This bill creates a new "boutique hotel liquor license" for hotels meeting specific criteria. To qualify, a hotel must be valued at $10 million or more (including land), include a restaurant, have at least 35 short-term guest rooms, provide 12-hour daily dining, and offer meeting space for 50+ people. The license allows on-premises alcohol sales only (with exceptions for catering) and requires an annual fee of $500-$3,000. It is intended for upscale hotels and exempts them from population-based liquor license limits.
Wyoming's SF 88 requires the 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 and prior notice to the local government. If violations aren't resolved within 60 days of notice, the attorney general must notify the state treasurer to withhold state funds from the violating entity until the issue is fixed. The bill creates a specific process for holding local governments accountable, including mandatory reporting to the governor and legislature. It directly affects counties, cities, and towns that adopt policies conflicting with state law, with the primary enforcement tool being the withholding of state revenue distributions. The law amends existing fund distribution rules to implement this withholding mechanism.
HB 146 expands Wyoming's property tax relief program to include renters who occupy rental properties as their principal residence. It allows eligible renters to apply for a refund of up to $250 (or the calculated amount, whichever is less) based on their income and assets, while existing owner-occupants continue to qualify for relief covering up to 75% of their property tax paid. To qualify, applicants must meet income limits (not exceeding 125% of their county's median household income), asset limits ($150,000 per adult), and occupy the property for at least 9 months annually. Applications must be submitted by June 1st each year, with refunds issued by September 30, and the bill takes effect January 1, 2025.
This Wyoming bill (SF 43) prohibits separating and selling ownership of subsurface pore space (empty spaces in rock formations holding oil, gas, or water) from surface land ownership after July 1, 2024. It allows existing severed pore space rights (transferred before July 1, 2024) to continue being conveyed, but requires clear descriptions of the subsurface location for any transfers between 2008 and 2024 to be valid. The law grandfathered pre-2008 contracts and pre-2024 severed rights, meaning they remain enforceable. The bill failed committee introduction on February 13, 2024 (10-21 vote) and will not become law.
Wyoming's SF 78 creates a $10 per ton financial incentive for carbon dioxide providers who use carbon capture technology to supply CO2 for enhanced oil recovery projects within the state. To qualify, providers must capture CO2 using specific technology, sell it for in-state oil recovery, and already receive the federal tax credit under 26 U.S.C. 45Q. The state would fund this through a dedicated "enhanced oil recovery stimulus account," with payments made after state auditors verify eligibility. This bill directly affects carbon dioxide providers meeting these criteria, not general consumers or other industries.
House Joint Resolution 2 (HJ 2) is a Wyoming legislative request urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. The amendment would require disclosure of who funds political campaign spending and limit or ban contributions from corporations, unions, and other entities that are not natural persons. It specifically excludes groups composed of individuals who publicly identify their members and donors. The resolution failed its introduction vote (35-26) in February 2024 and has no direct effect on current laws.
SF 28 would create a new "Federal natural resource management coordinator" position within Wyoming's governor's office to monitor and respond to federal actions affecting the state's natural resources. The coordinator would review federal laws and regulations for impacts on Wyoming's interests, coordinate land exchanges with federal agencies, and protect state rights from federal overreach - including administering incentives like bonuses for state employees who defend these interests. The bill appropriates $10 million from the state general fund to fund the position and its activities for two years (2024-2026), while repealing the existing "coordinator of state-federal relations" role. This positions the state to proactively address federal resource management decisions through a dedicated, funded role.
SF 39 would require Wyoming's state fire marshal to create a 20-minute recruitment film for volunteer firefighters, working with the Department of Workforce Services and other agencies. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the state general fund (2024-2026) to produce and distribute the film publicly. It directly affects volunteer firefighters and recruitment efforts across Wyoming by aiming to attract new volunteers through a dedicated promotional video. The film must be created with potential help from a public relations firm, but the bill itself does not change firefighter duties or qualifications.
SF 62 authorizes Wyoming's Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to lease state lands for recreational use, including parks and historic sites. The bill allows the department to sell permits for recreational access to leased lands, rent concessions (like cabins or boat services), and manage funds generated from these activities for park operations and maintenance. It directly affects state parks visitors, concession operators, and the department by creating a formal system for leasing and revenue management. The legislation updates existing law to clarify leasing authority, permit rules, and fund disposition for state lands used recreationally.
HB 28 creates a new misdemeanor offense for intentionally blocking someone with court-ordered visitation or custody rights from accessing a child. The law applies to parents or others legally entitled to see a child under a custody determination, making it illegal to willfully prevent that access. Penalties include up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both, with two defenses: preventing immediate harm to the child or a 14+ year old child initiating the action without criminal intent.
Wyoming's HB 19 creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing $5,000 annually per eligible student to cover qualified education expenses. It directly affects low-income Wyoming students (household income ≤250% of federal poverty level) who are either not yet in public school or haven't graduated high school. Funds can be used for tuition at qualified schools, tutoring, textbooks, educational therapies, technology, and other approved expenses as defined in the bill. The state superintendent of public instruction administers the program, disbursing funds quarterly from a dedicated state account. The bill failed its introduction in February 2024 with a 41-19 vote.
HB 118 allocates approximately $440 million in leftover federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Wyoming state agencies for specific pandemic recovery purposes. It directly affects state agencies like Health (for workforce retention and rural healthcare innovations), Parks (for outdoor recreation grants), Transportation (for emergency communications systems), and others by authorizing targeted spending on qualifying ARPA expenditures. Key provisions include detailed line-item funding for programs like workforce development, mental health services, emergency medical services, and infrastructure projects, while requiring strict reporting and prohibiting use for post-secondary education outside critical career training. The bill also mandates reversion of unspent funds to the federal government and specifies that funds cannot replace state revenue.
