HB 126 clarifies that home-based child care provided in a private residence (for up to 15 children regularly) is considered a "residential use" of property. This means property covenants that only allow "residential" uses cannot block family day care operations, unless the covenant explicitly and clearly prohibits child care. The law applies to existing and future property covenants that don't address child care directly. It takes effect on July 1, 2024, directly affecting homeowners operating family day care in their residences.
This bill amends Wyoming's public records law to explicitly include investigations conducted by the Department of Corrections (DOC) under the existing exception for investigatory records. It means DOC investigation records - like those related to prison security or staff misconduct - will now be withheld from public disclosure, similar to records held by police or sheriffs. The change directly affects individuals or organizations requesting DOC investigation files, making such records unavailable unless legally required to be released. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not create new programs or funding.
Wyoming's SF 96 clarifies that certain custodial and fiduciary accounts held by banks - where customers' assets (including digital assets) are managed - cannot be treated as the bank's assets during bankruptcy or receivership. The bill requires banks to keep these assets fully segregated from their own funds, maintain separate accounting, and use written agreements explicitly stating customers retain ownership. It specifically governs digital asset handling, allowing stablecoin reserves and third-party trading platforms under strict segregation rules, while prohibiting commingling of customer assets with the bank’s or third parties’ assets. This directly affects banks offering digital asset custody services and their customers by ensuring asset protection in financial distress.
SF 113 creates a new misdemeanor offense for drivers who ignore road closures specifically designed for light and high profile vehicles (such as large trucks or buses). Violators face a $2,500 fine paid immediately upon conviction, and the offense is classified as reckless driving for commercial driver's license purposes. This violation can lead to a 90-day license suspension for a first offense, six months for a second within five years, or permanent license revocation after two prior violations in that period. The bill applies to all drivers of such vehicles who disregard closure signs and takes effect July 1, 2024.
SF 26 clarifies the term of office for members appointed to fill vacancies on special district governing boards in Wyoming. It specifies that an appointee must serve until the next regular election and cannot have their term extended beyond the vacancy they were appointed to fill. This applies to all special districts covered by Wyoming’s relevant statutes, including those with governing bodies like boards of directors. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.
HB 138 sets a $5 million minimum cash balance requirement for any new state funds added to Wyoming's Pool A investment account, effective July 1, 2024. It exempts the emergency water projects account (created under W.S. 41-2-124(f)) from this rule, requiring its funds to remain invested in Pool A. The bill appropriates $2.035 million to boost the Wyoming Public Television matching funds account to $5 million and $1.905 million for the State Fair endowment account, both to meet the new minimum. These changes apply only to specific state funds and do not alter investment policies for existing accounts.
This bill changes how Wyoming's State Fair Board manages its finances and operations. It allows the board to directly spend funds for the fair and fairgrounds (instead of requiring the Agriculture Department director to handle payments) and removes the requirement that the Agriculture Director chair subcommittees. These changes take effect September 1, 2024, and require the board to create implementing rules.
This bill (SF 83) is a technical correction to Wyoming's statutes, not a new policy. It amends specific sections of existing law to fix errors, outdated references, or inconsistencies in the legal code - such as correcting wording in testimony procedures (W.S. 7-4-204) or mineral trust fund rules (W.S. 9-4-719). It directly affects how existing laws are written and applied but does not create new programs, obligations, or funding. The bill focuses solely on ensuring statutory accuracy, with no substantive policy changes or new impacts on citizens or entities.
Wyoming's SF 42 establishes new standards requiring utilities serving over 10,000 customers to generate a growing percentage of electricity from "dispatchable and reliable low-carbon sources" by 2038. It defines "low-carbon" as electricity meeting strict emissions limits (under 650 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour) and requiring 75% carbon capture from existing coal units or equivalent new sources. The bill allows utilities to recover compliance costs through a capped 2% surcharge on customer bills and mandates annual progress reports to the Public Service Commission. These changes directly affect Wyoming's major electric utilities and aim to balance emissions reductions with grid reliability.
This Wyoming bill (SF 114) requires local governments (counties, cities, towns) to recognize contractor licenses issued by other Wyoming jurisdictions. It ensures contractors with active, good-standing licenses from one area can work elsewhere in Wyoming without paying new fees or retaking tests - only minimal verification (like proof of license validity) is allowed. The law does not force recognition for unrelated license types and lets localities maintain their own application processes for work outside a contractor’s original license scope. It applies to all Wyoming local governments issuing contractor licenses and takes effect July 1, 2024.
Wyoming's SF 77 requires county clerks to report property sales within five miles of designated critical infrastructure zones to the Office of Homeland Security and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Critical infrastructure zones - designated by the governor in consultation with the homeland security director - include areas vital to state or national security, such as energy facilities or communication systems. The law mandates that these agencies investigate transactions involving "designated countries or persons" (like foreign adversaries) or posing security threats, with all investigation details kept confidential. Annual reviews of zone designations ensure they remain the least restrictive necessary for security.
Wyoming's SF 132 allocates unspent federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) pandemic relief funds to specific state programs. The bill directs $440 million in ARPD funds (unexpended federal relief funds) to agencies like health departments, workforce programs, outdoor recreation, transportation infrastructure, and emergency services. Key provisions specify that funds must support pandemic recovery efforts, such as healthcare worker retention, rural health innovations, and emergency response systems, while prohibiting general post-secondary education spending except for critical career training. The bill also requires reporting on fund usage and sets conditions for how agencies may spend the allocated amounts.
