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.
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.
HB 50 expands access to criminal identification and intelligence information to specific state agencies, including law enforcement, the parole board, corrections, homeland security (for defined purposes), designated agencies under W.S. 14-6-227, and family services. It requires these agencies to implement reasonable security measures to prevent unauthorized access, with security protocols tailored to each agency's specific use of the information. The bill modifies existing law (W.S. 9-1-627(c)) to formalize these access rules and security requirements. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 51 increases the maximum penalties municipal courts in Wyoming can impose for violations of city ordinances. It raises the maximum fine from $750 to $1,000 per offense and extends the maximum jail term from six months to one year. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of local ordinance violations (such as traffic tickets or noise complaints) handled in municipal courts. The changes apply to all municipal court cases involving city ordinances and take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill amends specific sections of Wyoming law (W.S. 5-6-201, 5-6-210, and 5-6-301) to reflect these updated penalty limits.
This bill requires Wyoming school districts to adopt policies banning student cell phone and smart watch use during instructional time, effective July 1, 2025. It specifically exempts emergency situations, staff authorization, students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, and health-related phone use authorized by medical providers. The policy must exclude basic health-monitoring or time-telling wearable devices. School boards must establish these policies by July 1, 2025, applying to all public K-12 schools. The bill directly affects students, school staff, and district administrators by changing classroom technology rules.
HB 91 restricts the use of eminent domain for wind energy collector systems, limiting this authority exclusively to public utilities with a certificate of public convenience and necessity. It requires non-public utility entities (like private wind energy developers) to comply with new notice requirements for local governments before condemnation actions and sets specific rules for expanding existing easements. The bill applies to condemnation actions initiated on or after July 1, 2025, and specifies that existing contracts remain unaffected. This directly affects companies building wind energy infrastructure seeking to acquire land for power collection systems.
This bill (SF 31) requires the governor to appoint veterans' representatives as nonvoting members on two state boards: the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and the Wyoming Community College Commission. The Wyoming Veterans' Commission will recommend these appointees, who will have speaking rights but no voting power. The change amends existing statutes to formalize this representation, ensuring veterans' perspectives are included in educational governance decisions. It directly affects how these boards incorporate veteran service input, without altering voting authority or financial commitments.
This Wyoming bill (SF 29) creates legal immunity for individuals who return a firearm to its owner after holding it under a temporary agreement. It limits lawsuits against these individuals when returning the firearm as agreed, but does not protect them if they breached the agreement or acted unlawfully. The law applies to written or oral agreements where someone temporarily holds a lawfully owned firearm for another person (e.g., a friend storing a gun while traveling). It excludes certain weapons covered under federal law and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 125 repeals specific restrictions on concealed weapons in schools and public facilities while clarifying that only the Wyoming state legislature can regulate firearms, not local governments. It allows lawfully carrying concealed weapons in government meetings, legislative sessions, and public schools (excluding facilities where students are enrolled under existing law), and prohibits local entities from banning such carry in these locations. The bill also creates a misdemeanor penalty for blocking someone with a valid concealed carry permit from entering authorized areas. It explicitly preserves private property owners' rights to ban firearms on their land and requires the state building commission to issue necessary rules within 30 days of the law's effective date.
This bill increases both employee and employer contributions to Wyoming's public employee retirement plan. Employees will pay 8.5% to 9.75% of their salary (rising gradually), while employers will pay 8.62% to 9.87% of employee salaries, with firefighters paying lower rates. The bill appropriates $3.483 million from the general fund and $6.825 million from public school funds to cover the increased employer costs for state agencies, universities, and school districts. These changes take effect July 1, 2021, and apply through the 2025-2026 fiscal biennium.
