HB 41 changes the title of the University of Wyoming board president to "president chairman" and allows the board's executive committee to have more than three members. It amends specific Wyoming statutes (including those governing board appointments and financial reporting) to update references to this new title and committee structure. The bill directly affects the governance of the University of Wyoming by formalizing this title change and providing flexibility for the executive committee size. It took effect on July 1, 2019, with no new policy or funding changes.
Wyoming's HB 166 increases the annual decal fee for plug-in electric vehicles from $50 to $200 and establishes a new $100 annual decal fee for hybrid electric vehicles. The bill directly affects owners of these vehicles in Wyoming, requiring them to pay the updated fees when registering their vehicles. Key provisions include the specific fee amounts ($200 for plug-ins, $100 for hybrids) and an effective date of July 1, 2019. The legislation modifies existing vehicle registration fee structures without creating new programs or regulations.
HB 22 requires Wyoming public school districts to implement annual teacher evaluations starting in the 2019-2020 school year. These evaluations must include student test scores and other performance measures, with new teachers evaluated yearly until deemed "effective," while experienced teachers (with two consecutive "effective" ratings) are evaluated every three years. The law mandates that districts provide mentoring and professional development for teachers rated "in need of improvement" or "ineffective," and requires school boards to report evaluation results to the state education department annually. The bill directly affects all public school teachers and administrators in Wyoming, focusing on accountability through structured performance reviews tied to student outcomes.
HB 133 creates the "Hathaway Expand Wyoming Scholarship" to provide financial aid to students from states bordering Wyoming (like Montana and Colorado) attending Wyoming colleges. To qualify, applicants must have a 3.75+ GPA, score in the top 4% nationally on standardized tests, and graduate from a rigorous high school curriculum in a contiguous state. The scholarship covers up to the cost of attendance (capped at University of Wyoming's trustee scholarship amount) but requires recipients to either work in Wyoming for one year per four semesters received or repay funds with interest (capped at 8%) if they don't meet academic requirements or leave Wyoming institutions. This expands eligibility beyond Wyoming residents while adding service and repayment conditions to ensure long-term benefits for the state.
HB 8 modifies Wyoming's school funding formula for major building maintenance by adjusting the percentage used to calculate payments for public K-12 school districts. It specifies different rates (2%, 2.5%, or 3%) applied to adjusted building square footage, with 2% for 2019-2022 and 2022-2023+ school years, 2.5% for 2002-2003, and 3% for 2003-2004 (correcting a typo in the bill text). The bill directly affects all Wyoming public school districts receiving major maintenance funds under the existing formula. It became effective July 1, 2019, as stated in Section 2.
HB 147 changes Wyoming law to make foreign language instruction for kindergarten through second grade optional for school districts, rather than mandatory. School districts may choose to offer such programs, but if they do, they must follow state board standards for instruction. This bill directly affects all Wyoming public school districts serving K-2 students. It became effective July 1, 2019, after passing the Education Committee unanimously.
HB 104 requires all freight trains operated in Wyoming to have a minimum crew of two people, applying to trains moving freight but excluding hostler service or railroad utility employees. Violations result in fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $5,000-$10,000 for repeat offenses within three years. The law, effective July 1, 2019, directly affects railroad companies operating freight trains within Wyoming. It establishes specific penalties to enforce the crew size requirement without altering broader railroad operations.
This bill amends Wyoming's net metering rules to allow electric utilities to authorize customer-generators (like homeowners or businesses with solar/wind systems) to install net metering systems exceeding 25 kilowatts in capacity, which was previously capped. It updates the definition of "net metering system" in state law to remove the 25-kilowatt limit and explicitly permits larger systems under utility authorization. The key change enables customers with bigger renewable energy systems to connect to the grid and receive credit for excess power, expanding access beyond the prior size restriction. The bill takes effect July 1, 2019, without requiring additional legislative action for implementation.
Wyoming's HB 140 requires physicians to wait 48 hours after informing a patient before performing most nonemergency abortions after fetal viability (when the fetus can survive outside the womb). This law directly affects patients seeking abortions and the physicians who perform them. The key provision mandates this waiting period unless a medical emergency poses a substantial threat to the patient's life or health, as determined by a physician. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 35-6-102 and took effect July 1, 2019.
Wyoming's HB 152, the Underground Facilities Notification Act, requires construction planners and contractors to identify and mark underground utility locations (like gas lines or water pipes) before excavation. It directly affects contractors, engineers, and utility operators by mandating pre-excavation checks at no cost to utility companies, pre-marking of excavation areas, and specific emergency protocols if damage occurs (e.g., calling 911 for gas leaks). For government projects over $750,000 in public rights-of-way, it adds requirements for pre-design meetings with utility operators. The bill also specifies that hand-digging or "soft digging" must be used near utilities to prevent damage and clarifies that compliance doesn’t eliminate liability for negligence.
HB 158 removes imprisonment as a possible penalty for most general traffic violations in Wyoming, meaning drivers convicted of minor offenses (like speeding or parking violations) can now only face fines. However, it preserves imprisonment penalties for specific serious violations listed under Wyoming Statutes 31-5-1102 through 31-5-1108 (such as DUI or reckless driving), maintaining up to six months in jail for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects all drivers convicted of traffic violations in Wyoming, shifting penalties for routine offenses to solely fines. It took effect on July 1, 2019.
This bill modifies Wyoming's enforcement procedures for antifreeze and petroleum products. It requires the state director to periodically collect samples from storage tanks and dispensing devices at retail facilities, mandating at least one annual sample per tank. The director must also ensure samples are taken after allowing at least one gallon to flow from dispensers. These changes apply to facilities handling these products and take effect July 1, 2019. The bill updates sampling protocols without altering product standards or creating new regulations.
