HB 226 would have limited Wyoming cities and towns to collecting no more than two months of past due payments for trash, water, or sewer services from property owners when tenants reside on the property but the owner does not. This directly affects property owners who use municipal services but don't live there, and cities providing those services. The bill would have prohibited collecting more than two months' worth of overdue payments for these specific services, while leaving existing contracts unaffected. The bill died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.
Wyoming's HB 218 would designate the Teton County fairgrounds (approximately 26.09 acres) as the "Rylee McCollum Teton County Fairgrounds State Historic Site." The bill prohibits using the land for purposes other than the fairgrounds, western heritage events, agriculture, or public recreation - specifically blocking its sale, transfer, or modification for housing without legislative approval. This aims to protect the site, which hosts annual events like the Jackson Hole rodeo (70,000+ visitors) and county fair (15,000+ attendees), from further land loss due to development. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee in February 2023.
HB 53 creates an independent commission to review and recommend salary adjustments for key state officials, including the governor, legislators, judges, and state agency heads. The commission, appointed by the governor (3 members), chief justice (2), and legislative leaders (2), must meet twice per legislative term to consider factors like cost of living, market pay for similar roles, and attracting qualified candidates before submitting recommendations by December 1st of odd-numbered years. The bill appropriates $5,000 for commission travel and meal expenses through June 2024, with no direct salary changes established - only a process for future recommendations.
HB 254 creates new rules for nonresident fishing guides operating commercial boats in Wyoming. It requires these guides to obtain an annual $1,000 permit decal for their boats, submit application details including boat identification, and display the decal prominently. The bill also increases fees for nonresident fishing licenses and imposes penalties (including a low misdemeanor charge) for guides operating without the required decal. This directly affects nonresident guides offering paid fishing services in Wyoming, with the permit system taking effect January 1, 2025.
HB 173 requires law enforcement agencies to provide specific portions of personnel files to Wyoming's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) upon written request. This applies to peace officers, dispatchers, and correctional officers, focusing on file sections related to certification factors (like conduct or qualifications). The commission may not disclose these files to anyone else except as required by law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, and amends existing statutes to clarify this access requirement.
HB 130 creates a state grant program to fund county, city, and town law enforcement agencies in purchasing or training dogs to detect fentanyl. It allocates $4 million from the general fund for grants up to $300,000 per agency, with applications due by July 1, 2024. The Attorney General will administer the program, requiring agencies to apply and report on grant use by June 2025. The program expires December 31, 2024, with unspent funds reverting to the state.
HB 203 repeals two reserve accounts for Wyoming's Permanent Mineral Trust Fund (PMTF) and Common School Permanent Fund (CSPLF), eliminating their specific spending policies. It transfers funds previously held in these accounts to other designated state funds, simplifying the management of public funds. The bill removes outdated provisions related to these reserve structures and updates fund distribution rules. This change directly affects how Wyoming allocates excess investment earnings from these permanent funds.
This Wyoming bill would establish state law as the sole authority for regulating residential rental properties, preventing cities, towns, and counties from creating their own rules or fees. It prohibits local governments from requiring rental property registration, charging registration fees, or regulating ownership/leasing practices for properties rented for six months or more. The bill explicitly states it does not affect local zoning or land use regulations. However, the bill died in committee in February 2023 and did not become law.
HB 202 creates a Wyoming community college loan program to cover costs for students pursuing aviation degrees and commercial pilot certificates at Wyoming community colleges. It directly affects Wyoming residents or high school graduates enrolled in eligible aviation programs who commit to working as airline pilots in Wyoming for three years to avoid repaying the loan in cash. Key provisions include requiring applicants to seek federal aid first, limiting loans to tuition/certification costs minus other aid, and allowing debt forgiveness for undue hardship. The program is funded by a $1.5 million state appropriation for 2023-2026, with repayment options deferred for military service.
HB 220 prohibits schools and charter schools in Wyoming from using, displaying, or distributing pornographic or indecent materials that meet obscenity standards (defined as "sensitive materials" in the bill). It directly affects all public school districts, charter schools, and their instructional materials, excluding health, healthcare, or family and consumer sciences courses. Key provisions require school boards to ensure compliance, mandate annual reports to the education committee on complaints and resolutions, and direct the state board to create rules defining prohibited materials and handling violations. The bill does not restrict health-related instructional materials, which may be exempted by the state board.
HB 179 modifies Wyoming's medical education programs to prioritize training for rural healthcare needs. It requires universities to emphasize rural health care in medical curricula, create a Medical School Student Fund (using student payments and investments), and use fund income for relocation costs, rural training, and scholarships for students committing to practice in underserved areas. The bill directly affects medical students, Wyoming's higher education institutions, and rural communities facing healthcare shortages. Universities must report annual fund usage and program modifications to legislative committees by October 1 each year.
Wyoming's HB 135 allows cities and towns to designate abandoned or nuisance properties (vacant, deteriorated buildings causing harm) and provides tax credits for owners who improve them. Property owners who demolish or rehabilitate designated properties within two years (or new owners within five years) can receive a tax credit covering up to 50% of approved improvement costs. Cities may also assess fees to cover abatement costs for dangerous buildings or nuisances. The bill creates new rules for tax credit eligibility and requires city approval of expenditures before credit application, effective July 1, 2023.
