Wyoming's HB 153 creates a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial vehicles that are 15 years old or older. Owners pay a one-time fee (including an $87.50 state admin fee plus three times the standard annual registration fee) to replace annual renewal, receiving permanent license plates marked "Permanent" with no expiration date. This change applies only to qualifying vehicles owned by individuals, not commercial fleets, and permanently registered vehicles cannot be transferred to new owners - new owners must pay full registration fees. The bill modifies existing registration statutes to implement this system while maintaining annual renewal requirements for all other vehicles.
HB 250 defines "person" in Wyoming law to mean living human beings possessing at least one biological function (e.g., heart, brain, or respiratory activity). It prohibits health care decisions harming these functions except in medical emergencies to save a pregnant woman's life or when discontinuing life-sustaining treatment with documented no chance of recovery. The bill directly affects medical providers, patients, and families making health care decisions, requiring Wyoming Board of Medicine review for certain exceptions. It excludes the Wyoming Health Care Decisions Act and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 339 prevents homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Wyoming from banning campaign signs on members' property, directly affecting HOAs and homeowners. The bill allows HOAs to set limited rules - such as restricting sign size (max 4x6 feet), limiting one sign per candidate, and setting timing (90 days before primaries to 30 days after general elections) - but prohibits outright bans on campaign signs. It defines "homeowners' association" broadly to cover most residential property groups and adds penalties for violations, making noncompliance a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 274 prohibits students assigned male at birth from competing on women's sports teams at Wyoming schools and colleges, affecting high school and higher education athletic programs. It expands existing rules to include institutions of higher education, creates liability for government entities that violate the prohibition through negligent or intentional acts, and establishes private lawsuits for harmed students or schools. The bill adds whistleblower protections for employees reporting violations and removes immunity for entities that retaliate against those who report or pursue legal action under the law. It also sets a three-year statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 265, the "Defend the Guard Act," prohibits the Wyoming National Guard from being deployed into active combat without a formal U.S. Congress declaration of war or specific constitutional authorization under Article I, Section 8. It directly affects Wyoming National Guard members and units by requiring the governor to block such deployments. The law allows Title 32 deployments for domestic civil support missions within U.S. territories but explicitly restricts combat-related federal service. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 288 allows cities, towns, counties, or school districts in Wyoming to directly serve as the governing board for public recreation systems (like parks and facilities) instead of appointing a separate board. If a local government acts as the board, it is exempt from certain appointment rules under existing law. The bill also requires joint recreation systems (managed by multiple governments) to include at least one representative from each participating entity. It takes effect on July 1, 2025. (Bill: HB 288)
HB 110 requires nonresidents applying for a Wyoming trapping license to provide two specific documents: a notarized affidavit confirming their state of residence and proof that their home state issues similar trapping licenses to Wyoming residents. This bill directly affects nonresidents seeking to trap in Wyoming, ensuring reciprocity by verifying that their state permits Wyoming residents to trap the same species. The key change adds these verification steps to the application process, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter trapping regulations but modifies licensing eligibility requirements.
HB 102 changes Wyoming's Attorney General from a governor-appointed position to a statewide elected office starting in the 2026 general election. It establishes a four-year term, sets the salary, and creates rules for filling vacancies, making the Attorney General a state-elected official like the governor and other top state officers. The bill also updates ethics laws and other statutes to apply to the elected Attorney General, requiring them to be a licensed attorney with four years of practice. This directly affects Wyoming voters, who will elect the Attorney General beginning in 2026, and the Attorney General’s office, which will now operate under elected official rules.
HB 328 sets a fixed 8.3% taxable value rate for owner-occupied primary residences in Wyoming, while maintaining a 9.5% rate for all other property types. It directly affects homeowners who live in their primary residence for at least six months annually, clarifying that this includes single-family homes, condos, mobile homes, and trailers used as primary homes. The bill defines "owner occupied primary residence" and "residential real property" (including up to 35 acres of associated land) to ensure consistent tax application. This change will take effect for property taxes beginning in 2025.
HB 130 creates a property tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners, providing a 50% reduction on the first $200,000 of a primary residence's value (e.g., a $300,000 home would have $100,000 exempt). It applies to single-family homes where owners live at least 8 months yearly (including military members with service-related absences), directly affecting homeowners who qualify. The state will reimburse local governments for lost tax revenue using a $176 million appropriation from the general fund, with payments distributed to counties and school districts. The exemption expires after the 2026 tax year, ending January 1, 2027.
Wyoming's HB 101 creates a state-funded forest health grant program administered by the state forester. The program provides grants covering up to 75% of eligible forest health project costs (e.g., wildfire risk reduction, water quality improvement, or habitat restoration) on state, local, or private land, requiring matching funds for the remainder. It establishes a dedicated account for these grants, mandates attorney general approval for all grants, and requires annual reporting to a legislative committee. The program is funded with $3 million from the state general fund and expires on July 1, 2029, with unspent funds either returned to donors or reverted to state funds.
HB 248 prohibits Wyoming's governor from authorizing increases to legislative appropriations from the public school foundation program account, except to ensure sufficient funds are available to cover the foundation program as defined by state law for each school district. This bill directly affects the governor's budget authority and school districts relying on foundation program funding. The key mechanism is a new restriction on executive actions regarding school funding adjustments, with the exception only allowing increases necessary to maintain the program's full funding level. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
