HB 59 modifies Wyoming's bond election rules to require local governments to clearly state key details in bond questions, including the purpose, maximum principal amount, repayment term, and interest rate. Voters can now sue a local government if the bond question fails to meet these requirements, delaying bond issuance until a court resolves the dispute. The bill directly affects cities and towns seeking voter approval for bond issues and ensures transparency in how bond proposals are presented. It does not change election timing rules but adds a legal remedy for misleading bond language.
HB 63 increases Medicaid reimbursement for skilled nursing homes in Wyoming by 5% for services provided between July 2026 and June 2028. This directly affects nursing homes participating in Wyoming’s Medicaid program, which will receive higher payments for care provided during this period. The bill allocates $4.7 million in state funds and $4.7 million in federal funds to cover the increased reimbursement, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by June 2028. The Department of Health must report on costs and recommend future adjustments by October 2027, and will develop necessary implementing rules.
HB 64 increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for eligible healthcare providers offering maternal services in rural and frontier areas of Wyoming. It directly affects Medicaid-enrolled providers (like obstetricians, family doctors with OB privileges, midwives, and surgeons providing cesarean backup) and Medicaid clients receiving prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care in these regions. The bill allocates $2 million ($1 million state, $1 million federal) for 2026-2028 to fund these enhanced rates, with the Department of Health required to report on costs and potential adjustments by October 2027. Its key goal is to improve access to maternal care, reduce related health risks, and maintain provider availability in underserved areas.
HB 14 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully defend against criminal charges by reasonably using self-defense, resulting in a not-guilty verdict, dismissed charges, or release from prosecution. It also mandates automatic expungement (permanent removal) of criminal records for these individuals without requiring a court hearing, including no filing fees for either reimbursement petitions or expungement requests. The bill directly affects people prosecuted for crimes but acquitted or having charges dismissed due to lawful self-defense. Key provisions include county-funded reimbursement for defense costs and streamlined court orders to erase all related arrest and prosecution records. The law applies to cases where self-defense was used to prevent injury or property damage, as defined in the bill.
HB 27 ensures that when land is annexed by a city or town, counties continue handling pending building permits and land use applications until those applications are officially approved or denied. After a decision is made, jurisdiction automatically transfers to the annexing city or town. The bill prohibits counties from arbitrarily denying such applications solely to force this transfer. It applies to all pending applications filed on or after July 1, 2026.
HB 93 requires Wyoming courts to make most court records and audio/video recordings of proceedings available online for free, including documents like pleadings, evidence, and case details. Exceptions include juvenile cases, adoptions, sealed records, sexual assault cases, and sensitive materials like child pornography or bulky exhibits. Courts must also stream hearings live and maintain an online archive of recordings within seven days. The bill establishes a new fund to cover technology costs for implementing these changes.
HB 94 requires all Wyoming elections to use paper ballots counted manually in public view, replacing electronic voting systems. It establishes statewide standards for ballot design (must be human-readable), secure storage (sealed containers under 24/7 video for 2 years), and chain-of-custody records for all ballots. County clerks must publicly document ballot counts within one hour of completion and maintain video recordings of counting for 60 months. The bill directly affects all Wyoming voters and election officials by mandating transparent, manual counting processes and repealing prior authorizations for electronic tabulation.
Wyoming's SF 64 creates the Wyoming Housing Revolving Loan Program to address affordable housing shortages. It provides loans to local governments, housing authorities, and nonprofits for new construction, rehabilitation, or land acquisition of affordable and workforce housing (80% of funds), plus zero-interest loans for planning and predevelopment (20% of funds). The program is funded by a $30 million transfer from the Strategic Investments Account (if not repealed), with repaid loans replenishing the fund. All loans require state attorney general certification and annual reporting to the legislature on fund usage and project outcomes.
Wyoming's HB 123 creates education savings accounts (ESAs) that provide state-funded support for eligible students. Eligible students (Wyoming residents not yet in kindergarten or still in K-12 public school) receive annual funds ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 based on household income relative to federal poverty levels. Parents can use these funds for qualified expenses like tuition at certified schools, tutoring, textbooks, or technology, with payments disbursed quarterly by the state superintendent. The program is administered through a dedicated state fund, requiring parent agreements and adherence to defined spending rules.
HB 114 sets new safety rules for railroad operations in Wyoming. It limits train lengths to 8,500 feet or the shortest passing track/siding, requires wayside detection systems every 10 miles on main lines to identify equipment problems (like overheating parts), and mandates visual inspections and operator reporting. Railroad companies operating in Wyoming must install these systems, train staff on their use, and report detection alerts or system failures. Violations could result in civil penalties ranging from $500 per foot over length limits to $250,000 for severe safety failures causing injury. The bill directly affects all railroad companies operating trains within the state.
This bill requires all pesticide labels sold in Wyoming to match the health and safety warnings registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), eliminating state-specific variations. It directly affects pesticide sellers and distributors in Wyoming by mandating uniform labeling aligned with federal standards. Key provisions include overriding previous local labeling requirements and ensuring labels don’t differ in material ways from EPA-registered versions. The law does not change Wyoming’s authority to regulate pesticide use, distribution, or sale under existing statutes, and takes effect July 1, 2026.
Wyoming's HB 119 prohibits state courts, tribunals, and agencies from applying foreign law (including international legal systems) that violates constitutional rights guaranteed by the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions, such as equal protection or free speech. The bill voids any court ruling based partly on such foreign law, but includes key exceptions for tribal law, religious matters, voluntary agreements to use foreign law, and federal treaties. It also prevents venue transfers in civil cases that would result in applying prohibited foreign law. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
