HB 134 revises Wyoming's property tax deferral program for primary residences under 40 acres. It shifts administration to the Department of Revenue, limits deferrals to half the annual property taxes owed, and changes interest calculations (to 4% compounded or based on treasury yields). The bill requires annual financial verification from applicants and ties deferrals to available state funding, ending automatic deferrals if funds run short. This directly affects qualifying homeowners who own their primary residence on small parcels, ensuring they must re-qualify yearly and face potential immediate payment if their financial situation changes.
HB 77 amends Wyoming's simple assault and domestic assault laws to explicitly include "threatening or menacing conduct" that causes someone to reasonably fear immediate physical harm. It expands the definition so that making another person feel in danger of being physically hurt - through words, gestures, or actions - now qualifies as assault, not just physical attempts. This change directly affects individuals accused of simple assault or domestic assault in Wyoming, applying to all offenses committed on or after July 1, 2024. The bill does not alter penalties but clarifies that verbal threats or menacing behavior alone can constitute a crime.
HB 60 allows Wyoming's Game and Fish Department to compensate landowners, lessees, or agents for extraordinary damage to rangeland caused by big game animals (like elk) until July 1, 2030. It defines "extraordinary damage" as forage consumption exceeding 15% of annual production or herd populations exceeding management objectives for two consecutive years, with compensation based on 150% of private land lease rates. The bill also requires the department to develop elk population reduction plans for overpopulated areas and report them to specific legislative committees by September 2024. This directly affects ranchers and landowners with livestock on rangeland and mandates new procedures for damage claims and wildlife management.
HB 24 repeals Wyoming's requirement for health care facilities to obtain formal department approval before expanding beds or building additions. It changes the process so facilities only need to submit plans for the Department of Health's written comments, rather than prior approval. The bill also removes specific bed expansion limits for nursing homes and hospitals. This change takes effect July 1, 2024, directly affecting health care providers planning facility expansions.
SF 102 prohibits foreign entities designated as "foreign adversaries" (including governments or companies from specified countries) from owning or acquiring real property within 10 miles of critical infrastructure or military installations in Wyoming. It requires such entities to divest property within 8 months of notice, with court-ordered sales and forfeiture of proceeds to the state if they fail to comply. The law mandates registration of foreign ownership with the Secretary of State, requires inclusion of ownership prohibitions in tax documents, and defines key terms like "critical infrastructure" and "significant interest" (25%+ ownership). These provisions apply directly to foreign governments, their entities, or U.S. entities controlled by them, aiming to protect infrastructure security through enforceable ownership restrictions.
Wyoming's SF 82 (Summer Vacation Preservation Act) reduces the minimum required school year from 175 to 165 days and mandates that public school years begin after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day, unless the state board approves an alternative schedule. The bill requires school districts to hold public meetings before proposing alternative schedules and annually evaluate their effectiveness. It also adjusts funding calculations, changing the required minimum operating days for full foundation funding from 185 to 170 days. These changes apply to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, affecting all Wyoming public school districts and their funding.
HB 133 temporarily reduces property taxes for Wyoming taxpayers in 2024. It cuts taxes by 16.67% for industrial property and 33.33% for all other property, applying to both general property taxes and mineral production taxes. The reduction expires on June 30, 2025, meaning it only applies to 2024 tax payments. Property owners and mineral producers who paid taxes before the bill's effective date may receive refunds for overpayments. The bill does not create a permanent tax break but provides a one-time 2024 relief measure.
This Wyoming bill (SF 120) invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses or driving privilege cards issued to people who are not legally allowed to be in the United States (defined as "unauthorized aliens"). It directly affects non-citizens who hold such licenses from other states, making them invalid for use in Wyoming. Key provisions include defining "unauthorized alien," requiring the state to issue rules for implementation, and imposing penalties for driving with an invalid license (up to $750 fine or 6 months in jail for first offenses). The law takes effect July 1, 2024, with rulemaking provisions effective immediately upon passage.
HB 143 modifies Wyoming law to allow family members or caregivers to provide behavior analysis services under the supervision of licensed professionals, without requiring their own license. It specifically permits unlicensed caregivers or family members to deliver assigned services (like implementing treatment plans) but prohibits them from designing assessments or using licensed titles like "behavior analyst." The bill also clarifies that licensed supervisors remain responsible for oversight, and specifies that family members can only serve recipients already under a licensed professional's care. The changes would take effect July 1, 2024, pending final passage.
Wyoming's SF 72 prohibits public utilities from recovering costs related to voluntary donations through customer rates. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to block ratepayers from covering these costs, whether the donations are one-time or ongoing. This directly affects utilities (like electricity or gas providers) and their customers, preventing utilities from passing donation expenses to consumers. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This Wyoming bill (SF 128) amends deadlines for approving charter schools. It changes the date by which up to three charter schools can be authorized by entities other than school districts from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2024. The bill also clarifies that schools previously authorized by the state loan and investment board count toward this three-school limit and allows new approvals if existing charter schools close. The change corrects a typographical error in the existing law and takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
HB 18 would cap annual increases in property tax assessments for residential homes in Wyoming at either the inflation rate (using the U.S. Consumer Price Index) or 5%, whichever is lower. This directly affects residential property owners by limiting how much their tax bill can rise each year, with exceptions for major property improvements or when a home is sold. The bill specifies that non-residential property remains subject to the standard 9.5% assessment rate. It also includes a contingent effective date requiring voter approval of a related constitutional amendment in the 2024 election. The bill is currently inactive after dying in committee in March 2024.
