This bill (SF 75) clarifies how county coroners handle property found on deceased individuals when no personal representative or next of kin claims it. It requires coroners to release low-value personal items ($50 or less) or essential items to next of kin, but if unclaimed after a reasonable time, the property must be sold at public auction or through county-approved methods. Proceeds first cover burial expenses as specified in the law, with any remaining funds deposited into the county’s general fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects coroners, counties, and families of unclaimed decedents.
Wyoming's SF 61 clarifies that carbon dioxide (CO₂) is not considered pollution for the purpose of a property tax exemption. The bill amends a tax code section to explicitly exclude CO₂ from the definition of pollution that qualifies for the exemption, which applies to property used for controlling air, water, or land pollution. This change affects property owners who previously might have claimed tax exemptions for CO₂-related pollution control systems, now making those systems ineligible. The exemption remains available for other pollution control methods, and the Department of Revenue must create rules to implement the change, effective January 1, 2026.
This bill clarifies that park rangers, superintendents, and assistant superintendents at Wyoming state parks, recreation areas, historic sites, and archeological sites are defined as "peace officers" under state law. It specifies they may exercise authority within these sites or assist other law enforcement officers when requested. The change applies to all such personnel who have completed required training under Wyoming Statute 9-1-701 through 9-1-707. This update ensures clear legal authority for park staff to perform their duties and collaborate with other officers without expanding existing powers.
HB 235 creates a new categorical grant program to fund career and technical education (CTE) supplies, materials, and equipment for Wyoming public school districts. It provides funding calculated as $14,184.68 per full-time equivalent CTE teacher (based on district reports from the prior year), paid by February 15 of each school year. Funds must be used exclusively for CTE program supplies/equipment and cannot replace existing education funding. School districts must apply annually, report expenditures, and comply with department of education rules.
Wyoming's SF 98 requires candidates for school board trustee to have their political party affiliation printed on general election ballots. This applies directly to school board trustee candidates and modifies ballot requirements for nonpartisan offices. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to create implementing rules and takes effect July 1, 2025. It does not change election rules for other offices but specifically adds party labels to school board candidate ballots.
Wyoming's SF 23 expands who can approve handicap placards by adding advanced practice registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and optometrists to the list of healthcare providers authorized to issue the required letters for applicants. This directly affects individuals with disabilities needing placards, as they can now seek approval from a wider range of licensed medical professionals. The bill modifies existing law to include these providers in the eligibility criteria, ensuring their letters meet the same requirements as physician approvals. It does not change the placard display rules or expiration process but streamlines the application pathway by broadening provider options. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
HB 82 sets clear timelines for health insurers to process provider credentialing applications. Insurers must notify applicants within 7 days of receiving an application and complete the review within 60 days (pausing if applications are incomplete), with written outcomes required. It mandates reimbursement for covered services starting from when the application was received, if a provider becomes credentialed before services are provided. Dental and vision insurers are exempt from using a uniform application form. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all health insurance carriers in Wyoming.
Wyoming's SF 25 establishes an electronic system for processing vehicle titles and liens, requiring dealers, lenders, lienholders, and counties to use this system instead of paper records. The system handles electronic processing of title applications, lien notations, security interest releases, and sales tax payments for motor vehicles. Mobile homes are explicitly exempt from this requirement, while owners not in the vehicle financing business may still choose paper titles through county clerks. This replaces outdated paper-based procedures with a centralized electronic platform for vehicle title management.
Wyoming's SF 20 establishes new bonding options for oil and gas operators to ensure financial responsibility for plugging abandoned wells and reclamation. It creates a voluntary bonding pool where operators in good standing can participate, funded by a future assessment (starting at 0 mills in 2025-2030, then up to $0.0005 per dollar of oil/gas value after 2030). Funds collected will be used exclusively for well plugging, reclamation, and bond forfeiture costs, separate from other conservation funds. The bill directly affects all Wyoming oil and gas operators required to maintain bonds under state law.
HB 61 amends Wyoming's state land leasing rules to give current leaseholders a preferred right to renew their leases. It directly affects individuals or entities holding state land leases who have paid rent on time and not violated lease terms. The bill requires these lessees to meet the highest bid from other qualified applicants, but the bid cannot be below the minimum fair market value (determined by the board) and must not exceed 120% of the previous year's local fair market value. The law takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Wyoming's SF 63 allows property owners adjacent to state lands (without a lease) to build legal partition fences along those boundaries. The state lands office will cover half the construction cost, and both parties share maintenance costs based on their interest in the fence. The bill requires the state lands office to create implementing rules and takes effect July 1, 2025, except for rulemaking and effective date provisions that take effect immediately upon enactment. This directly affects landowners bordering state lands and the state lands office.
HB 166 requires Wyoming's state auditor to publish detailed vendor payment information on the official state auditor website within 30 days of each payment. It directly affects all state agencies making vendor payments by mandating the public posting of payment dates, vendor names, agencies involved, amounts, and payment descriptions. The law specifies that this information must remain online for at least five years, applying to all payments made on or after July 1, 2025. The bill aims to increase transparency in state spending without altering existing procurement processes.
