HB 245 removes the mandatory requirement for courts to order child support payments from parents when a child is placed in court-ordered custody (e.g., foster care or juvenile justice facilities). It directly affects parents of children in these placements and the child welfare department, which previously handled support enforcement. The bill eliminates two specific provisions: (1) the automatic court order for support, and (2) the requirement for non-employed parents to seek full-time work or complete community service instead of paying support. Courts now have discretion to decide whether to order support, and the department must establish support through a separate civil action if ordered.
This Wyoming bill prohibits state and local governments from enforcing "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs), which are court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access to prevent harm. It blocks the use of state funds or personnel to implement ERPOs and preempts any local laws conflicting with this prohibition. Violating this ban is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine. The bill cites constitutional rights - including the Second Amendment and due process protections - as justification for its provisions.
HB 287 creates designated "gaming districts" in Wyoming where casino-style gambling may occur, directly affecting gaming operators and counties meeting population requirements. The bill requires operators to have operated two or more gaming facilities in Wyoming for at least 10 years, limits districts to counties with a metropolitan area of 250,000+ people within 100 miles, and caps total districts at two statewide (one per county). It mandates that gaming revenue be remitted to the state, with specific rules for how funds are distributed, while prohibiting online wagering except for regulated sports betting. The law also defines key terms like "gaming activities" (excluding skill-based games and pari-mutuel events) and establishes licensing requirements for operators.
This constitutional amendment proposal (HJ 7) would modify Wyoming's Permanent Mineral Trust Fund (PWMTF) by requiring all investment earnings to be deposited into a separate earnings fund instead of the general fund. It clarifies that any investment or loan losses to the fund's principal must be restored ("made whole") by the Legislature, and specifies that earnings may be distributed or invested as determined by law. The bill directly affects how Wyoming manages public funds derived from mineral taxes, ensuring the trust's principal remains protected while providing clearer rules for handling earnings. This change aims to modernize the constitutional language governing the fund, which holds money from mineral taxes for current and future generations.
Wyoming's SF 171, the "Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act," prohibits financial institutions from using or disclosing payment card transaction data to identify lawful firearm or ammunition purchases. It bans assigning "firearms codes" (like special merchant category codes) that would allow banks or payment networks to track gun-related transactions, preventing such data from being shared with government entities. The law defines "protected financial information" as payment records linked to firearm codes and allows civil lawsuits if the ban is violated. It directly affects banks, payment processors, and gun retailers by restricting how they handle transaction data related to firearm sales within Wyoming.
Wyoming's HB 255 allows the Game and Fish Commission to formally designate tax-exempt nonprofits (501(c)(3) organizations) as "official nonprofit partners." These partners must include a commission member on their board (nonvoting), provide annual donor and spending reports, and focus on supporting department priorities. Partners may accept donations and manage funds for specific projects but cannot use public money, and the state will not be liable for their actions. The bill creates clear requirements for these partnerships and mandates rulemaking by the commission.
HB 221 requires prosecutors to either pursue domestic violence cases or provide written justification for dismissal, including supporting facts. It mandates law enforcement officers to submit detailed incident reports to prosecutors within 10 days and requires prosecutors to notify victims within 5 days about case status. The bill applies directly to domestic violence victims, law enforcement, and district attorneys in Wyoming. Key provisions ensure transparency in case decisions and streamline communication between agencies. The law took effect July 1, 2023.
Wyoming's HB 228 establishes a specific formula for compensating ranchers whose yearling cattle (12-24 months old) are damaged by trophy game animals like elk or deer. It requires the state department to use a compensation amount equal to 3.5 times the value of the yearling, unless research-based alternative formulas are developed for specific areas. This directly affects ranchers who report livestock damage by game animals and file claims under Wyoming's existing damage compensation system. The law applies to claims made on or after July 1, 2023, and standardizes the calculation method previously left to department discretion.
Wyoming's HB 263 automatically restores voting rights for nonviolent felons once they complete their full sentence, including probation, parole, and fines. It applies to Wyoming convictions completed after January 1, 2010, without requiring a separate application, and streamlines the process for out-of-state or federal nonviolent felony convictions. The bill repeals previous application requirements and takes effect July 1, 2023. This change specifically affects voting eligibility only - nonviolent felons remain ineligible for jury duty or public office under existing law.
HB 269 modifies Wyoming's workers' compensation law to allow hearing examiners to reimburse appointed attorneys for reasonable expenses and costs (beyond just fees) in contested cases. It removes the previous restriction that limited attorney fees to "a reasonable number of hours not to exceed the benefits at issue" in the case. This change directly affects workers' attorneys who represent claimants in contested hearings, enabling them to recover full documented costs without the prior benefit-based cap. The bill requires a verified itemization of all services for reimbursement requests and maintains existing rules about denying fees for frivolous claims. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 223 establishes a grant program using Wyoming Education Trust Fund revenues to provide financial assistance to preschool providers serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk students. The program offers grants of up to $50,000 annually for specific expenses like teacher salaries, facility leases, insurance, and parent training materials, with applications due by May 15 and funds distributed by October 1. Eligible providers include school districts, private non-profits, and for-profit organizations that meet federal TANF program criteria. The initiative is funded by a $50 million transfer from the public school foundation program to the trust fund, replacing an existing grant program.
HB 201 creates the Hathaway Fallen First Responder Scholarship, providing financial aid to children of Wyoming first responders who died while on duty. It directly affects students whose custodial parent or guardian was a Wyoming resident first responder (as defined by Wyoming law) killed in the line of duty, and who graduated from an accredited high school (in Wyoming or out-of-state). To qualify, students must have a minimum 2.50 high school GPA and score at or above the 43rd percentile on a national college entrance exam. The scholarship offers $1,680 per semester for full-time enrollment (12+ hours), prorated for fewer hours, and is funded through Wyoming's existing Hathaway scholarship program.
