Wyoming's SF 48 creates a property tax exemption for small business owners who own business property valued at $50,000 or less in each county they operate. Specifically, if a business owner's total business property (excluding personal/family use items) is worth $2,400 or less statewide, their business property in each county is exempt from taxation. The exemption applies to taxable personal property, such as equipment or inventory, but excludes property already exempt under other rules. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.
HB 214 allows Wyoming cities, towns, and counties to pay claims and demands using electronic payments or fund transfers, instead of physical checks or warrants. It updates existing laws to explicitly permit electronic methods while maintaining current requirements, such as requiring claim certification by a manager and approval by a governing body before payments over $50. The bill ensures electronic payments must still specify the purpose, be payable to specific recipients, and be documented in county payment registers, with effective implementation set for July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's SF 42 creates a new "resort hotel liquor license" category for hotels meeting specific requirements. To qualify, a resort hotel must have a minimum $10 million valuation (including land), include a restaurant, offer at least 35 short-term guest rooms, provide 12-hour daily dining, and have meeting space for 50+ people. The license requires an annual fee between $500 and $3,000, and licensees may not sell alcohol for off-premises consumption except via catering permits. This bill directly affects owners or lessees of large resort hotels seeking to serve alcohol on-site, with provisions taking effect July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's SF 120 (the Wyoming PRIME Act) allows small-scale producers to sell meat from their own livestock (cattle, sheep, swine, or goats) directly to consumers in Wyoming, provided the animals were raised, slaughtered on the producer's property or at a custom slaughter facility, and processed within the state. Producers must provide a clear written warning stating the meat hasn't been inspected, prohibit resale or donation by consumers, and avoid implying state approval. The law won't take effect until the governor certifies that federal law permits such sales, with a planned effective date of July 1, 2025, pending this federal action. This directly affects Wyoming producers of small-batch meat and their local end consumers.
Wyoming's HB 75 reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal mining from 6.5% to 6% effective July 1, 2025. The bill lowers both the constitutional portion (from 1.5% to 1%) and the statutory portion (from 5% to 4.5%) of the tax. This directly affects surface coal mining companies operating in Wyoming by decreasing their tax burden. The change modifies existing tax distribution rules outlined in Wyoming statutes but does not alter how the tax revenue is allocated to the mineral trust fund or severance tax account.
Wyoming's SF 96 (the "Wyoming Gold Act") requires the state treasurer to hold at least $10 million in physical gold and silver (specie) across all state accounts by January 2026, aiming to diversify investments and protect against economic risks. The bill also authorizes the treasurer to hire precious metals experts, adopt implementing rules by 2026, and conduct a study on using precious metals to boost economic security - including exploring if the state could accept gold/silver as payment. This directly affects the Wyoming State Treasurer’s office and its investment management. The bill does not make gold/silver legal tender but mandates specific holdings and a study, with key provisions effective January 2026.
Wyoming's HB 4 increases annual registration fees for snowmobiles: $50 for private resident use (up from $35), $150 for commercial use (up from $105), and creates a $25 permanent antique snowmobile registration. Antique snowmobiles (30+ years old) must be used only for organized events like parades or exhibitions, not general riding, and receive a distinctive decal. All fees collected - especially from antique and nonresident users - will fund snowmobile trail improvements through the Department of State Parks. The bill directly affects all snowmobile owners in Wyoming, including residents, nonresidents, and antique vehicle owners.
SF 88 authorizes $620,000 for Thunder Basin Habitat III (ecosystem restoration on 48,850 acres), $750,000 for Baggs Valley Headwaters III (vegetation restoration on 5,300 acres), $6.2 million for Kemmerer Highway 189 Migration (wildlife crossing structures), and $883,720 for Wind River Front Cheatgrass (invasive species management). The funding comes from Wyoming's Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Income Account and is designated for specific conservation projects benefiting wildlife habitats and migration corridors. Unused funds for any project will revert to the trust account by June 30, 2029.
This bill creates a new process for Wyoming property owners to request law enforcement assistance in removing unlawful occupants from residential properties. Owners or their authorized agents must submit a verified complaint detailing the occupant's unlawful presence (excluding family members, tenants, or those involved in pending lawsuits) and provide proof of ownership. Law enforcement must verify the claim before ordering the occupant to vacate immediately, using methods like hand-delivered notices or posted signs. The bill also imposes liability on owners for false claims and prohibits the use of fraudulent property documents.
HB 22 updates Wyoming law to include certified water and wastewater operators as official "emergency responders" for homeland security planning. It requires local governments to coordinate with these operators in developing their emergency response plans, ensuring water system continuity during crises. The bill amends two statutes: one mandating coordination in local homeland security plans (W.S. 19-13-108) and another expanding the definition of "emergency responders" (W.S. 35-9-152(a)(i)). This directly affects certified water/wastewater operators and local jurisdictions responsible for emergency planning. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill reduces the required minimum school year from 175 to 165 days for Wyoming public schools and mandates that the school year begin after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day, unless an alternative schedule is approved by the state board. School districts seeking alternative calendars must hold two public meetings before submitting proposals and annually evaluate their effectiveness. The bill also adjusts funding eligibility criteria, requiring districts to operate for at least 170 days (instead of 185) to qualify for full foundation account distribution. It applies to all Wyoming public school districts and takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the primary residence (including up to 25 acres of land) of certain veterans from property taxes. It directly affects veterans certified with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, and their surviving spouses who haven't remarried and keep the property as their primary residence. If approved by voters, the amendment would add this exemption to Wyoming's constitution, requiring the legislature to implement it through general law. The change would provide tax relief for eligible veterans and surviving spouses by removing property tax liability on their primary homes.
