HB 92 creates a Wyoming film production rebate program administered by the Wyoming Tourism Board to support economic development. It offers monetary rebates (up to 30% for Tier 1) to film and digital production companies filming in Wyoming, covering qualified local costs like set construction, food, lodging, and below-the-line wages paid to Wyoming residents. To qualify, productions must hire Wyoming residents, maintain proper records, remain in good standing with workforce services, and include branded Wyoming recognition. The program aims to boost local jobs, tourism, and the state as a filming destination, with rebates limited to expenditures made within Wyoming for eligible productions.
HB 91 creates a legal shield protecting Wyoming journalists from being forced to disclose news sources or information gathered in their professional work. It applies to all media (newspapers, TV, online outlets) covering public-interest topics like local events or community welfare. The law blocks courts from punishing journalists for refusing disclosure - no fines, jail, or contempt citations - except when there’s an imminent risk of death/harm or in specific defamation cases where the information is needed for the claim. Journalists can assert this protection without proving its validity upfront, but they must still meet the law’s criteria for coverage.
HB 248 clarifies and updates Wyoming's vital records system by defining key terms (like "vital records" to explicitly include related books and "local official" to cover county clerks/coroners) and setting specific requirements. It mandates medical coroners certify deaths within 72 hours of notification, requires marriage certificates registered over one year late to be marked "Delayed," and directs the Department of Health to create implementing rules. The bill directly affects county officials handling birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, ensuring clearer procedures for registration, certification, and preservation. It removes outdated language but does not create new benefits or penalties, focusing solely on procedural clarity for existing record-keeping processes.
Wyoming's HB 163 creates refunds for oil, gas, and coal producers on federal mineral estates when federal royalty rates increase. Starting January 1, 2024, eligible producers (on a per-property basis) receive refunds equal to 75% of the increased federal royalty impact, calculated using the state's share under federal law. Producers must apply annually by July 1 to receive refunds, which are funded from state severance tax distributions. The bill specifies the refund calculation method and distribution process without changing existing tax rates.
HB 189 prevents homeowners associations (HOAs) in Wyoming from banning political campaign signs on members' property. It directly affects HOA members and associations by requiring them to allow such signs indoors or outdoors, with specific exceptions. Key provisions allow HOAs to set reasonable rules for sign size (max 4x6 feet), placement (ground-mounted only), timing (90 days before primaries to 30 days after general elections), and to prohibit signs attached to vehicles or that threaten safety. The law takes effect July 1, 2023, and violations could result in misdemeanor penalties.
HB 231 modifies Wyoming's public defender funding formula by removing federal funds from the calculation of the state public defender budget. This means the 85% state share (determined by the total budget) will no longer include federal funds that the state receives. As a result, counties will pay a larger portion of the state's required contribution toward public defender services. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law, altering how state and county funding responsibilities are determined.
Wyoming's SF 175 requires all public school districts, the University of Wyoming, and community colleges to adopt written policies prohibiting hazing. These policies must define hazing (as intentional acts causing harm or embarrassment for group membership), include reporting procedures (with anonymous options), specify consequences for violations, and protect against retaliation for reporting. The law mandates that school districts create these policies by July 1, 2024, with the state education department developing model guidelines by November 2023. It directly affects students, staff, and school communities by establishing clear standards to prevent hazing in educational settings.
Wyoming's HB 247 prohibits the intentional waste of edible portions from trophy game animals (like elk or deer) and bans possessing parts of wasted animals. It requires hunters to transport and properly care for carcasses within 48 hours of harvest, and forbids abandoning meat at processing plants for more than 45 days without agreement. Processing plants must report abandoned meat to wildlife authorities, and confiscated meat may be sold to cover storage costs after a conviction. The bill directly affects hunters and meat processing facilities, taking effect July 1, 2023.
HB 235 would have required Wyoming school district board trustees to be sworn in and begin serving their duties on the same day as their election, replacing the current requirement that allowed them until December 1st or within 10 days of notification. This change would directly affect newly elected or appointed school board members across all Wyoming school districts. The bill amended Wyoming Statute 21-3-106 to eliminate the existing deadline for taking the oath. The bill was introduced in January 2023 but died in committee in February 2023 and never became law.
This Wyoming bill grants the state a "right of first refusal" for property owners selling to the federal government. Property owners must notify the state (via the Director of State Lands) 45 days before selling to the U.S. or federal agencies, including the sale price. The state has 30 days to decide whether to purchase the property at the same price offered by the federal government, using existing funds. If purchased, the land becomes state property managed by the Board of Land Commissioners.
HB 212 establishes a new standing committee on federal review in Wyoming's legislature, directly affecting state lawmakers by creating a dedicated body to monitor federal actions. The committee must review all federal laws, regulations, and executive orders to assess whether they infringe on Wyoming's sovereignty or violate the U.S. Constitution's enumerated powers, without considering Supreme Court interpretations of those actions. This procedural bill creates a formal mechanism for the legislature to evaluate federal overreach and potentially sponsor related legislation, effective immediately upon enactment.
Wyoming's HJ 10 is a joint resolution asking Congress to propose a constitutional amendment requiring public identification of who funds political ads and limiting corporate spending in elections. It specifically seeks to allow states and Congress to identify the natural person sources behind campaign contributions and restrict or ban spending by corporations or non-human entities. The resolution exempts groups composed of natural persons that publicly disclose their members and donors. This is a symbolic request to Congress, not a law, and it died in committee without moving forward.
