the population of the legislative district within each county. The bill, effective July 1, 2022, applies only to nominations for remaining terms and does not alter the appointment process for vacancies.
HB 120 prohibits Wyoming health, life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, canceling policies, raising premiums, or reducing benefits solely because someone is a living organ donor. It defines a living organ donor as a person who has donated an organ or tissue for transplant while alive and requires that any adverse action must be based on actual health risk, not donation status alone. The law applies to all insurance policies issued, renewed, or delivered in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2022, protecting donors from unfair discrimination.
HB 38 voids most contractual clauses restricting competition (like non-compete agreements) for employees and business owners in Wyoming, effective July 1, 2022. It specifically allows exceptions for: selling a business (including subsidiaries or "substantially all" assets), protecting trade secrets, agreements with executives, and reimbursement for employer-paid specialized training or hiring bonuses under strict time limits. The law applies to all business entities (sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, corporations) and their owners or employees. This change makes typical non-compete clauses unenforceable unless one of the specified exceptions applies.
