HB 115 reorganizes Wyoming's election administration by designating the state canvassing board (led by the secretary of state) as the central authority responsible for overseeing elections statewide. It directly affects county clerks, who will now operate under the board's supervision, and voters, whose felony conviction status will be verified through the board's electronic voter registration system instead of county-level processes. Key provisions include defining the "state canvassing board" in statute, requiring the board to maintain election law uniformity, and streamlining voter registration checks for felony convictions without requiring fingerprints or fees. The bill amends over 40 election code sections to centralize these responsibilities but was not advanced beyond introduction in 2023.
HB 205 prohibits K-12 public school educators and state employees from using public funds to teach or require training on specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or national origin. It bans instruction claiming any group is inherently superior/inferior, that individuals should be discriminated against based on identity, or that people are inherently racist due to their background. Exceptions allow teaching historical oppression or using primary sources in approved curricula. Violations may trigger civil penalties up to $5,000 per incident, private lawsuits for damages, or disciplinary action against educators. The bill is pending in Wyoming's legislature (introduced January 2023, not yet considered for debate).
HB 237, the "Beer Freedom Act," repeals Wyoming's excise tax on malt beverages (beer), which was $0.005 per liter. This change directly affects beer wholesalers, retailers, and consumers by eliminating the tax on beer sales within the state. The bill amends specific statutes (W.S. 12-3-101(a), 12-2-201(c), and others) to remove the tax requirement, meaning no tax will be collected or reported on beer. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not impact taxes on wine or distilled spirits.
Wyoming's HB 224 prohibits state government and election officials from accepting private money for conducting elections. The bill requires all election costs to be paid with public funds, with exceptions only for food provided during election training/education or for poll workers on election day. Officials violating this prohibition face felony charges punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. Federal funds for elections remain permitted under the bill. It becomes effective July 1, 2023.
HB 162 allows Wyoming counties to voluntarily impose an excise tax on high-value real estate sales to fund affordable housing. Specifically, counties must first get voter approval (via petition or resolution) to tax sales exceeding $1.5 million at a 1% rate, with all revenue dedicated exclusively to local affordable housing projects for low/moderate-income households. The bill requires counties to define "affordable housing" based on local income standards and exempts common transfers like spousal gifts, deeds correcting prior records, and property transfers under $1.5 million. It does not mandate the tax but creates a framework for counties to adopt it through democratic processes.
HB 273 amends Wyoming's game and fish trespass law to require that a person must "knowingly" enter private property to hunt, fish, collect antlers, or trap without permission for it to be a violation. This change clarifies that accidental or unintentional entry does not constitute a trespass under this statute. The bill directly affects hunters, anglers, and trappers who might enter private land without authorization, ensuring the law applies only to intentional violations. It does not change penalties or create new regulations, merely specifying the required mental state for the offense. The amendment becomes effective July 1, 2023.
HB 258 establishes licensing for denturists in Wyoming, allowing them to make and fit dentures under specific rules. It requires denturists to graduate from accredited programs (like those approved by the National Denturist Association) and limits their work to dental laboratory tasks directed by a licensed dentist. The bill also adds a denturist position to the state dental board and specifies that denturist students performing work as part of their training are exempt. This directly affects denturists seeking licensure, dentists overseeing their work, and patients receiving denture services.
HB 187 prohibits male students from competing on teams designated for female students in Wyoming public and private schools that compete against public schools. It defines "sex" as biological sex at birth and requires schools to designate teams as male-only, female-only, or coed. The bill also establishes a process for the state board of education to determine eligibility exceptions for students seeking to participate on teams inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth, based on physical characteristics and other factors. This provision is contingent on court rulings invalidating prior related laws, as specified in the bill. The law directly affects K-12 students and school athletic programs across Wyoming.
HB 280 amends Wyoming's anti-discrimination law to establish specific criminal penalties for intentionally causing bodily injury or property damage based on a person's race, color, sex, creed, or national origin. It classifies offenses as misdemeanors (up to 6 months in jail and $750 fine) for lesser harm like minor bodily injury or property damage under $1,000, or felonies (up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fine) for serious injury or property damage of $1,000 or more. The law directly affects individuals who commit hate-motivated violence or vandalism and applies to anyone acting with the intent to intimidate or harass a victim due to their protected class. It becomes effective immediately upon enactment.
HB 234, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," allows health care providers (like doctors and nurses), institutions (such as hospitals), and payers (like insurance companies) to refuse to provide or pay for specific health care services based on their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It prohibits discrimination against these entities for such refusals and requires institutions to adopt internal policies enabling conscience-based objections. Key provisions include requiring written consent before a provider can be assigned to perform an abortion and ensuring religious organizations can align employment or admission decisions with their beliefs. The law does not override existing obligations for emergency care or other essential services.
HB 107 would change Wyoming's attorney general from an appointed position to an elected statewide office, starting with the 2026 general election. Currently appointed by the governor, the attorney general would then be elected for a four-year term with requirements including at least four years of legal practice experience and state residency. The bill updates election procedures to include the attorney general on ballots alongside other statewide elected officials like governor and secretary of state, and subjects the office to the same ethics and disclosure laws as other elected state positions.
HB 249 allows Wyoming county treasurers to issue temporary 30-day registration certificates and electronic payment proof when vehicle owners pay registration fees online. This directly affects drivers who pay online, providing immediate proof of valid registration while awaiting official license plates and stickers. The bill amends state law to confirm county treasurers' authority to provide this temporary verification. It does not change registration fees or requirements, only streamlining the process for online payments. The change became effective July 1, 2023.
