HJ 12 is a Wyoming legislative joint resolution requesting Congress to increase the state's Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), which determines federal Medicaid funding. The resolution asks Congress to raise Wyoming's current minimum 50% FMAP rate - below neighboring states - by considering factors like Wyoming's high poverty rates, healthcare costs, rural access challenges, and unique income statistics. It specifically directs Wyoming's congressional delegation to seek policy changes for more equitable reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers. This procedural resolution does not change law but formally requests federal action to improve Medicaid funding for Wyoming's low-income residents and healthcare providers.
HB 264 appropriates $520,000 from the general fund to create a mining-themed mural in the Wyoming State Capitol's House chamber, specifically depicting the history of mining in Wyoming. The bill requires the mural to match the style of existing Allen True murals in the chamber and mandates that funds be used solely for planning, design, and painting the artwork. It establishes a selection committee (including House members and non-legislative experts) to choose an artist and requires approval from the state building commission before installation. The bill is procedural, not a policy change, and funds cannot be diverted or expired before mural completion.
HB 285 requires hunters using private land for antelope, deer, or elk hunting to deliver a landowner coupon to the landowner upon harvest or at the end of a hunt without harvest (based on where the majority of the hunt occurred). Landowners can redeem these coupons by submitting them with an affidavit by March 1 to receive $16 per coupon from the state. The bill also allows landowners to redirect their $16 payment to the Animal Damage Management Board instead of receiving it directly. This amendment clarifies the existing landowner coupon process and adds a payment redirection option for Wyoming landowners.
HB 215 creates a property tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners who are either 65+ years old or honorably discharged veterans, provided they have lived in their primary residence for at least 15 years. To qualify, residents must file a signed annual statement by March 1 with their county assessor and confirm ongoing eligibility by May 4 each year. The exemption applies only to the primary residence and requires proof of veteran status through military separation documents showing an honorable discharge. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, and directly affects qualifying elderly residents and veterans in Wyoming.
HB 170 establishes a spending policy for Wyoming's Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account, limiting annual withdrawals to 5% of the trust's five-year average market value (phased in over 2024-2028). It also modifies how funds flow to the Wyoming's Tomorrow Scholarship endowment, requiring transfers back to the endowment when the scholarship expenditure account exceeds 9% of its five-year average market value. The bill directly affects state financial management of these two trust funds, ensuring spending aligns with long-term fund values. Key mechanisms include the phased calculation method for the wildlife trust's spending limit and the 9% threshold for scholarship fund transfers.
HB 256 would have provided a temporary property tax reduction for Wyoming property owners during the 2023 tax year. It offered a 33.33% reduction for most properties and a 16.67% reduction for industrial properties, as defined in existing law. The tax relief applied only to 2023 taxes and would have expired on June 30, 2024, with no permanent change to tax rates. This bill specifically affected property owners paying ad valorem taxes, including those with mineral production properties.
HB 241 prohibits peace officers (police) from having sexual contact with individuals they are arresting, detaining, or maintaining in custody. It amends Wyoming law to create a specific criminal offense for such conduct under sexual assault in the second degree (W.S. 6-2-303(a)(x)). The bill explicitly states that marriage or consent cannot be used as a defense in these cases. This law applies directly to law enforcement officers and people in their custody, effective July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's HB 166 creates a sales tax exemption for lodging services provided by licensed guides or outfitters. Specifically, it removes the state sales tax on temporary lodging like sleeping accommodations, tent placements, snow shelters, base camps, and other temporary shelters offered by businesses holding a guide or outfitter license under Wyoming law. This exemption applies to services distributed through the state's tax system (W.S. 39-15-211) and aims to support these tourism-related businesses as an economic incentive. The bill took effect on July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's HB 232 regulates commercially guided fishing operations by requiring outfitters to obtain a separate license and registration sticker for each fishing boat they operate. The bill authorizes the Game and Fish Commission to set daily limits on the number of such boats in specific river sections (like the Snake or Wind River drainages), after holding public hearings. It updates definitions to clarify that "commercially guided fishing boat" means a boat operated by an outfitter, and modifies licensing rules for outfitters and the state board of guides. The changes affect outfitters providing fishing guide services, with new rules effective July 1, 2023.
HB 283 amends Wyoming's obscenity law to create a specific exception for educational and library activities. It allows schools, colleges, universities, museums, and public libraries to produce, possess, or share obscene material as part of their educational work, provided the activity follows policies approved by the organization's elected governing body. The bill requires that these policies align with community standards and are formally adopted by the governing body. This exception applies to the offense of "promoting obscenity" but does not change the definition of obscenity itself. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee in February 2023 without becoming law.
HB 157 sets specific rules for Wyoming county commissioners to dissolve county-created boards or districts. It requires commissioners to provide 30 days' written notice to affected boards, hold a public meeting for input, and only dissolve boards for five clear reasons: the original purpose no longer exists, a majority of board members votes to dissolve, the board neglected duties, engaged in misconduct, or misused public funds. This directly affects county boards and districts created under Wyoming law, giving them procedural protections before dissolution. The bill amends existing law to standardize these requirements, effective July 1, 2023.
SF 150 allows individuals with valid enhanced concealed carry permits to carry concealed firearms on public areas of Wyoming's state capitol grounds, including the connection to the Herschler building. It requires permit holders to notify the Wyoming State Highway Patrol at least 24 hours before entering the capitol with a firearm and restricts carrying to public areas only, excluding private or restricted spaces. The law would take effect on July 1, 2023, but only if Senate File 149 (a separate bill) is enacted. This bill does not change general concealed carry laws outside the capitol grounds.
