HB 4 extends Medicaid health coverage for pregnant women in Wyoming from the standard 60-day postpartum period to 12 months. This applies to individuals enrolled in Wyoming Medicaid or the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP), directly affecting low-income pregnant women and new mothers. The bill appropriates $3.8 million in state funds and $3.8 million in federal funds for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to cover this extended eligibility, with funding limited to July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024. Coverage ends on March 31, 2027, as specified in the bill’s temporary provisions.
This joint resolution proposes amending the Wyoming Constitution to authorize the legislature to create a property tax exemption for residential homes owned by elderly or infirm residents. The exemption would aim to preserve homeownership for these groups, particularly if deemed necessary for supporting the poor, but the legislature would determine specific eligibility and implementation. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval at the next general election to take effect, and it does not automatically create the exemption.
Wyoming's HB 200 increases application fees for nonresident hunters seeking licenses to hunt elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, grizzly bear, and wild bison. The bill adds specific supplemental fees to existing license costs (e.g., $576 for elk, $288 for deer/antelope) and updates base license fees for all listed species. These changes directly affect nonresidents who apply for big-game hunting licenses in Wyoming. The bill takes effect January 1, 2024, with all new fees applied to nonresident applications.
This bill makes shed antlers and horns from big game animals found on Wyoming public lands the property of the state, not private individuals. It requires the Game and Fish Commission to establish specific collection seasons, with residents allowed to begin collecting three days before nonresidents. The rules must minimize disturbance to big game populations in areas west of I-90 (from Montana to Buffalo) and west of I-25 (from Buffalo to Colorado). This directly affects hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who collect shed antlers on public lands.
Wyoming's HB 276 states that all shed antlers and horns found on public land belong to the state, not individuals. It requires anyone collecting these items on public land (specifically west of I-90 from the Montana border to Buffalo and west of I-25 from Buffalo to Colorado) to obtain a permit. Residents may collect without charge, while nonresidents must pay a $20 fee. The Game and Fish Commission will create rules to implement the permit system, effective immediately upon enactment. This law directly affects hunters, collectors, and outdoor enthusiasts who gather shed antlers on public lands.
Wyoming's SF 169 creates a 12-member task force to plan a state shooting complex. The task force includes state agency directors, two firearm industry representatives, a shooting sports organization member, a hunting conservation group representative, and legislative members appointed by leadership. It must develop location criteria, review existing facilities, create a request for proposals, and make recommendations by October 1 each year until June 2026. The bill appropriates $8.125 million from existing state funds (including $5 million from American Rescue Plan funds) specifically for the complex's siting and construction, with all funds required to be spent by the 2026 deadline.
HB 99 amends Wyoming's property tax refund program to adjust eligibility requirements for homeowners. It sets income limits (capped at 125% of median household income in the applicant's county or state) and asset limits ($100,000-$150,000 per adult, adjusted annually for inflation) for the state-level refund program. The bill also allows counties to create optional property tax refund programs with similar income thresholds but county-determined limits. Refunds are capped at 50% of the applicant's prior year's property tax or the county's median residential tax, whichever is lower. The changes apply to homeowners occupying their primary residence for at least 9 months and meeting residency requirements.
SF 79 requires healthcare providers in Wyoming to create "plans of safe care" for infants born with prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol. These plans must address the infant's safety and health needs, connect families to substance use treatment and early intervention services, and be developed with parents or guardians. Hospitals must report the number of infants covered by these plans to the Department of Family Services and share the plans with child protective agencies if safety concerns arise. The bill applies directly to newborns affected by prenatal substance exposure and their families, with requirements effective January 1, 2024.
This bill changes how court reporter fees are set in Wyoming. It requires district courts to establish fees for transcripts, records, and other papers through rules created by the district court judicial conference (instead of fixed statutory amounts). The bill repeals existing fee structures and takes effect July 1, 2023. It directly affects court reporters and individuals needing court documents in civil cases, as fees will now be determined locally by court rules rather than statewide.
This bill allows elected and appointed town officers in Wyoming (such as mayors and council members) to voluntarily waive their salary or compensation at any point during their term. It amends existing law to explicitly state that officers entitled to pay may choose not to receive it, without affecting other officials' existing rights. The change is procedural and takes effect immediately upon enactment, providing a clear option for officers who wish to serve without pay.
This bill allows Wyoming's Energy Authority to finance oil and gas refinery construction and expansion projects through bonds. It amends the authority's purpose to explicitly include supporting refinery development and permits bond issuance specifically for these projects. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming effective. This directly affects oil and gas refineries in Wyoming seeking state-backed financing for new or expanded facilities.
SF 97 repeals the Wyoming Education Trust Fund and related provisions. It requires the state treasurer to transfer all remaining unencumbered and unobligated funds from the trust fund and a separate account to the common school account within the permanent land fund by July 1, 2023. Any future funds that would have reverted to the trust fund will instead revert to the common school account. This bill changes the administrative handling of these funds but does not alter how education funding is allocated or spent.
