SF 14 (Wyoming National Guard Professional Malpractice Liability) expands state protection for licensed professionals serving in the Wyoming National Guard. The bill amends existing law to extend malpractice indemnity - meaning the state will cover financial liability - to *all* licensed professionals (not just doctors or attorneys) who perform their civilian duties while on military service. This applies if the professional was acting in their military role during the alleged mistake, regardless of their actual military status at the time. The change took effect July 1, 2023, directly affecting licensed professionals (e.g., nurses, engineers) serving in the Guard.
This bill phases out population-based limits on bar and grill liquor licenses in Wyoming over time. Starting July 1, 2023, cities under 7,500 people can have up to four licenses (increasing to six by 2028), while larger cities see proportional caps that gradually decrease until July 1, 2033, when population formulas no longer apply. It also requires license holders to derive at least 60% of revenue from food sales (not alcohol), bans off-premises alcohol sales except for sealed, partially consumed wine after a full meal, and sets a $3,000 annual fee cap starting in 2033. The law directly affects bar and grill establishments seeking or renewing licenses across Wyoming.
Wyoming's SF 33 updates hunting laws to explicitly define "aircraft" for prohibitions, including drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) alongside traditional aircraft like planes and helicopters. The bill directly affects hunters using drones to locate wildlife or assist in taking game, banning such use except for government agencies performing lawful duties or handicapped hunters with commission exemptions. Key provisions clarify that "aircraft" encompasses all flight-capable devices, strengthening existing bans on aerial hunting aids. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 97 amends Wyoming law to allow chancery courts to handle certain government contract disputes when the contract itself designates chancery court as the venue for resolving disagreements. This change applies only to lawsuits filed after July 1, 2023, and affects government entities and contractors who include this specific venue choice in their agreements. The bill does not alter existing jurisdiction rules but adds chancery court as an option under these limited, contract-specified conditions.
This bill repeals Wyoming statutes requiring apprenticeship programs on public works projects, removing bid preferences for contractors using such programs, and eliminating related reporting requirements. It directly affects contractors bidding on state or local public works projects by eliminating mandatory apprenticeship participation and associated benefits. The key change is the removal of existing rules that previously encouraged or required apprenticeship use in public construction. The repeal takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 10 increases the required bond amount for several Wyoming county officers from $1,000-$10,000 to $100,000, effective July 1, 2023. It directly affects county clerks, coroners, assessors, commissioners, sheriffs, and surveyors by raising their financial security requirements. The bill eliminates the prior requirement for multiple sureties (two or more), allowing officers to use a single sufficient surety instead. This change applies only to officers assuming office on or after the effective date, with no other policy changes specified.
This bill changes how Wyoming state agencies calculate available funds by excluding federal encumbrances (funds reserved for future federal projects) from their fund balance calculations. It amends state law to define "fund balance" as the amount remaining after subtracting state encumbrances, but not federal ones, from the fiscal year-end financial report. The change affects state agencies managing budgets, ensuring their reported fund balances reflect only state funds available for immediate use, not money already committed to federal obligations. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
HB 12 updates Wyoming's child support calculation tables to reflect current income levels and needs. It revises the percentages and base amounts used to determine monthly child support payments based on the combined net income of both parents and the number of children involved. The bill directly affects parents in Wyoming who pay or receive child support, as it changes how courts calculate obligations using updated income brackets (e.g., for one child at $846 combined income, the base is $186 plus 21.3% over that amount). The updated tables take effect July 1, 2023, replacing previous calculations without altering the underlying legal framework.
HB 111 adds fentanyl to Wyoming's list of controlled substances that constitute child endangerment when exposed to children. It prohibits anyone with care of a child from knowingly allowing them to absorb, inhale, or ingest fentanyl or methamphetamine, remain in rooms where these drugs are manufactured/sold, or enter areas used for storing these drugs. The bill removes a previous exception allowing prescriptions to be used as a defense in child endangerment cases involving controlled substances. It directly affects parents, caregivers, and anyone responsible for children's safety in environments where fentanyl or methamphetamine is present. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
This bill cancels two historical drainage district bonds held by Wyoming: the 1932 Lovell bond and the 1935 North Bench bond. It directs the state treasurer to cancel all remaining debt on these bonds, including principal and interest, as uncollectible. To offset the financial impact on the permanent land fund, $24,000 is appropriated from the general fund. The bill does not affect other existing state contracts or debts.
This bill (SF 59) increases the spending flexibility for Wyoming's State Parks account. It allows the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to use up to 60% of funds in the account for park maintenance and operations (instead of the previous 30%), effective July 1, 2023. The change specifically applies to fiscal years 2022 and 2023, and funds cannot be used for new staff or salary increases. The bill directly affects how state parks funding is allocated and spent.
SF 36 amends Wyoming law to update procedures for appointing and managing members of the Investment Funds Committee and its Selection Panel. The bill requires committee members to serve three-year terms starting March 1 (with Senate confirmation), mandates the Selection Panel (composed of five members appointed by the state board) to fill vacancies within 60 days, and requires Selection Panel members seeking committee roles to resign from the panel first. These changes take effect July 1, 2023, and directly affect state board members, Selection Panel members, and committee appointees.
