SF 28 creates a dedicated endowment fund to support the University of Wyoming's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. The bill establishes an account funded by investment earnings from the endowment, which must be used annually for ROTC-specific purposes like military science courses, field training equipment, student recruitment, faculty support, and scholarships. It requires the university to report yearly on how funds are spent and prohibits reducing the ROTC budget based on these endowment distributions. The legislation directly affects UW's ROTC program by providing a structured funding mechanism for its operations.
SF 162 requires Wyoming school districts to use all funds allocated for teachers under the education resource block grant model exclusively for teacher salaries, health insurance, and benefits starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It applies to all districts except charter schools, schools with fewer than 49 students, and districts with fewer than 243 students. The state education department must collect annual data on teacher spending and report findings to education committees by October 1 each year, including recommendations for refining the grant model. These provisions ensure transparency and direct funding toward teacher-related expenses as specified in the bill.
Wyoming's SF 170 prohibits the state Game and Fish Commission and Department from taking any management actions for grizzly bears unless required by state law or necessary for public safety. The bill restricts agency activities until grizzly bears are federally delisted and management responsibility returns to Wyoming. It requires the commission to create implementing rules and takes effect immediately upon enactment. This procedural bill directly limits state agency authority over grizzly bear management without changing current federal or state protections.
This bill removes "continuing contract" status (commonly called tenure) for Wyoming teachers. It requires annual performance evaluations for teachers until they earn an "effective" rating for two consecutive years, after which evaluations occur every three years. The bill also modifies hearing procedures for teacher suspensions, dismissals, and terminations, and eliminates the legal concept of tenure from the state's teacher employment law. These changes directly affect teachers who currently hold continuing contracts (tenure) in Wyoming school districts.
SF 183 imposes a temporary ban on initiating or expanding new solar and wind energy facilities in Wyoming, effective immediately until June 30, 2030. The bill prohibits new projects but explicitly excludes existing facilities, net metering systems, and projects that received final county approval before specific dates. Key provisions include defining "solar energy facility" and "wind energy facility" while requiring conforming changes to related statutes about permits, eminent domain, and land-use regulations. This policy change directly affects developers, energy companies, and local governments planning new renewable energy infrastructure within the state.
Wyoming's SF 159 regulates dental insurance billing practices to protect dentists and patients. The bill prohibits insurers from forcing dentists to accept predetermined fees for non-covered services, banning "downcoding" (reducing billing codes without justification) and "bundling" (combining procedures to make them non-billable). Insurers must clearly explain billing adjustments in patient explanations of benefits and disclose their downcoding policies. Dentists can still collect fees per their published schedule for downcoded services if patients provide written consent. The law applies to new insurance contracts starting July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's SF 59 amends state law to allow the Secretary of State to release certain confidential records held by registered agents (businesses that handle legal documents for companies). It specifically permits releasing this information to county assessors or treasurers upon written request for official business, such as property tax assessment. Previously, such records were generally confidential except for limited public filings or court-ordered subpoenas. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's SF 135 requires the state Attorney General to defend the state's dual banking system when federal or other state regulators allegedly treat Wyoming-chartered banks unfairly. The bill creates a new legal provision (W.S. 13-1-901) directing the Attorney General to investigate complaints from Wyoming banks about unlawful disparate treatment and take action to ensure fair treatment. It directly affects Wyoming state-chartered banks and the state government, aiming to protect Wyoming's banking revenue and regulatory framework. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, without changing existing banking regulations but adding a defense mechanism for state banks.
This bill establishes a legal process for electric utilities to gain a prescriptive easement (a legal right to use land) for power lines after five years of continuous, uninterrupted use without landowner permission. It directly affects landowners whose property is used for power lines and electric utilities that maintain delivery systems. Key provisions require utilities to provide 30 days' written notice to landowners before recording the easement, maintain the system while minimizing disruption (including 72-hour notice for temporary infrastructure removal), and compensate landowners for direct damages. The easement width must match industry standards for safe operation, and the law explicitly states it doesn’t override existing easements or property rights.
Wyoming's SF 92 declares carbon dioxide "not a pollutant" and a "beneficial substance," reversing its classification under environmental law. The bill repeals existing low-carbon energy standards and prohibits the state from pursuing "net-zero" carbon reduction targets. It requires public utilities to refund customers for rates paid under repealed carbon-related rules (excluding costs for carbon capture technology), with refunds mandated within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The law directs the public service commission to create implementing rules, directly affecting Wyoming's energy sector and utility ratepayers.
This bill designates the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum in Laramie County as a state historic site, requiring the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to manage it. It mandates the department to create a strategic management plan within one year, authorize site-specific fees (above standard park rates) to fund operations, and report progress to a legislative committee by October 2026. The bill appropriates $3.3 million from existing 2024 funds specifically for the site's preservation, development, and maintenance through June 2026. This primarily affects the department’s management responsibilities and the site’s operational funding, with no direct impact on residents or businesses beyond standard visitor fees.
SF 136 would create a 25% property tax exemption on the first $2 million of value for single-family homes, including houses, mobile homes, townhouses, and condos. It directly affects homeowners with properties valued under $2 million and requires counties to track revenue losses from the exemption. The state would reimburse counties and local governments (like school districts) for lost tax revenue using $125 million from the general fund, with a $100 million cap from the legislative stabilization reserve if needed. The exemption would expire on July 1, 2027, and apply first to 2025 tax bills.
