HB 65 requires Wyoming's secretary of state to publish and maintain all executive orders issued by governors on the official state website. It defines "executive order" (excluding certain proclamations like special session calls) and mandates that all previously issued executive orders be added to the website as soon as reasonably practicable. The bill applies directly to governors, the secretary of state, and the public, ensuring greater transparency by making these orders easily accessible online. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not change the content or authority of executive orders, only their public availability.
HB 52 establishes a "right of appeal" for the state (prosecutors) in specific criminal cases, allowing automatic appeals without court permission when certain rulings occur. It directly affects state prosecutors and defendants in cases where a judge dismisses charges, suppresses evidence, allows a withdrawn guilty plea, or declares a statute invalid. Key provisions include automatic appeals for dismissals of indictments, suppression of evidence (like physical or confession evidence), withdrawn pleas, or rulings that a statute is unconstitutional. The bill does not change criminal law but alters appeal procedures, effective July 1, 2025. (Note: This bill died in committee and did not become law.)
HB 68 expands Wyoming's urban renewal code to require municipalities to address affordable housing as part of renewal projects. It defines "affordable housing" as units where household income does not exceed 120% of the county's median income and mandates that local governments adopt resolutions confirming housing shortages or blighted areas before proceeding. The bill requires cities to prioritize private development of affordable housing through urban renewal programs, including rehabilitation or redevelopment of blighted areas. These changes directly affect Wyoming municipalities seeking to use tax increment financing for housing projects.
HB 29 changes how Wyoming distributes severance taxes from oil and gas extraction. Currently, for fiscal years 2023-2025, two-thirds of these taxes go equally to the Mineral Trust Fund and the Common School Account. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the same two-thirds will instead be deposited into the Highway Fund. This shift affects state budget allocations for roads, schools, and mineral trust programs, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 180 creates a state-administered mental health program for K-12 public schools in Wyoming, requiring all public school districts to implement it for at least two school years starting in 2025-2026. The program mandates schools to screen students for mental health needs, stabilize those identified, and refer them to appropriate services, with districts reporting on student outcomes and funding use. It allocates $5 million (reappropriated from existing funds) plus $805,000 specifically for the program, funding new roles like community project managers and coordinators at each participating district. School districts must notify parents if their child is identified for services under the program and submit annual reports to the state education department, with a final evaluation due by August 1, 2026.
This bill (HB 48) changes Wyoming's confidentiality rules for the Department of Family Services (DFS). It requires the DFS director to review program effectiveness and allows sharing of certain data with other agencies (like education, health, or research entities) for referrals, services, and bona fide research, as permitted by federal law. The bill amends existing statutes (including W.S. 9-2-2104 and 14-6-437) to create specific exceptions to confidentiality, while still protecting most sensitive records. DFS must also create implementing rules and report to the legislature by October 2025 on data-sharing practices and safeguards.
HB 151 amends rules for appointing sportsmen and hunter representatives to Wyoming's predator management district boards. It requires these directors to have held a valid Wyoming fishing or hunting license within the previous 24 months and removes staggered term limits for their appointments. The bill affects individuals seeking board positions representing sportsmen and hunters, ensuring current hunting/fishing participation. These changes take effect January 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in March 2025.
HB 243 establishes a licensing framework for denturists in Wyoming, creating a new profession category under the existing dental licensing system. The bill requires denturists to complete accredited training programs, work under a dentist's supervision, and provide services only through written prescriptions from dentists. It also adds denturists to the Board of Dental Examiners and specifies that dental laboratories must follow written work authorizations. This directly affects denturists (who gain regulated practice), dentists (who must issue prescriptions), and dental labs (requiring formal written orders for work). The bill does not apply to students performing denturism as part of their curriculum.
HB 98 would extend Wyoming's existing property tax exemption for long-term homeowners by removing its scheduled expiration date. This bill directly affects homeowners who have owned their primary residence in Wyoming for 20+ years, ensuring they continue to qualify for the tax break. The key provision repeals the sunset date in current law, making the exemption permanent without new eligibility requirements. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but died in committee before becoming law.
HB 15 changes bonding requirements for small-scale mining operations in Wyoming. It increases the required financial guarantee from $2,000 to $5,000 per acre (and $3,000 to $7,000 for quarries) for operations starting July 1, 2025, for activities like sand, gravel, or limestone mining on 15 acres or less. Operators must notify landowners within one mile and environmental agencies before starting, and bonds remain in place for at least two growing seasons after reclamation to ensure land restoration. This directly affects small mining operators, nearby landowners, and the state's environmental monitoring agencies.
HB 124 repeals the excise tax on malt beverages (like beer) in Wyoming, removing a tax of $0.005 per liter that previously applied to beer sales. It also adjusts limits for personal importation of malt beverages, allowing individuals to bring in up to five (5) gallons for personal use without paying state taxes. The bill directly affects beer wholesalers, retailers, and consumers who import beer for personal use. Key changes include removing the tax collection requirement for malt beverages and updating importation rules, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not change taxes on wine or distilled spirits.
This Wyoming bill prohibits using eminent domain (government power to take private land) for pipelines transporting carbon dioxide used in carbon capture, utilization, or storage projects. It directly affects companies developing carbon capture infrastructure, preventing them from acquiring land through eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. The law applies only to projects starting construction on or after July 1, 2025, and amends existing eminent domain statutes to exclude carbon dioxide pipelines from standard utility rights. It does not impact other pipeline projects or existing carbon capture operations.
