Wyoming's HB 230 creates a task force to study interstate highway traffic and authorizes up to $250 million from the state mineral trust fund to provide loans for highway construction projects. It requires annual $50 million transfers from the legislative stabilization reserve fund starting in 2026 to repay these loans, with interest rates set by the state treasurer. The bill specifically directs funding for adding passing lanes on segments of U.S. Highway 20 (between Casper and Thermopolis) and expanding U.S. Highway 287 near Laramie to four lanes. These provisions directly affect Wyoming's transportation infrastructure and the state's budget allocation for highway projects.
HB 330 raises the estate value threshold for simplified probate procedures in Wyoming from $200,000 to $750,000. This change directly affects Wyoming residents and nonresidents with estates valued under $750,000 (after liens), allowing them to use streamlined processes without full court administration. Key provisions include enabling heirs to file affidavits for asset collection and summary distribution, and simplifying probate for nonresident estates with property in Wyoming under the new limit. The bill also clarifies rules for disclaimers of property interests. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Wyoming's HB 99 amends trespass laws to clarify that people do not commit criminal trespass or game/fish trespass when accidentally touching or passing through private land while traveling between two adjacent parcels they're authorized to access - specifically when the parcels share a common corner or are immediately connected. The bill directly affects landowners and individuals traveling across private property for legitimate access to adjacent parcels (e.g., ranchers moving between properties). It creates a clear exception for incidental contact during this specific travel, removing ambiguity about whether such movement violates trespass laws. The change applies only to travel between authorized parcels and does not permit hunting, fishing, or other activities on private land without permission. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 10 amends Wyoming's rules for small-scale mining operations (15 acres or less) that extract non-coal minerals like sand, gravel, and limestone. It increases reclamation bonding requirements: $2,000 per acre before July 2025 and $5,000 per acre after for most operations, with higher rates for quarries. The bill limits operations to five years unless extended via annual reports, restricts multiple same-mineral operations within six miles, and allows reduced reclamation if landowners plan to reuse the site. These changes directly affect small mining operators seeking to extract non-coal minerals on limited land.
Wyoming's SF 67 revises the long-term homeowner tax exemption by removing its expiration date (sunset) and clarifying eligibility rules. It requires homeowners aged 65+ who have paid residential property tax in Wyoming for 25+ years to reside in the property for at least six months annually to qualify. The exemption, which applies only to a primary residence, directly affects qualifying elderly homeowners with long-term property tax histories. The changes take effect for the 2026 tax year, as specified in Section 3 of the bill.
This bill authorizes Wyoming's legislature to initiate lawsuits in court to clarify or protect its interests regarding federal land management laws. It requires a majority vote from both legislative chambers or the management council to start such cases, with up to $75 million available from the legislative stabilization fund for litigation. The legislation specifically targets federal laws like the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act that affect land use within Wyoming. It cites Wyoming's constitutional "equal footing" status as justification for the legislature's standing to seek court rulings on these matters. The bill does not create new policies but establishes a legal process for the legislature to address federal land management interpretations.
SF 18 exempts Wyoming oil and gas producers from 3% of the severance tax (out of a total 6% rate) when producing oil and gas using enhanced recovery techniques that capture and reuse carbon dioxide (CO2) sourced within Wyoming. To qualify, producers must use carbon capture technology and submit an application, with the CO2 required to originate from within the state. The bill mandates annual reports to state committees on the exemption's usage and revenue impact. This directly affects producers using carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology for enhanced oil recovery.
Wyoming's SF 3 mandates separate hunting licenses and seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. This directly affects hunters of both species, requiring the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to establish distinct seasons and license rules for each deer type. The bill amends existing laws to create new licensing categories, including separate fee structures and preference point systems for nonresident hunters. These changes aim to manage each deer population more effectively through targeted hunting regulations.
HB 50 expands access to criminal identification and intelligence information to specific state agencies, including law enforcement, the parole board, corrections, homeland security (for defined purposes), designated agencies under W.S. 14-6-227, and family services. It requires these agencies to implement reasonable security measures to prevent unauthorized access, with security protocols tailored to each agency's specific use of the information. The bill modifies existing law (W.S. 9-1-627(c)) to formalize these access rules and security requirements. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 51 increases the maximum penalties municipal courts in Wyoming can impose for violations of city ordinances. It raises the maximum fine from $750 to $1,000 per offense and extends the maximum jail term from six months to one year. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of local ordinance violations (such as traffic tickets or noise complaints) handled in municipal courts. The changes apply to all municipal court cases involving city ordinances and take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill amends specific sections of Wyoming law (W.S. 5-6-201, 5-6-210, and 5-6-301) to reflect these updated penalty limits.
This bill requires Wyoming school districts to adopt policies banning student cell phone and smart watch use during instructional time, effective July 1, 2025. It specifically exempts emergency situations, staff authorization, students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, and health-related phone use authorized by medical providers. The policy must exclude basic health-monitoring or time-telling wearable devices. School boards must establish these policies by July 1, 2025, applying to all public K-12 schools. The bill directly affects students, school staff, and district administrators by changing classroom technology rules.
This bill establishes Wyoming's Imagination Library Program, providing free age-appropriate books monthly to children aged 0-5 in participating counties. It requires counties to contribute 50% of program costs to the state education department, which manages funds and matches state appropriations. The program, funded by a $320,000 state appropriation (effective July 2025), aims to foster early literacy through local county-based affiliate programs and public awareness campaigns. Families receive books at no cost, with the state education department coordinating nonprofit partnerships to administer the initiative statewide.
