Wyoming's SF 41 allows each county to create a dedicated "county fair endowment fund" managed by the county commissioners. The fund can receive grants, gifts, donations, or bequests (including those with specific restrictions) and must be invested by the county treasurer, with interest retained in the fund. County commissioners (or a fairgrounds board they authorize) may use these endowment funds to build or improve fairgrounds facilities, buy land for fairs, purchase equipment, or operate county fairs. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
This Wyoming bill (SF 52) clarifies definitions and penalties related to alcohol sales under specific permits. It creates a new definition of "sell" for special permits, clarifying that transactions involving alcohol exchanged for consideration count as sales under these permits. The bill adjusts penalties for unauthorized sales by removing the standard penalties in W.S. 12-8-102(b) and instead specifies misdemeanor penalties of up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail for sales without required permits. It directly affects businesses seeking 24-hour malt beverage permits or catering permits.
SF 48 establishes rules for Wyoming employers operating seasonally, allowing the Department of Workforce Services to formally designate qualifying businesses (those operating for 3+ years with recurring short-term active periods under 30 weeks yearly). It prevents unemployment benefits for employees during gaps between consecutive seasonal work periods if they have "reasonable assurance" of returning to the same employer. Employers must notify all employees in writing about this designation and display notices prominently during active seasons. The law applies to benefit claims filed on or after October 1, 2019, and excludes certain industries (like specific NAICS codes) and employers with delinquent tax accounts.
This Wyoming bill (SF 127) changes penalties for fleeing police by elevating certain cases to a felony. It makes fleeing a felony if the driver causes bodily injury, damages property over $5,000, or violates another specific traffic law (W.S. 31-5-229). Drivers convicted under these aggravated circumstances face up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, instead of the previous misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months or $750). The law directly affects drivers who flee police and cause serious harm or significant property damage. It took effect on July 1, 2019.
HB 294 requires Wyoming's Office of State Lands to study specific school trust land parcels near major highways (I-25, I-80, I-90) and the Grand Teton National Park Kelly parcel. The study must evaluate development options - including commercial, residential (including affordable housing), sustainable resource use, and limited gaming - to maximize land value, while preserving the state's royalty interests. The office must solicit proposals from development firms, estimate costs/revenue, and submit a final plan to state committees by November 2019. This is a preparatory study; it does not authorize development but sets the framework for future decisions.
This non-binding resolution expresses Wyoming's support for private companies developing coal-to-carbon products, such as graphene, construction materials, and advanced fibers. It encourages continued investment in this industry to create manufacturing and research jobs across various skill levels. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with federal officials and local governments but does not create new laws or funding. It formally recognizes private sector investment in coal-to-carbon R&D as a key economic opportunity for Wyoming.
Wyoming's SF 77 authorizes $1.29 million in funding from the Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Income Account for five specific conservation and restoration projects approved in 2019. The bill funds projects including three conservation easements (protecting over 4,500 acres for wildlife habitats like sage grouse and migration corridors) and two river restoration efforts (repairing infrastructure to maintain water flow and wetlands). Key provisions require Wyoming to be a third-party beneficiary in all conservation easements and specify that funds are only for projects already approved. The bill does not create new funding mechanisms but allocates existing trust funds to these pre-vetted projects, with appropriations totaling $260,000-$388,000 per project.
This bill amends Wyoming law to strengthen protections for children under 16 by specifically prohibiting caregivers from exposing children to methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, or LSD in any setting (including manufacturing, storage, or use locations). It clarifies that "in the presence of a child" includes situations where a caregiver knows a child is present and may witness domestic violence or drug activity. The law also limits temporary protective custody to 48 hours for the affected child and 24 hours for siblings in the same household, requiring court orders for extended custody. These changes became effective July 1, 2019, directly impacting caregivers, law enforcement, and child protective agencies.
SF 87 allows any person to temporarily acquire the use of an existing water right (not new rights) for instream flow purposes - such as maintaining river flow for ecological health - without permanently changing ownership. It requires the state engineer to administer these temporary uses, ensuring they don’t interfere with existing water rights or reduce their value. The temporary right is limited to a specific stream segment, preserves the original water right’s priority date, and lasts no longer than two years. This bill directly affects landowners, environmental groups, or entities seeking short-term water access for river conservation.
SF 123 requires school districts to ensure that entities they fund - such as organizations receiving over 60% of their funding from state sources - comply with public records and meeting laws. School districts cannot use state funds to support entities that fail to meet these requirements, unless funds are only used to achieve compliance. The bill excludes labor unions, teacher professional organizations, and private businesses providing goods/services from these rules. This policy extends existing public transparency laws to entities controlled by school districts, aiming to increase accountability for publicly funded activities.
This bill (SF 166) adjusts Wyoming's school funding formula for the 2019-2020 school year by applying specific inflation-based increases to four categories: professional labor, non-professional labor, educational materials, and energy costs. These adjustments - calculated using Bureau of Labor Statistics indexes - would affect public schools receiving funds through the School Foundation Program (S5 account). It also allocates $15 million from the air service improvement account for commercial air service contracts, pending governor approval. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died in committee in 2019 without becoming law.
SF 80 requires all Wyoming school buses transporting students to have external video systems starting with the 2016-2017 school year. It allows recordings from these systems to be used as evidence for violations of passing a stopped school bus (W.S. 31-5-507), with a $195 fine issued to the vehicle's registered owner if the driver cannot be identified. This fine does not count as a moving violation for license suspension or as a conviction for other purposes. The bill also specifies defenses for owners who did not consent to the driver using the vehicle or who sold the vehicle before the violation occurred.
