Wyoming's SF 94 prohibits state and local government employers from requiring employees to use specific pronouns as a condition of employment, contracts, grants, or other benefits, or under threat of adverse action. The bill directly affects state and local government employees by preventing mandatory pronoun usage policies in these contexts. It creates a civil lawsuit remedy for affected individuals to seek injunctions, damages, and attorney fees against the state or political subdivisions that violate the law. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, and amends existing immunity statutes to include this new exception.
This bill extends the deadline for minors to file lawsuits against providers of gender transition services from age 18 to their 21st birthday. It applies to medical procedures like puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries (including genital and nongenital procedures) performed for gender transition. The law defines "gender transition services" broadly to include all medical care related to changing physical characteristics tied to gender identity. The change takes effect July 1, 2024, for cases arising after that date.
This Wyoming bill (SF 76) updates prostitution and solicitation laws by expanding the definition of prohibited acts to explicitly include "sexual contact" and "sexual intrusion" as defined in existing law. It affects individuals engaging in or soliciting commercial sexual acts, now covering specific acts previously not explicitly listed under these statutes. The bill maintains the same penalties: up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both for violations. The law becomes effective July 1, 2024.
Wyoming's SF 130 prohibits all state and local government entities - including state agencies, universities, counties, cities, and school districts - from implementing any diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) program, activity, or policy. The bill defines "diversity, equity or inclusion" as efforts promoting differential treatment based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. Governmental entities must eliminate such programs and adopt necessary rules by July 1, 2024, to comply with the law. This bill directly affects all public institutions receiving state funding or operating under state authority.
SF 1 is the state's 2024-2026 general budget bill, allocating $56.4 million in state funds to support essential government operations and programs. It specifies exact funding amounts for agencies like the Office of the Governor ($9.1 million), Homeland Security ($5.3 million), and the WY Innov. Partnership ($15 million), with conditions such as requiring matching funds for wild horse management on tribal lands. The bill also defines key terms for tracking funds (e.g., "special revenue fund") and sets strict rules, like prohibiting $20,000 for emergency response meetings from being used for other purposes. This budget directly affects all state agencies receiving these appropriations and governs their spending for the two-year fiscal period.
HB 183 requires criminal background checks for specific workers in Wyoming's gaming industry, including those involved in horse race betting, online sports wagering, and skill-based amusement games. It specifically targets roles like pari-mutuel agents, trainers, owners, exercise riders, and executive officers of online betting companies. The Wyoming Gaming Commission must conduct these checks using fingerprinting and criminal history records as part of the licensing process. This applies to anyone directly involved in regulated gaming activities with access to restricted areas or animals at event venues.
HB 169 requires Wyoming school districts to ensure high school students in grades 9-12 have access to at least 12 college credits through partnerships with accredited institutions like the University of Wyoming or community colleges. School boards must make these post-secondary options "reasonably accessible" to eligible students, working with higher education providers. The law takes effect July 1, 2023, directly impacting Wyoming public high school students and school district obligations. It modifies existing requirements for school-district collaboration with post-secondary institutions to guarantee credit access.
HB 30 amends Wyoming's Tomorrow Scholarship Program by changing how funds are managed between the scholarship expenditure account and the endowment fund. It increases the threshold for transferring excess funds from 9% to 21% of the previous five-year average market value of the endowment fund, and adjusts the calculation method to gradually shift from a two-year to a five-year average over several fiscal years. The bill also directs specific transfers: $15 million to the expenditure account and $90 million to the endowment fund from the legislative stabilization reserve, effective July 1, 2023. These changes directly affect the scholarship program's funding structure and eligibility for institutions receiving scholarships under the program.
This Wyoming joint resolution (SJ 1) requests Congress to amend the state's 1890 Act of Admission. It seeks to update language from "interest" to "earnings" in three sections governing the state's permanent school fund (now over $4 billion) and allow Wyoming to lease school lands under state-prescribed rules to secure maximum long-term financial returns. The bill does not change current law but asks Congress to modify the foundational document to reflect modern investment practices where earnings include capital gains beyond simple interest. It directly affects how Wyoming manages its common school fund and leases state-owned school lands for mineral, grazing, or agricultural use. The resolution has been referred to the Appropriations committee and recommended for passage.
This bill (SF 111) creates a new felony offense for intentionally administering medical procedures, drugs, or agents to change the sex of a child under 18. It directly affects minors under 18, their medical providers, and parents/guardians regarding certain medical treatments. Key exceptions include medical care for intersex conditions diagnosed before age 4, treatment for ambiguous genitalia at birth, and care for traumatic injuries or life-threatening conditions - excluding psychological or emotional issues. Consent from the child, parents, or guardians is not a valid defense against this offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's SF 86 amends election law to allow concealed carry permits as valid identification for in-person voting. The bill adds "a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm" to the list of acceptable IDs under state election code, directly affecting voters who use concealed carry permits as their primary ID. This change takes effect July 1, 2023, and applies to all polling places and absentee voting locations. The policy update simplifies voter ID requirements for permit holders without altering other identification options.
Wyoming's SF 143, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing $6,000 annually per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to cover qualifying education expenses. It directly affects Wyoming residents who are K-12 students not yet graduated, allowing parents or guardians to use ESA funds for private school tuition, online learning, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer administers the program, disbursements occur monthly, and funds come from a dedicated state account - not local taxes - with excess funds transferred to the school foundation program if balances exceed $30 million. Qualified schools (non-governmental, non-discriminatory) are explicitly not considered state or federal agents under this program.
