HB 216 would have removed a requirement for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Wyoming to obtain additional "advanced certification" to provide hospital care. Instead, it would have allowed hospitals to set their own physician oversight rules through their medical staff bylaws, rather than mandating certification through the Board of Nursing. The bill proposed this change take effect on July 1, 2024. However, the bill was withdrawn by its sponsor on February 16, 2024, and did not become law.
This bill would repeal Wyoming's existing low-carbon energy standards for public utilities. It requires utilities to refund customers for rates collected under those repealed standards (with an exception for costs already spent on carbon capture technology before the bill's effective date). The Public Service Commission would establish rules to implement these changes. The bill directly affects all public utilities operating in Wyoming and their customers who paid the now-repealed rates.
Wyoming's SF 108 would regulate chemical abortions by requiring healthcare providers to physically examine patients, be present during the first drug dose, and provide biohazard-labeled waste bags for disposal. It mandates that providers schedule follow-up visits within seven days and instruct patients on proper disposal of medical waste. The bill also holds manufacturers responsible for the environmental remediation of abortion drugs and their byproducts entering water systems. This law directly affects healthcare providers prescribing abortion drugs and drug manufacturers, with penalties including up to three years in prison or $10,000 fines for violations.
SF 127 revises how Wyoming distributes sales and use tax revenue. It reduces the state general fund's share of these taxes from 69% to 66% for both sales and use tax collections. The bill also increases the portion of out-of-state vendor tax revenue distributed to counties, cities, and towns from 29.5% to 34%, and doubles the fixed annual payments to counties (from $20,000 to $40,000 for sales tax, and from $5,000 to $10,000 for use tax). These changes take effect on July 1, 2024.
This Wyoming legislative bill (SJ 3) proposes amending the state constitution to require future constitutional amendments to be approved by a majority of voters in at least three-fourths of Wyoming's counties (not just statewide). It would directly affect all future constitutional amendment proposals by adding this county-level approval requirement. The key change modifies Article 20, Section 1 of the Wyoming Constitution, which currently only requires statewide voter approval. The bill failed to advance after a 14-17 vote against introduction on February 16, 2024.
This bill repeals Wyoming's temporary tax exemption for electricity produced from wind energy, ending a moratorium that previously exempted wind power from a production tax. Starting July 1, 2024, all wind-generated electricity in Wyoming - including power produced before the repeal that qualified for the old exemption - will be subject to the tax. The bill directly affects wind energy producers by requiring them to pay the tax on their electricity output. It makes no changes to existing tax rates but removes the specific exemption that had applied to wind energy since 2020. (Note: The bill failed to advance in the legislature on February 16, 2024.)
Wyoming's SF 117 requires public schools to assess all kindergarten through third-grade students for reading proficiency three times yearly using state-approved tools. Students scoring "below basic" on the grade 3 English language arts assessment must be placed on an individualized reading plan with parental involvement, or face grade retention in third grade. The bill mandates schools to notify parents of reading deficiencies, provide evidence-based interventions, and document progress. It applies directly to K-3 students and their schools in Wyoming public education, with specific requirements for parental notification and intervention planning. The bill also prohibits score modification and outlines procedures for addressing reading deficiencies before retention.
This bill requires land developers (subdividers) in Wyoming to submit proof to the state engineer about how they will handle water rights before a subdivision permit is approved. It mandates one of three specific actions: voluntarily abandoning water rights, changing water use outside the subdivision, or providing an approved plan for distributing water rights to new lots. Developers must also notify buyers that Wyoming law does not recognize riparian rights to stream flow and disclose any potential impacts on existing water systems. The bill was introduced in 2024 but failed to pass after a 17-14 vote in the Senate.
This bill establishes a voluntary paid family and medical leave insurance program for Wyoming employees, providing up to 60% wage replacement for 12 weeks per year for qualifying events like childbirth, adoption, caring for a seriously ill family member, or the employee's own serious health condition. The program would roll out in phases: state employees would be offered coverage by March 2025, private employers with two or more employees could choose to offer it by March 2026, and self-employed individuals or small businesses (with one or fewer employees) could purchase individual coverage by March 2027. Employers may opt to cover premiums for their employees but are not required to, and premiums would be pre-tax where permitted by law.
HB 120 would establish a regulatory framework for online gambling (interactive gaming) in Wyoming, authorizing and overseeing internet-based casino-style games like poker or slots through the Wyoming Gaming Commission. The bill defines key terms, requires operators to verify players' physical presence in Wyoming via geolocation technology (except under reciprocal agreements), and mandates rules for security, wagering procedures, and revenue collection. It explicitly excludes fantasy sports, tribal gaming on Indian lands, and traditional lotteries from this definition. This legislation would directly affect online gambling companies, their service providers (like payment processors), and Wyoming residents who participate in interactive gaming.
HB 94 increases the maximum capacity for residential and small commercial solar/wind energy systems under Wyoming's net metering program from 25 kilowatts to 750 kilowatts. This change directly affects homeowners and small businesses that generate their own electricity, allowing larger systems to connect to the grid and receive credit for excess power. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 37-16-101 to update the definition of "net metering system" and takes effect on July 1, 2024.
HB 50, titled "What is a Woman Act," defines "sex" for legal purposes as a person's biological sex at birth, requiring all state laws, rules, and regulations to use this definition. It mandates that "woman" and "female" refer exclusively to individuals born with female biology (XX chromosomes, reproductive system for ova), and "man" and "male" refer to individuals born with male biology (XY chromosomes, reproductive system for fertilization). The bill requires state agencies, schools, and public facilities to collect vital statistics identifying people as male or female based on birth sex and to maintain separate accommodations (e.g., restrooms, shelters, prisons) based on biological sex. It applies directly to Wyoming state agencies, schools, and public entities collecting data or managing facilities. The bill failed its introduction in the Wyoming House on February 15, 2024.
