This joint resolution proposes amending Wyoming's constitution to prohibit foreign adversaries of the U.S. and foreign entities deemed a national security threat by the legislature from owning, using, or inheriting property in Wyoming. It would block these entities from holding any real estate, mineral rights, or other property interests, including surface and subsurface rights. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to take effect as part of the state constitution. (Note: This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a law, and has not yet been enacted.)
This Wyoming bill (SF 68) creates a property tax exemption for small business tangible personal property valued at $2,400 or less in a single county. It directly affects small business owners who hold low-value business assets like equipment or inventory (excluding property used for personal/family purposes). The exemption replaces existing reporting and valuation requirements for such property, streamlining tax treatment for minimal-value business holdings. The change takes effect January 1, 2025, and does not apply to property tax assessments made before that date.
HB 127 creates a new property tax exemption for non-agricultural real property in Wyoming's "all other property" category. It exempts a portion of a property's value above its prior year's taxable value, adjusted by the county's median household income change (capped at 3% annually). Property owners who acquired their property in the prior calendar year are excluded, and tax assessment notices must now show exemption details. The exemption applies starting with the 2024 tax year.
HB 168 prohibits nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and foreign governments from purchasing or acquiring agricultural land in Wyoming, with limited exceptions. It directly affects foreign entities seeking to own farmland, requiring existing owners (as of July 1, 2024) to retain but not expand their holdings. Key provisions include mandatory registration of agricultural lands, annual reporting, and penalties for violations - including state takeover (escheat) of noncompliant land. Exceptions allow inheritance, security interests, debt collection, and research use (with strict limits on commercial sales).
This bill requires Wyoming to issue separate hunting licenses and establish distinct hunting seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. It directly affects hunters of both species, including residents and nonresidents who purchase licenses, by mandating separate management under state wildlife regulations. The key mechanism involves amending existing laws to create new rules for license issuance, season scheduling, and preference point systems specific to each deer type. This change aims to improve wildlife management by allowing targeted conservation efforts for each species, without altering license fees or quotas.
SF 97 prohibits anyone except authorized election officials (county clerks or the secretary of state's designees) from sending absentee ballot application forms to voters unless the voter specifically requests one. This bill directly affects voters by preventing unsolicited mailings of ballot forms and restricts distribution to only those who explicitly ask for them. The key mechanism requires election officials to distribute forms only upon a qualified elector's specific solicitation, eliminating unsolicited outreach. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming law, as specified in Section 2 of the bill.
SF 84 sets limits on fees school districts can charge for renting their facilities in Wyoming. It requires districts to charge no more than the *additional* costs incurred for each specific rental (like extra utilities or cleaning), provide a clear breakdown of those costs, and keep fees consistent for similar uses. This directly affects school districts (who set the fees) and renters (like community groups or businesses using school buildings). The law takes effect July 1, 2024.
This bill modernizes how Wyoming manages certain state funds by removing their "inviolable" status (permanent protection) to allow more flexible investment strategies. It establishes a 3% annual spending limit for the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, calculated using a 5-year average of the fund's market value, and redirects investment earnings back into the fund's corpus instead of separate accounts. These changes affect the state treasurer's investment of funds like the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, which supports grants to arts, historical, and cultural organizations. The bill aims to improve investment returns while maintaining the fund's purpose of preserving Wyoming's cultural heritage.
Wyoming's SF 64 establishes refunds for oil, gas, and coal producers who pay severance taxes on minerals extracted from the federal mineral estate. Beginning January 1, 2025, eligible producers will receive annual refunds equal to 75% of increased federal royalty costs resulting from higher federal mineral royalty rates. The refund amount is calculated based on the producer's prior year's severance tax liability and must be claimed annually by July 1. This policy directly affects mineral producers operating on federal lands within Wyoming, providing them a partial reimbursement when federal royalty rates rise.
SF 65 extends the maximum duration for temporary water use permits from two to five years for specific projects like highway construction, railroad repairs, or drilling. It clarifies that only the state transportation commission - not contractors - can acquire water rights for highway projects, requiring the commission to handle all fees and approvals. The bill also strengthens protections for senior water rights holders, allowing them to demand temporary diversions be shut off if their rights are affected. This amendment takes effect July 1, 2024, directly impacting state agencies, infrastructure contractors, and water rights holders in Wyoming.
Wyoming's SF 51 prohibits knowingly spreading manipulated videos, audio, or images (like deepfakes) that falsely depict a person's appearance, speech, or actions in a way that misleads viewers. It requires clear, visible disclaimers for synthetic media (e.g., "This is AI-generated" on videos or spoken notices in audio) and bans distribution without these notices when the intent is to deceive. Victims can sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions to stop the spread, while malicious use to influence elections faces misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months in jail or $750 fines). The law excludes protected speech under free speech clauses and takes effect July 1, 2024.
HB 42 prohibits Wyoming election officials from soliciting, accepting, or taking private funds for election-related costs, requiring all election expenses to be paid with public funds instead. It exempts meals for poll workers and election staff, and allows the Secretary of State to exempt certain special district elections via rule. Federal election funds remain unaffected under the bill. The law takes effect July 1, 2024.
