Wyoming's SF 138 requires the Wyoming Energy Authority to study the economic impact of the state's energy industry by October 1, 2025. The study must analyze energy production types, regional economic effects, annual tax contributions, employment data, payroll, and other economic benefits over five years. It also mandates the Energy Authority to seek assistance from state agencies and higher education institutions, then submit findings to specific legislative committees. This bill directly affects the Energy Authority and indirectly affects Wyoming's energy producers by requiring data collection on their economic contributions.
HB 242 requires motor vehicle dealers selling new trailers (excluding house trailers and semitrailers) to obtain a "sales authorization" document from the trailer manufacturer or distributor. This authorization confirms the dealer is permitted to sell specific trailer makes, replacing previous requirements for some dealers. The bill also exempts manufacturers and dealers of non-house-trailer, non-semitrailer new trailers from certain existing regulations (like W.S. 31-16-109 through 31-16-111). The changes apply to all new trailer dealers and manufacturers in Wyoming starting July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's SF 106 establishes rules for how new vehicle dealers can set rates for warranty repairs. It allows dealers to set hourly labor rates and parts markup rates based on their actual non-warranty service pricing, requiring mutual agreement with manufacturers or submission of specific repair order data. The bill specifies calculations (dividing total charges by hours for labor, or parts charges by cost for markup) and excludes routine maintenance, collision repairs, and other non-qualifying work from rate calculations. Manufacturers must pay approved warranty claims within 30 days and follow new procedures for audits. This directly affects dealers who perform warranty work and manufacturers who pay for those services.
This bill (SF 146) amends Wyoming's Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act to modernize rules for agreements where consumers rent property (like furniture or electronics) with an option to purchase. It directly affects consumers entering these agreements and merchants offering them in Wyoming, including those using digital platforms. Key provisions require clear written disclosures about termination rights and mandatory liability damage waiver disclaimers (printed in bold 10-point type or equivalent digital format), allow agreements to be signed digitally with consumer consent, and define terms like "online presence" and "independent third-party retailer location." The bill also specifies how notices must be delivered (e.g., email with consent) and prohibits misleading terms in waiver contracts. It is currently proposed legislation (introduced January 2025), not yet enacted.
This bill (SF 119) creates faster licensing pathways for military service members and their spouses in Wyoming who want to work in licensed professions. It requires licensing boards to issue expedited licenses within 30 days for applicants with active out-of-state licenses and military IDs, and to provide fee-free temporary permits valid up to 3 years while they complete full licensure requirements. The bill also mandates that boards consider military training and experience when evaluating qualifications and ask applicants about military status on all license forms. It applies to all licensed professions and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 157 requires voters in Wyoming to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. It defines "proof of U.S. citizenship" to include documents like a Wyoming driver's license (without citizenship indicators), tribal ID cards, U.S. passports, birth certificates, or naturalization certificates. This applies to all voter registration processes, both in-person and by mail, and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects any Wyoming resident seeking to register to vote for the first time or update their registration.
HB 232 requires manual hand counting for certain election recounts in Wyoming, directly affecting county clerks, candidates, and election officials. The bill mandates that recounts requested by candidates must be conducted by hand (not electronic systems), revises primary and canvass deadlines to allow time for this process, and specifies that candidates can request recounts based on defined criteria. It clarifies that county clerks must appoint counting boards for recounts and authorizes the secretary of state to establish rules for handling ballots during manual counts. The bill does not change who can request recounts but replaces electronic recount options with mandatory hand counting in specified cases.
This bill amends deadlines for reviewing industrial, wind, and solar project permit applications in Wyoming. It extends the timeframe for county commissioners to hold public hearings on applications from 45-60 days to 45-90 days after an application is deemed complete, and increases the deadline for applicants to fix incomplete applications from 30 to 60 days. For wind and solar projects, counties must now hold hearings and make decisions within 120 days (up from 90 days) after receiving an application. The changes apply to all permit applications submitted under relevant laws on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 245 requires Wyoming counties to use paper ballots and pens as the default method for marking ballots during in-person voting in all elections, effective July 1, 2025. Counties must provide voters with paper ballots and pens to mark ballots secretly, though electronic ballot marking devices may still be available for voters with disabilities who meet federal accessibility standards. This bill directly affects county clerks and election officials who manage voting systems, replacing current default practices with paper ballots unless specific disability accommodations apply. The law amends existing election codes to ensure paper ballots remain the standard, with no requirement for counties to adopt electronic systems as the default.
Wyoming's SF 39 allows vehicle owners to automatically transfer title to a named beneficiary upon death, bypassing probate. Owners complete a beneficiary designation form listing the vehicle details, all current owners, and the beneficiary's name, then sign it. Upon the owner's death, the beneficiary presents the form, proof of death, and a fee to the county clerk to receive a new title - without needing court involvement or the estate's approval. This applies only to vehicles with a properly executed form and does not affect existing liens or ownership interests.
This bill (SF 110) modifies Wyoming's Governmental Claims Act to include crossing guard volunteers and school district employees acting as crossing guards under the definition of "public employee." It directly affects these volunteers and school staff by granting them the same legal right to file claims for injuries sustained while performing crossing guard duties as other public employees. The key change creates a new definition subsection (H) in the law, explicitly adding these individuals to the category covered by the Claims Act. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law, with no additional implementation mechanisms or financial provisions.
HB 116 invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses issued to unauthorized aliens (non-citizens not lawfully present in the U.S.) in Wyoming. It deems such licenses invalid if issued by another state or marked to indicate the holder didn't prove lawful presence. The bill modifies existing law to exclude these licenses from valid exemptions for nonresidents and adds penalties for driving with an invalid license, including fines up to $750 or jail time. It requires the Wyoming Department of Transportation to create rules for implementation and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects undocumented immigrants holding out-of-state licenses who would no longer be permitted to drive legally in Wyoming.
