HB 50 prioritizes funding for municipal solid waste facility projects using existing state funds. It establishes a ranked list of 18 specific projects, including $100,000 for animal waste disposal infrastructure and up to $4 million for landfill closures in communities like Thermopolis, Big Horn County, and Upton. The Department of Environmental Quality can adjust the priority order for efficiency, project readiness, or environmental emergencies. Annual reports to legislative committees detail funding allocations and project modifications.
HB 112 increases penalties for repeat theft offenses by establishing a new felony classification for a fifth or subsequent conviction. It directly affects individuals convicted of a fifth or later theft-related crime, including shoplifting, larceny, or property theft under state or local laws. The bill imposes a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both for these offenses. This change takes effect on July 1, 2023, modifying existing theft penalty statutes to create a separate felony tier for repeat offenders.
HB 26 modifies Wyoming's school facilities funding process by allowing the legislature to appropriate a single sum for both design and construction phases of school projects, rather than separate appropriations. It clarifies that the state construction department must report budget modifications (like transfers between design/construction phases or contingency costs) to the select committee on school facilities, with changes requiring commission approval. The bill also permits up to 15% of total funds to be transferred between project phases with governor approval, while requiring detailed reporting of all budget adjustments. This affects Wyoming school districts, the state construction department, and the select committee, effective July 1, 2023.
HB 70 modifies Wyoming's legal definition of a "home-based educational program" under W.S. 21-4-101(a)(v). It specifies that such a program must be provided by a parent, legal guardian, or their designated person to a single child, and explicitly excludes programs serving more than one family unit. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not create new requirements or funding but clarifies what qualifies as a home-based program for regulatory purposes. This directly affects parents or guardians providing home education to their own child, excluding multi-family educational arrangements from this definition.
HB 28 increases the minimum cost threshold requiring Wyoming Community College Commission approval for capital construction projects from $100,000 to $250,000. It affects community colleges and the Commission by changing which projects need formal review before state funds can be used. The bill specifically revises approval requirements for new construction, renovations, and real property acquisitions exceeding $250,000 in market value. This procedural change, effective July 1, 2023, streamlines the approval process for smaller projects without altering funding levels or program requirements.
This bill (SF 2) extends the expiration date of Wyoming's existing Telecommunications Act from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2025. It amends two sections of law: changing the sunset date in W.S. 37-15-101(b) and updating the language around how the commission reviews telecommunications price benchmarks in W.S. 37-15-501(h). The key change is the delayed sunset, allowing the current telecommunications regulations to remain in effect for two additional years. This directly affects the state's telecommunications regulatory framework and entities operating under it.
SF 63 revises Wyoming's tax administration rules to give the Department of Revenue flexibility in handling certain taxes. It allows the department to waive or credit interest on mine product taxes as part of settlements or for valid reasons, directly affecting mining businesses and taxpayers. The bill also requires that any tax assessments or penalties from audits must be issued within one year of completing the audit. These changes aim to streamline tax enforcement and provide clearer timelines for taxpayers. The bill took effect July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's SF 122 extends temporary vehicle registration options for nonresident workers employed in the state. It allows nonresident employees to purchase a temporary permit ($50 per month, max 180 days) instead of full registration, provided their vehicle already displays valid out-of-state plates and insurance. The permit must be visibly displayed and replaces the need for standard registration fees, with collected funds going to county general funds. This directly affects nonresident workers driving vehicles registered in other states.
Wyoming's Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJ 7) is a symbolic resolution expressing legislative support for the relationship between Wyoming and Taiwan. It reaffirms Wyoming's commitment to strengthening economic ties, educational cooperation, and Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO. The resolution directs Wyoming's Secretary of State to send copies to U.S. officials, Wyoming's congressional delegation, Taiwan's leadership, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policy but formally states Wyoming's position.
HB 29 modifies Wyoming's community college funding formula by changing how distance education courses are counted. It eliminates the practice of counting distance education credit hours as full-time equivalents (weighted equivalency) when calculating funding allocations. The bill redefines "distance education class" to exclude courses that would otherwise be categorized as "level one, two, or three" based on course content. This change affects how Wyoming community colleges receive state funding for online and remote courses, effective July 1, 2023. The bill does not alter funding amounts but adjusts the calculation method for distance education credit hours.
This bill transfers oversight of court-supervised treatment programs from Wyoming's Department of Health to the Wyoming Supreme Court. It updates related statutes (including W.S. 5-12-101 and 7-13-304) to clarify the court's role in approving programs, setting requirements, and managing expenses. The change directly affects treatment programs, courts, and defendants participating in these programs by shifting administrative responsibility. Key mechanisms include new reporting requirements for the Supreme Court and updated rules for program approval and funding.
HB 91 sets minimum and maximum annual salary ranges for specific county officers in Wyoming, effective January 2, 2023. It directly affects county assessors, part-time county/prosecuting attorneys, county clerks, clerks of district court, sheriffs, and treasurers. The bill requires these officers to receive at least $10,000 per year but no more than the salary authorized for a district court judge (per W.S. 5-1-110). It also repeals outdated salary language in the existing statute.
