HB 239, the Reproductive Freedom Act, establishes that Wyoming residents have the right to abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb (viability) or to protect the person's life or health, prohibiting state interference with this right. It defines key terms like "abortion" and "viability," and specifies that unauthorized abortions (outside these limits) are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine. The bill also protects healthcare providers’ professional judgment on viability or health risks, allows religious or ethical objections to participating in abortions without discrimination, and requires state-funded pregnancy programs to provide equivalent information about abortion options. It directly affects all Wyoming residents seeking abortion care, healthcare providers, and state programs offering reproductive services.
Wyoming HB 272 creates a state housing investment program to address the critical shortage of affordable housing. It establishes a dedicated account funded by annual transfers, allocating 50% of funds to nonprofit organizations for new construction, rehabilitation, transitional housing, homebuyer assistance, and rental vouchers. Another 45% is reserved for loans to Wyoming residents or businesses for similar housing projects, with zero percent interest for nonprofits and capped interest rates for businesses. The program includes reporting requirements, a 1% administrative cost limit, and expires after a set period. It directly affects housing providers and residents seeking affordable housing options in Wyoming.
HB 105 amends Wyoming's water law to establish due process requirements before the state engineer issues an emergency order to breach a dam or diversion system. It requires the state engineer to first determine if alternatives exist, hold a public meeting in the affected area (even after an order is issued), and notify affected water rights holders and landowners about liability risks before proceeding, unless an immediate danger requires action within 10 days. The bill directly affects dam owners, water rights holders, and communities near dams by adding transparency and public input steps to emergency breach decisions. It is procedural in nature, focusing on process rather than substantive policy changes, and applies to all such orders issued after the bill's effective date.
This bill requires Wyoming school districts to ensure high school students (grades 9-12) can access at least 12 post-secondary credit hours through partnerships with accredited colleges or universities. It directly affects public high school students and school district boards, mandating they collaborate with post-secondary institutions to make these options "reasonably accessible." The key provision specifies that districts must guarantee access to these credits as part of standard high school programming, without adding new costs to students. The requirement becomes effective July 1, 2025.
This bill removes a provision that allowed Wyoming's attorney general to void ballot initiatives if they were deemed substantially similar to existing laws. It directly affects citizens and groups submitting initiative petitions, ensuring their proposals cannot be blocked solely on this grounds. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, streamlining the process for placing initiatives on the ballot without the duplicate law review.
HB 127 amends Wyoming law to create a legal defense for perpetrators charged with violating a domestic violence protection order. Specifically, if a victim requests the perpetrator to violate the order, that request becomes an "affirmative defense" in court. This change directly affects individuals accused of breaching protection orders in domestic violence cases. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing protections for victims.
HB 187 amends Wyoming's theft penalties to increase sentencing for certain offenses. It raises the felony threshold for most property theft from $500 to $1,000 (while keeping firearms/horses at $500), and increases misdemeanor penalties for lower-value thefts. Repeat offenders (fifth or subsequent theft convictions) face felony charges with up to 10 years in prison, $10,000 fines, or both. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of theft, shoplifting, or related property crimes under Wyoming law. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 298 establishes a centralized electronic notice system managed by Wyoming's Secretary of State, replacing newspaper publication for legal and public government notices. It requires all governmental entities to publish notices online by January 1, 2030, instead of in newspapers, with notices retained for seven years and a $10 fee for posting. The system allows public subscription for notice alerts and satisfies all existing newspaper publication requirements under state law. This directly affects all state and local government bodies that currently publish notices in newspapers, including agencies handling property sales, meetings, and public hearings. The bill amends numerous existing statutes to align with this electronic publishing standard.
HB 66 allows Wyoming cities and towns to designate properties as "abandoned" (vacant >6 months) or "nuisance" (dangerous/neglected) for cleanup purposes. Property owners who demolish or repair such designated properties within 2 years (or new buyers within 5 years) can receive tax credits covering up to 50% of demolition costs or 100% of repair costs, subject to city approval. Cities may also assess fees to cover abatement costs for dangerous properties. The bill limits designations by city size (e.g., small cities max 3 properties) and requires owners to submit proof of work for tax credit eligibility. (Bill: HB 66, §15-9-301)
HB 13 transfers Wyoming's Integrated Test Center from state administration to the University of Wyoming's School of Energy Resources, including all property, funds, and ongoing obligations. The bill establishes the University as the governing body for the center, requiring it to operate a facility focused on researching carbon capture, sequestration, and emissions management. It mandates annual reports to state committees detailing the center's research activities, economic benefits, and facility occupancy. The law also specifies leasing rules for the facility and requires all agreements to retain state sovereign immunity.
HB 67 requires Wyoming's state treasurer to invest up to $60 million from the permanent mineral trust fund into bonds issued by the Wyoming Community Development Authority. These bonds would finance mortgage loans for veterans and first-time homebuyers at a rate 2% below standard market rates. The bill exempts this investment from the usual $1 billion cap on state fund allocations and includes a sunset provision, ending the requirement on July 1, 2028. This legislation directly affects eligible homebuyers through lower mortgage costs, with no further action taken as the bill remains pending.
HB 70 increases the cost thresholds requiring competitive bidding for irrigation districts in Wyoming. It raises the minimum cost for mandatory bidding from $7,500 to $75,000 for general work and from $1,000 to $20,000 for construction projects or material purchases. The bill mandates that districts advertise bids in local newspapers for three consecutive issues with at least 20 days between publications, detailing the work and bid submission requirements. This applies to all irrigation district contracts exceeding these new thresholds, effective July 1, 2025. The change directly affects Wyoming's irrigation districts when managing contracts above these cost levels.
