This bill (SF 1) is a supplemental budget measure allocating funds for Wyoming's state government operations during the 2022-2024 fiscal biennium. It adjusts existing appropriations, including $1.25 million for the Governor's Office to secure infrastructure grants (with reporting requirements), $125,000 to improve international market access, and $120,000 for potential governor transition costs if the 2022 election changes leadership. The bill modifies specific budget line items across state agencies while defining fund types and transfer rules. As a procedural budget bill, it directly affects state agencies receiving these funds and adjusts how they may use allocated resources.
Wyoming's HB 27 establishes mandatory visitation rights for patients in healthcare facilities who stay more than five consecutive days. The bill requires facilities to allow unrestricted visitation and lets patients or their representatives choose visitors or limit access. It directly affects patients receiving extended care and healthcare facilities statewide. The law takes effect July 1, 2022, and prohibits facilities from imposing visitation restrictions under this provision.
This bill (SF 97) changes Wyoming's rules for voters changing political party affiliation. It specifies that voters must submit a signed application to their county clerk to change party affiliation before primary elections (by the nomination filing deadline) or before general elections (at least 14 days prior, or at the polls). Requesting a partisan primary ballot automatically counts as declaring party affiliation. The bill directly affects Wyoming voters who wish to switch party affiliations for upcoming elections.
This procedural bill (SF 90) increases the size of Wyoming's Capital Financing Select Committee from six to seven members appointed by each chamber (Senate and House). It adjusts the party distribution rules, requiring that at least one member appointed by each presiding officer must be from the minority party (previously limited to five minority members total). The bill directly affects how the Senate President and House Speaker appoint committee members, with changes taking effect immediately upon enactment.
HB 29 amends Wyoming's Hathaway scholarship program to increase scholarship awards and adjust fund management. It merges the reserve and expenditure accounts, increases the available balance in the expenditure account, and modifies investment rules to allow more flexible fund use. The key change increases the Hathaway opportunity scholarship to $840 per semester (based on enrollment hours) for qualifying students with a 2.50 high school GPA and 2015-2016 national percentile rank of 43 or higher on college entrance exams. These changes directly affect Wyoming students pursuing degrees or certificates at eligible institutions who meet the academic criteria. The bill also requires annual reporting of fund balances and transfers to the endowment fund.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a property tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners aged 65+ who have lived in their primary residence for at least 10 years. It would exempt 50% of the first $200,000 in home value from property taxes for qualifying seniors (or surviving spouses who previously qualified). Local governments would receive reimbursement from the state for revenue lost due to this exemption, and the legislature could adjust the $200,000 cap through future action. The exemption applies to property tax years starting January 1, 2023, and requires voter approval to become law.
HB 147 changes Wyoming's state budget process by requiring that recommended spending for each two-year budget cycle cannot exceed two-thirds of the state's actual revenue from the previous three fiscal years. This limits how much the state can spend based on verified past revenue, excluding certain funds like pension reserves and unencumbered balances. The bill directly affects state budget planners, the governor's office, and the legislature when developing annual budgets. It repeals older budget rules about fund transfers and stabilization accounts, effective July 1, 2023. The key change is a new revenue-based spending cap to prevent budgeting based on projected or hypothetical revenue increases.
This bill allows restaurants located in airports offering commercial air service to obtain resort retail liquor licenses, provided they seat at least 50 people. It specifically prohibits these airport restaurants from selling alcohol for off-premises consumption (like takeout). The law amends Wyoming's liquor licensing statutes to create this new category for airport restaurants and clarifies that existing rules for off-premises sales do not apply to them. The bill took effect on July 1, 2022.
This bill (SF 112) requires multiple Wyoming state agencies to submit regular reports to legislative committees about their operations and financial activities during the 2022-2024 period. It mandates the Governor’s Office to report quarterly on infrastructure grant spending, the State Treasurer’s Office to provide monthly financial updates and quarterly reconciliation reports, and the Corrections Department to detail funding use for mental health programs and alternative sanctions. The Tourism Board must also report on welcome center improvements. These reports aim to increase transparency around state fund usage and program outcomes for legislative oversight. The bill primarily affects state agencies managing public funds and programs, with reporting deadlines ranging from monthly to annual.
This constitutional amendment (HJ 6) clarifies how Wyoming's permanent common school fund - funded by land sale/lease proceeds - manages investment earnings. It requires all earnings (including investment gains, not just interest) to be deposited into a separate earnings fund, and mandates that the legislature must cover any investment losses to restore the fund's value. Unspent earnings must remain in this separate fund or be added to the permanent school fund, rather than being distributed annually. The bill directly affects Wyoming's public school funding system, ensuring all earnings exclusively support public schools as required by the state constitution.
Wyoming's SF 81 clarifies that the state owns all underground water within its boundaries, as established by the state constitution. The bill preserves existing water use rights for well owners (for irrigation, municipal, or industrial purposes) but requires registration of wells with the state engineer by specific deadlines. It mandates permits for new well construction after July 1, 2022, while allowing existing "exempt" wells to register before December 31, 1972. The bill is declaratory - clarifying current law without altering existing water rights or creating new restrictions.
This bill authorizes additional district judge positions in Wyoming's third, sixth, and seventh judicial districts, subject to specific conditions. It requires certification from the Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice that new court facilities (including a 12-person jury courtroom, offices, and auxiliary spaces) are complete and ready for occupancy in each district - beyond existing facilities as of July 1, 2022. Once certified, the joint appropriations and judiciary committees must sponsor legislation to fund and implement the new positions. The bill itself does not create the positions but sets the requirements for their future authorization through separate legislative action.
