Wyoming's SF 61 clarifies that carbon dioxide (CO₂) is not considered pollution for the purpose of a property tax exemption. The bill amends a tax code section to explicitly exclude CO₂ from the definition of pollution that qualifies for the exemption, which applies to property used for controlling air, water, or land pollution. This change affects property owners who previously might have claimed tax exemptions for CO₂-related pollution control systems, now making those systems ineligible. The exemption remains available for other pollution control methods, and the Department of Revenue must create rules to implement the change, effective January 1, 2026.
This bill clarifies that park rangers, superintendents, and assistant superintendents at Wyoming state parks, recreation areas, historic sites, and archeological sites are defined as "peace officers" under state law. It specifies they may exercise authority within these sites or assist other law enforcement officers when requested. The change applies to all such personnel who have completed required training under Wyoming Statute 9-1-701 through 9-1-707. This update ensures clear legal authority for park staff to perform their duties and collaborate with other officers without expanding existing powers.
Wyoming's SF 23 expands who can approve handicap placards by adding advanced practice registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and optometrists to the list of healthcare providers authorized to issue the required letters for applicants. This directly affects individuals with disabilities needing placards, as they can now seek approval from a wider range of licensed medical professionals. The bill modifies existing law to include these providers in the eligibility criteria, ensuring their letters meet the same requirements as physician approvals. It does not change the placard display rules or expiration process but streamlines the application pathway by broadening provider options. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
HB 82 sets clear timelines for health insurers to process provider credentialing applications. Insurers must notify applicants within 7 days of receiving an application and complete the review within 60 days (pausing if applications are incomplete), with written outcomes required. It mandates reimbursement for covered services starting from when the application was received, if a provider becomes credentialed before services are provided. Dental and vision insurers are exempt from using a uniform application form. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all health insurance carriers in Wyoming.
Wyoming's SF 25 establishes an electronic system for processing vehicle titles and liens, requiring dealers, lenders, lienholders, and counties to use this system instead of paper records. The system handles electronic processing of title applications, lien notations, security interest releases, and sales tax payments for motor vehicles. Mobile homes are explicitly exempt from this requirement, while owners not in the vehicle financing business may still choose paper titles through county clerks. This replaces outdated paper-based procedures with a centralized electronic platform for vehicle title management.
Wyoming's SF 20 establishes new bonding options for oil and gas operators to ensure financial responsibility for plugging abandoned wells and reclamation. It creates a voluntary bonding pool where operators in good standing can participate, funded by a future assessment (starting at 0 mills in 2025-2030, then up to $0.0005 per dollar of oil/gas value after 2030). Funds collected will be used exclusively for well plugging, reclamation, and bond forfeiture costs, separate from other conservation funds. The bill directly affects all Wyoming oil and gas operators required to maintain bonds under state law.
HB 61 amends Wyoming's state land leasing rules to give current leaseholders a preferred right to renew their leases. It directly affects individuals or entities holding state land leases who have paid rent on time and not violated lease terms. The bill requires these lessees to meet the highest bid from other qualified applicants, but the bid cannot be below the minimum fair market value (determined by the board) and must not exceed 120% of the previous year's local fair market value. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Wyoming's SF 63 allows property owners adjacent to state lands (without a lease) to build legal partition fences along those boundaries. The state lands office will cover half the construction cost, and both parties share maintenance costs based on their interest in the fence. The bill requires the state lands office to create implementing rules and takes effect July 1, 2025, except for rulemaking and effective date provisions that take effect immediately upon enactment. This directly affects landowners bordering state lands and the state lands office.
HB 166 requires Wyoming's state auditor to publish detailed vendor payment information on the official state auditor website within 30 days of each payment. It directly affects all state agencies making vendor payments by mandating the public posting of payment dates, vendor names, agencies involved, amounts, and payment descriptions. The law specifies that this information must remain online for at least five years, applying to all payments made on or after July 1, 2025. The bill aims to increase transparency in state spending without altering existing procurement processes.
Wyoming's SF 48 creates a property tax exemption for small business owners who own business property valued at $50,000 or less in each county they operate. Specifically, if a business owner's total business property (excluding personal/family use items) is worth $2,400 or less statewide, their business property in each county is exempt from taxation. The exemption applies to taxable personal property, such as equipment or inventory, but excludes property already exempt under other rules. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.
HB 214 allows Wyoming cities, towns, and counties to pay claims and demands using electronic payments or fund transfers, instead of physical checks or warrants. It updates existing laws to explicitly permit electronic methods while maintaining current requirements, such as requiring claim certification by a manager and approval by a governing body before payments over $50. The bill ensures electronic payments must still specify the purpose, be payable to specific recipients, and be documented in county payment registers, with effective implementation set for July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's SF 42 creates a new "resort hotel liquor license" category for hotels meeting specific requirements. To qualify, a resort hotel must have a minimum $10 million valuation (including land), include a restaurant, offer at least 35 short-term guest rooms, provide 12-hour daily dining, and have meeting space for 50+ people. The license requires an annual fee between $500 and $3,000, and licensees may not sell alcohol for off-premises consumption except via catering permits. This bill directly affects owners or lessees of large resort hotels seeking to serve alcohol on-site, with provisions taking effect July 1, 2025.
