HB 162 creates a $6,000 annual property tax exemption for first responders in Wyoming, directly affecting peace officers, dispatchers, firefighters, and ambulance personnel (both paid and volunteer) who own or occupy their primary residence. To qualify, claimants must submit proof of status (like an employer ID or pay stub) by May 4th each year and confirm ongoing eligibility annually with their county assessor. The exemption applies only to the primary residence and is limited to $6,000 per year in assessed value. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, if passed.
HB 177 requires the Wyoming Senate to confirm the governor's appointments to the judicial nominating commission, which selects state court judges. Previously, the governor could appoint members without Senate approval, but this bill mandates confirmation for all future appointed voting members. The change applies to commission terms starting July 1, 2026, and does not affect current or past appointments. The bill is pending in the legislature and has not yet been voted on.
HB 188 requires elected voting for directors of county boards and special districts in Wyoming that spend or budget over $20 million annually on average across the previous five fiscal years. Starting with the 2028 general election, these boards must hold elections for all directors unless their budget falls below $20 million or another law already mandates elections. The bill applies to boards currently appointed by county commissions, such as airport authorities and special districts, and updates related statutes to align with this requirement. It does not change current appointment rules for smaller-budget entities or districts with existing election processes.
HB 89 allows alcohol industry businesses and licensed sellers to donate alcoholic beverages to qualifying nonprofits for charitable events, without the donation counting as a sale. To qualify, nonprofits must be Wyoming-organized, federally tax-exempt, and use all proceeds exclusively for charitable purposes. The bill requires prior approval from the licensing authority for such donations and clarifies that these gifts avoid triggering sales regulations. This change, effective July 1, 2026, directly affects Wyoming alcohol licensees and eligible nonprofits seeking to fundraise through event donations.
Wyoming's HB 173 amends laws to increase parental responsibility for minors' actions. It allows property owners (including schools) to seek up to $5,000 in damages from parents if a child aged 10-17 maliciously damages property. Parents who fail to comply with court orders regarding juvenile discipline may face fines up to $1,000 or 120 days in jail. The bill also requires parents to post bonds of up to $1,000 if their lack of supervision directly causes a juvenile's delinquent behavior, with forfeited funds first covering damages and then going to school districts or county treasuries. The law would take effect July 1, 2026.
HB 171 amends Wyoming's online sports wagering revenue distribution to fund gambling treatment programs. It requires sports wagering operators to remit 10% of monthly revenue to the state commission, with the first $300,000 annually allocated directly to the Department of Health for county-level programs preventing and treating problematic gambling behavior. The remaining revenue from this 10% goes to the state general fund. This bill specifically targets funding for gambling-related health services, directing resources to counties through the Department of Health. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval.
HB 182 creates a process for designating Wyoming state lands as "state heritage sites" if they have exceptional archaeological, historical, or cultural value that would be permanently damaged by industrial use. It allows citizens, tribes, or government entities to nominate lands (like the Glenrock buffalo jump, specifically named in the bill) for review by the Department of State Parks, which then recommends to the Board of Land Commissioners. Once designated, these sites prohibit industrial use that harms their value and restricts leasing to educational, sustainable tourism, or low-impact recreational activities that protect the site. The bill defines "greatest benefit" to include long-term protection of the land’s intrinsic value alongside financial returns for state land trust beneficiaries.
HB 172 limits the number of historic horse racing terminals operators can run based on track size and requires a minimum of 16 live racing days at a track to qualify for a permit. It caps terminals at 1,200 per track that’s 7/8 mile or longer and 1,000 per shorter track, and prohibits adding new terminals if existing ones at a location are unused. The bill directly affects racetrack operators seeking simulcasting permits to operate these terminals. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with some provisions effective immediately upon enactment.
Wyoming's HB 189 prevents homeowners associations (HOAs) from banning political campaign signs on members' property, directly affecting HOA residents and the associations themselves. The bill allows HOAs to set limited rules, such as requiring ground-mounted signs (not attached to fences), restricting sign size to 4x6 feet, limiting displays to one sign per candidate, and banning signs after 30 days post-election or before candidate filings. It also permits HOAs to restrict signs that threaten safety, violate laws, contain obscenity, or cause driver distractions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to newly created HOAs or those amending bylaws after that date.
HB 165 increases retirement benefits for Wyoming state employees under the Wyoming Retirement System. It raises the calculation rates for normal retirement benefits: before July 1, 2026, for some members it increases from 2% to 2.125% for the first 15 years of service and from 2.25% to 2.5% for additional service years; after that date, the rates will be permanently set at 2.125% and 2.375% respectively. The bill affects state employees who became covered under the retirement system before September 1, 2012, or after August 31, 2012, depending on their hire date. The bill is pending legislative action and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 153 prohibits intentionally harassing, injuring, or killing predatory animals (like wolves or mountain lions) on public lands using vehicles such as cars, trucks, or snowmobiles. It directly affects hunters who use motorized vehicles to pursue predators on public land, banning this practice while allowing government agencies to use aircraft for lawful duties. The bill amends existing wildlife laws to add this vehicle restriction, requires the Game and Fish Commission to create implementing rules, and takes effect July 1, 2026. (Note: This is a procedural bill focused on regulating hunting methods, not creating new programs.)
HB 183 (Renters' Property Tax Relief) expands eligibility for Wyoming's property tax refund program to include renters of their principal residence, not just homeowners. To qualify, renters must meet income limits (not exceeding 145% of their county’s median household income), have total household assets under $150,000 (adjusted annually), and provide proof they are not behind on rent. The bill caps refunds at 75% of the prior year’s property tax paid or half the county’s median residential tax liability, whichever is lower. It becomes effective January 1, 2027, and requires the Department of Revenue to establish rules for implementation.
