HB 143 increases Wyoming's grant for the LaPrele Dam rehabilitation project from $30 million to $90 million, with the state covering up to 100% of actual development costs. The bill transfers $60 million from the legislative stabilization reserve account to the water development account II to fund this project. It directly affects the dam's sponsor (likely a state agency or local entity managing the project) by providing additional funding for design and construction. The total project budget remains $182 million, with unspent funds reverting to the legislative stabilization reserve by July 1, 2032.
HB 140, the Continuity of Permitting Act, ensures that building permit and land use applications pending at the time a county annexes land into a city or town remain under the county's handling until they are approved or denied. After a decision is made, jurisdiction transfers to the newly annexed city or town. This directly affects property owners, developers, and local governments with pending applications during annexation events. The law applies to all such applications filed on or after July 1, 2025, preventing delays or confusion during the transition.
SF 35 increases Wyoming's maximum liability limits for government claims under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act. It raises the cap from $250,000 to $500,000 per claimant for a single incident, and from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for all claims arising from one occurrence. This affects government entities (like cities or counties) and individuals filing claims against them, as it sets higher limits on how much the government must pay for certain claims. The changes apply to claims based on incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2025.
HB 257 establishes a formal apprenticeship program for aspiring barbers in Wyoming, directly affecting apprentices, licensed barbers who supervise them, and the Barber Examiners Board. The bill requires apprentices to complete 1,600 hours of training (1-2 years), including 36 hours of safety and sanitation training, hold a high school diploma, pay a registration fee, and pass an exam to qualify for a barber license. Licensed barbers may supervise no more than two apprentices at a time in a licensed barbershop. The program takes effect July 1, 2025, and requires the Board to create implementing rules.
Wyoming's HB 153 creates a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial vehicles that are 15 years old or older. Owners pay a one-time fee (including an $87.50 state admin fee plus three times the standard annual registration fee) to replace annual renewal, receiving permanent license plates marked "Permanent" with no expiration date. This change applies only to qualifying vehicles owned by individuals, not commercial fleets, and permanently registered vehicles cannot be transferred to new owners - new owners must pay full registration fees. The bill modifies existing registration statutes to implement this system while maintaining annual renewal requirements for all other vehicles.
HB 250 defines "person" in Wyoming law to mean living human beings possessing at least one biological function (e.g., heart, brain, or respiratory activity). It prohibits health care decisions harming these functions except in medical emergencies to save a pregnant woman's life or when discontinuing life-sustaining treatment with documented no chance of recovery. The bill directly affects medical providers, patients, and families making health care decisions, requiring Wyoming Board of Medicine review for certain exceptions. It excludes the Wyoming Health Care Decisions Act and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 339 prevents homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Wyoming from banning campaign signs on members' property, directly affecting HOAs and homeowners. The bill allows HOAs to set limited rules - such as restricting sign size (max 4x6 feet), limiting one sign per candidate, and setting timing (90 days before primaries to 30 days after general elections) - but prohibits outright bans on campaign signs. It defines "homeowners' association" broadly to cover most residential property groups and adds penalties for violations, making noncompliance a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 274 prohibits students assigned male at birth from competing on women's sports teams at Wyoming schools and colleges, affecting high school and higher education athletic programs. It expands existing rules to include institutions of higher education, creates liability for government entities that violate the prohibition through negligent or intentional acts, and establishes private lawsuits for harmed students or schools. The bill adds whistleblower protections for employees reporting violations and removes immunity for entities that retaliate against those who report or pursue legal action under the law. It also sets a three-year statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 265, the "Defend the Guard Act," prohibits the Wyoming National Guard from being deployed into active combat without a formal U.S. Congress declaration of war or specific constitutional authorization under Article I, Section 8. It directly affects Wyoming National Guard members and units by requiring the governor to block such deployments. The law allows Title 32 deployments for domestic civil support missions within U.S. territories but explicitly restricts combat-related federal service. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 288 allows cities, towns, counties, or school districts in Wyoming to directly serve as the governing board for public recreation systems (like parks and facilities) instead of appointing a separate board. If a local government acts as the board, it is exempt from certain appointment rules under existing law. The bill also requires joint recreation systems (managed by multiple governments) to include at least one representative from each participating entity. It takes effect on July 1, 2025. (Bill: HB 288)
HB 110 requires nonresidents applying for a Wyoming trapping license to provide two specific documents: a notarized affidavit confirming their state of residence and proof that their home state issues similar trapping licenses to Wyoming residents. This bill directly affects nonresidents seeking to trap in Wyoming, ensuring reciprocity by verifying that their state permits Wyoming residents to trap the same species. The key change adds these verification steps to the application process, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter trapping regulations but modifies licensing eligibility requirements.
HB 102 changes Wyoming's Attorney General from a governor-appointed position to a statewide elected office starting in the 2026 general election. It establishes a four-year term, sets the salary, and creates rules for filling vacancies, making the Attorney General a state-elected official like the governor and other top state officers. The bill also updates ethics laws and other statutes to apply to the elected Attorney General, requiring them to be a licensed attorney with four years of practice. This directly affects Wyoming voters, who will elect the Attorney General beginning in 2026, and the Attorney General’s office, which will now operate under elected official rules.
