Wyoming Bills

HB 120 exempts from Wyoming property taxes energy production equipment temporarily stored in the state before installation. It directly affects businesses storing specialized energy equipment (like wind turbines or solar panels) for future use in energy production facilities. The law defines "energy production equipment" to include items for natural gas, coal, wind, solar, hydro, or nuclear energy, but excludes standard building materials or construction tools. This exemption applies only during temporary storage prior to installation and takes effect July 1, 2019.

vetoed · Wyoming · House Mar 18, 2019

HB 251: Coal export terminal litigation.

HB 251 authorizes Wyoming's legislature to sue Washington state for denying permits for coal export terminals, which Wyoming claims unconstitutionally harms its coal industry. The bill creates a $250,000 "coal export terminal litigation account" to fund legal costs, allowing a joint legislative committee to hire private counsel and pursue damages or declaratory relief. It directly affects Wyoming's coal producers and economy by enabling legal action to address permit denials that the legislature asserts disrupt interstate commerce and state revenue. The bill does not change existing laws but provides specific funding and procedural steps for this lawsuit.

signed · Wyoming · House Mar 15, 2019

SF 156: Medical digital innovation sandbox.

Wyoming's SF 156, the Medical Digital Innovation Sandbox Act, creates a time-limited testing environment for new medical digital tools like apps or software that help diagnose or monitor health conditions. It allows developers to temporarily bypass certain health licensing rules (covering 19 professions including doctors, nurses, and dentists) if they apply to the Department of Health and meet safety standards. To participate, applicants must pay a $500 fee, undergo criminal background checks, post a consumer protection bond, and submit detailed safety plans for review within 90 days. The sandbox does not exempt developers from criminal liability or civil claims, and the Department of Health can refer violations to law enforcement.

signed · Wyoming · House Mar 15, 2019

HB 308: Modernizing and balancing Wyoming's school funding streams.

HB 308 modernizes Wyoming's public school funding system by adjusting how mineral royalties, severance taxes, and other revenue streams are allocated. It requires up to $8 million annually from mineral royalties (for fiscal years 2019-2020) to fund school capital construction projects, while gradually reducing the annual spending rate from the common school account from 5% to 4.5% of its five-year average value over time. The bill also allows the state treasurer to use the common school account to make interfund loans to the school foundation program when dedicated revenues are delayed, ensuring timely payments to school districts. These changes directly affect all Wyoming public school districts by altering the flow of state funds for operations, capital projects, and transportation services.

signed · Wyoming · House Mar 15, 2019

HB 148: State offices-contract transparency.

HB 148 requires Wyoming's five elected state officials and all legislators to annually disclose contracts they have with state entities. Specifically, they must list the business name, address, contract type, and dates for any contract involving a business they financially own (excluding small stock holdings under 1% or minor business interests). This disclosure must be submitted by January 31 each year to the Secretary of State. The bill does not change state spending rules but mandates transparency about potential conflicts of interest in existing contracts. It applies to all state agencies and judicial branches, effective July 1, 2019.

Garry Piiparinen (R) · 20 co-sponsors

Bill results