HB 72 modifies Wyoming's worker's compensation program by allowing investment earnings from the reserve fund set aside for unexpected costs (adverse deviation) to count as revenue for the program. Specifically, the bill authorizes the state to consider 0% to 5% of the previous five-year average market value of this reserve as annual revenue, which will affect how worker's compensation rates are calculated. This change directly impacts the state's worker's compensation fund management, potentially influencing premium rates paid by employers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not alter benefit amounts or eligibility for injured workers.
This bill allows Wyoming county treasurers to issue vehicle registration certificates electronically instead of on paper. It also creates a 30-day grace period for vehicle owners to affix validation stickers to their vehicles after registration, rather than requiring immediate display. The changes directly affect all vehicle owners in Wyoming who must display license plates or validation stickers. The bill amends existing statutes to formalize electronic certificates and the 30-day sticker placement requirement, effective July 1, 2024.
This bill amends Wyoming's state land lease process for agricultural and grazing purposes. It changes how lease renewals and rental payments are filed, stating they are considered submitted on the date the mail is postmarked (not when received). It also specifies that lease applications must include full first-year rental payment via approved methods (like certified checks or money orders), and outlines that 25% of improvement payments may be retained as a penalty if a lease isn't completed. The changes take effect July 1, 2024.
HB 25 requires health insurers operating in Wyoming - including self-insured plans, group health plans, managed care organizations, and pharmacy benefit managers - to respond to state Medicaid inquiries within 60 days regarding claims for healthcare services. It prohibits insurers from denying Medicaid payments solely due to late submission, claim format, missing prior authorization, or lack of documentation at the point of sale. The law applies directly to all entities legally responsible for paying healthcare claims in Wyoming and takes effect July 1, 2024. This streamlines Medicaid claim processing and prevents technical denials that could delay payments to providers.
HB 16 corrects an outdated legal description of the Sutton State Archaeological Site in Platte County, Wyoming. It amends state law to specify the exact land parcel (46.382 acres in Section 6, Township 27, Range 65, Mineral Survey No. 196) managed by the state as the archaeological site, replacing an inconsistent prior description. The bill directly affects the management of this designated site by the Wyoming state department. It has no policy changes beyond updating the legal land description for clarity and accuracy. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
HB 40 clarifies the timeline for school district trustees in Wyoming to take an oath of office. It specifies that trustees must take the oath either by December 1st of the year they are elected or within 10 days of receiving election notification, and before starting their duties. This bill affects all newly elected or appointed school board members across Wyoming's school districts. The law, effective July 1, 2024, aims to eliminate ambiguity about when the oath must be administered.
HB 10 creates a 30-day grace period for current lessees of Wyoming state land to renew their leases. If a lessee submits a written request showing good cause, the director of the Office of State Lands and Investments must grant an additional 30 days beyond the lease expiration date to file a renewal application. This directly affects individuals and businesses leasing state land (e.g., for agriculture or recreation) who might face timing issues with renewal deadlines. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not change existing lease terms or fees.
HB 21 modifies Wyoming's rules for charter school facility leasing. It removes the requirement that charter schools must operate successfully for three years to get reimbursement for leasing costs. The bill also changes how school districts provide space: charter schools no longer need to pay rent for state-approved, adequate facilities included in district facility plans, and the state construction department now reviews space availability. This directly affects charter schools (by reducing costs and access barriers) and school districts (by changing facility-sharing duties). The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill (SF 3) grants Wyoming state employees up to 24 hours of paid leave per calendar year to serve as volunteer firefighters or volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs) within the state. It directly affects all state officers and employees who provide these volunteer services, defining "volunteer firefighter" and "volunteer EMT" using existing statutory terms. The key provision requires state employers to provide the paid leave, with the Department of Administration and Information tasked with creating necessary rules for implementation. The policy takes effect July 1, 2024, for most provisions.
HB 13 exempts "flow-through pools" from Wyoming's public pool and spa health and safety regulations. A flow-through pool is defined as an artificial or partially artificial pool that relies on natural water flow to maintain water quality, rather than mechanical filtration. The bill directly affects operators of such pools by removing their requirement to comply with the state's pool safety standards. It takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not alter other regulatory requirements for conventional pools. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on defining the exemption and its scope.
Wyoming's HB 8 changes the age requirement for obtaining a hazardous materials endorsement on a commercial driver's license, allowing drivers who are 18 years or older to qualify instead of the previous minimum of 21. The bill directly affects commercial drivers seeking to transport hazardous materials by lowering the eligibility age. It amends existing law to specify that the "H" endorsement (for hazardous materials) requires the driver to be at least 18, and directs the Department of Transportation to create necessary rules for implementation. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, with rulemaking provisions effective immediately upon final passage.
This bill prohibits Wyoming insurers from discriminating against organ transplant recipients in life and long-term care insurance. It bans insurers from denying coverage, canceling policies, increasing premiums, reducing benefits, or requiring recipients to forego transplants solely based on their transplant status. The law applies to all insurance policies sold in Wyoming after July 1, 2024, directly protecting transplant recipients from unfair treatment by insurers. It specifically ensures recipients cannot be penalized for their health condition when obtaining or maintaining coverage.
