This bill (SF 185) requires Wyoming public entities (like cities, counties, school districts, and the state) to sell government-owned property not used for "governmental purposes" after 10 consecutive years of non-use, with a deadline of January 1, 2027. It defines "governmental purpose" to include health/safety facilities, education, infrastructure, and administrative buildings, but explicitly excludes recreational properties (like campgrounds and movie theaters), leased commercial spaces, and idle land. Property required by law (such as state lands managed by the Board of Land Commissioners) is exempt from this requirement. The law aims to ensure government assets are used for public services or sold, reducing unused public holdings.
Wyoming's SF 150 creates a property tax exemption for real estate and equipment (like buildings and training tools) used exclusively by for-profit trade schools for educational purposes in the state. To qualify, schools must be registered in Wyoming, located within the state, offer career-focused training aligned with workforce needs, and maintain national accreditation. The exemption applies only to property used for teaching - commercial uses like retail space don't qualify - and requires annual reporting to the state. Schools must apply for the exemption, which lasts five years and requires renewal before expiration. This policy aims to support workforce development by reducing operating costs for qualifying institutions.
This bill revises Wyoming's net metering rules to distinguish between existing and new small solar/wind energy systems. It requires utilities to compensate *new* small customer-generators (systems operational after January 1, 2026) under a compensation system established by the Public Service Commission, while preserving current rules for *existing* systems (operational before December 31, 2025). Cooperatives must adopt new rates for new generators by January 1, 2026, and file them with the Commission. The bill also changes annual credit rollovers, requiring unused credits to be sold to utilities at their avoided cost rate. These changes directly affect residential and small business energy producers installing new systems after 2025.
HB 205 creates the Wyoming State Fair Department, transferring all state fair operations - including staff, funding, equipment, and responsibilities - from the Department of Agriculture. The new department will be led by a director appointed by the State Fair Board (with Senate approval), who will manage the annual fair held in Douglas and oversee fairgrounds maintenance. Existing state fair functions, including budgeting for the fair and its grounds, will now fall under this standalone department instead of Agriculture. The bill formalizes this structural change while maintaining the fair's current purpose of celebrating Wyoming's agricultural heritage through competitions and exhibits.
HB 186 requires Wyoming's Game and Fish Commission to issue "bear coupons" with certain resident elk hunting licenses, allowing the holder to harvest one brown or black bear (not grizzly) in areas where elk hunting is permitted. The bill mandates the Commission to provide evidence of grizzly bear population recovery to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by July 1, 2025, to support delisting grizzlies from the endangered species list. It prohibits taking grizzly bears within the Yellowstone recovery zone and specifies that bear coupons do not require additional fees or count toward hunting license limits. The law takes effect upon delisting confirmation or January 1, 2026, whichever comes first.
Wyoming's SF 68 creates a temporary tax exemption for all state-owned lands, making them exempt from property taxes regardless of their use (e.g., parks, buildings) starting January 1, 2025, but this exemption expires January 1, 2027. The bill also establishes a task force to study government property tax exemptions - including historical practices and a recent court decision - and recommend changes to make tax treatment uniform across state, local, and other government properties. The task force must report its findings by October 1, 2025, and includes members appointed by legislative leaders and the governor. This bill does not affect taxes on improvements to land or other government-owned property (like cities or schools), and it appropriates $65,000 total for task force operations.
Wyoming's SF 85 requires the state Attorney General to investigate local government actions (counties, cities, towns) that allegedly violate state law or the Wyoming Constitution, following a legislator's written request. If violations are confirmed, the Attorney General must give local governments 30 days to fix the issue before the state treasurer withholds their share of state funds distributed under existing revenue laws. The bill creates a specific process: legislators notify local officials first, the Attorney General investigates within 30 days, and funds are withheld until violations are resolved. This directly affects local governments that fail to comply with state law, using withheld state revenue as an enforcement tool.
HB 10 amends Wyoming's rules for small-scale mining operations (15 acres or less) that extract non-coal minerals like sand, gravel, and limestone. It increases reclamation bonding requirements: $2,000 per acre before July 2025 and $5,000 per acre after for most operations, with higher rates for quarries. The bill limits operations to five years unless extended via annual reports, restricts multiple same-mineral operations within six miles, and allows reduced reclamation if landowners plan to reuse the site. These changes directly affect small mining operators seeking to extract non-coal minerals on limited land.
Wyoming's SF 67 revises the long-term homeowner tax exemption by removing its expiration date (sunset) and clarifying eligibility rules. It requires homeowners aged 65+ who have paid residential property tax in Wyoming for 25+ years to reside in the property for at least six months annually to qualify. The exemption, which applies only to a primary residence, directly affects qualifying elderly homeowners with long-term property tax histories. The changes take effect for the 2026 tax year, as specified in Section 3 of the bill.
This bill authorizes Wyoming's legislature to initiate lawsuits in court to clarify or protect its interests regarding federal land management laws. It requires a majority vote from both legislative chambers or the management council to start such cases, with up to $75 million available from the legislative stabilization fund for litigation. The legislation specifically targets federal laws like the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act that affect land use within Wyoming. It cites Wyoming's constitutional "equal footing" status as justification for the legislature's standing to seek court rulings on these matters. The bill does not create new policies but establishes a legal process for the legislature to address federal land management interpretations.
SF 18 exempts Wyoming oil and gas producers from 3% of the severance tax (out of a total 6% rate) when producing oil and gas using enhanced recovery techniques that capture and reuse carbon dioxide (CO2) sourced within Wyoming. To qualify, producers must use carbon capture technology and submit an application, with the CO2 required to originate from within the state. The bill mandates annual reports to state committees on the exemption's usage and revenue impact. This directly affects producers using carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology for enhanced oil recovery.
Wyoming's SF 3 mandates separate hunting licenses and seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. This directly affects hunters of both species, requiring the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to establish distinct seasons and license rules for each deer type. The bill amends existing laws to create new licensing categories, including separate fee structures and preference point systems for nonresident hunters. These changes aim to manage each deer population more effectively through targeted hunting regulations.
