HB 48 would allow Wyoming counties, cities, and towns to establish tourism improvement districts that fund tourism activities through business assessments. It requires at least 50% of businesses in a proposed district to sign a petition supporting the district and its assessment rates before local governments can create it. Businesses within these districts would pay assessments to fund specific tourism activities like marketing, special events, and destination improvements that directly benefit their operations. The bill outlines procedures for public hearings, written objections from business owners, and requirements for district plans and assessment calculations.
Wyoming's SF 88 prohibits employers, government entities, and healthcare providers from denying services, employment, education, or healthcare based on a person's COVID-19 or mRNA vaccination status. The bill also bans asking about vaccination status to access public services or facilities. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by up to $5,000 fines or five years in prison, and affected individuals can pursue civil lawsuits for damages. The law specifically overrides existing immunity protections for healthcare providers under certain circumstances. It applies to all claims accruing after its effective date.
This constitutional amendment (HJ 3) proposes changing Wyoming's requirement for reapportioning the legislature after the federal census. It would move the deadline for reapportionment from "December 10" to allow primary elections to be held in May, with runoff elections possible afterward if needed. The amendment would require the legislature to call a special session (up to 10 working days) if reapportionment is needed to meet this new timeline. It directly affects how Wyoming's legislature schedules elections and reapportions seats following census data. The bill failed to advance after introduction in February 2022.
SF 94 prohibits Wyoming public officials and government agencies from enforcing federal mandates requiring COVID-19 vaccinations or restricting alternative treatments (such as nasal sprays or pills). It bans public schools, services, and programs from making vaccination a condition for participation or employment. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties, termination from public jobs, and loss of retirement benefits for officials. Corporations enforcing such mandates would forfeit their right to operate in Wyoming. The bill failed to pass in 2022.
HB 84 would have required the University of Wyoming to meet specific student-athlete residency targets before the state treasurer could match private donations to its athletics program. Starting July 1, 2024, the university needed at least 30% of its NCAA Division I athletes to be Wyoming high school or community college graduates, increasing to 40% by 2026 and 50% by 2028. This amendment aimed to prioritize funding for athletes with Wyoming roots. The bill failed its introduction in the Wyoming House on February 17, 2022, with a 35-24 vote.
HB 132 creates a new standing committee called the "Federal Review Committee" within Wyoming's legislature. This committee would review all federal laws, regulations, and actions to determine if they infringe on Wyoming's sovereignty or violate the U.S. Constitution as defined during ratification debates. The committee must disregard U.S. Supreme Court interpretations when making these determinations and would sponsor legislation based on its findings. The bill directly affects the Wyoming legislature by establishing this new committee with specific constitutional review powers.
HB 127 proposed appropriating $10 million from Wyoming's general fund to the Department of Transportation for planning and constructing alternate routes parallel to I-80 in Sweetwater County. The bill specifically targeted communities impacted by mineral development (mining traffic causing road congestion) to improve connectivity between municipalities. Funds were required to be spent by June 30, 2026, with unspent amounts reverting to the state. The bill failed to pass in the House committee on February 17, 2022, with a 28-31 vote.
Wyoming's HB 97 bans public school teachers and administrators (K-12) from using public funds to teach specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, or national origin. It prohibits instruction that suggests any group is inherently superior/inferior, blames individuals for past actions of others, or labels people as "racist" based on identity. The bill allows teaching historical context, such as oppression of groups or primary sources, when presented holistically. Violators face disciplinary action, civil fines up to $5,000 per violation, and lawsuits by affected individuals. The law explicitly excludes training on sexual harassment or abuse recognition.
This bill requires Wyoming state agencies to obtain both written governor approval and explicit legislative approval before accepting or spending federal funds that exceed amounts previously approved by the legislature. It mandates written notice to all legislators for any request involving over $1 million in such funds, with the legislature having 10 days to decide. The law applies to all federal funds accepted after its effective date and prevents state payments if approval isn't secured, ensuring no disbursement occurs without legislative consent. This directly affects state agencies managing federal grants and requires transparency in budget decisions involving federal revenue.
HB 41 creates a new option for Wyoming cities and towns to form "special taxation zones" that can impose an additional local sales tax, up to a total of 1% combined with existing taxes. The bill requires voter approval through a public election with clear ballot language specifying tax purposes, and limits the tax rate to match existing municipal tax collections. Revenue from this tax can fund general purposes or specific projects, with separate voter approval needed for each purpose. The tax must terminate within 90 days if related county taxes end, and overlapping zones are prohibited. This bill modifies Wyoming's tax code to establish this new local revenue mechanism.
HB 114 amends Wyoming's fee structure for fire protection and electrical safety inspections, directly affecting contractors, property owners, and developers who pay these fees for building projects. It establishes new, inflation-adjusted fee limits based on project cost ranges (e.g., $16.03 for projects under $500, up to $3,824.33 for projects over $1 million) and adjusts electrical inspection fees (e.g., $50 plus $1.10 per ampere for residential units). The bill specifies that 60% of electrical inspection fees fund additional state electrical inspectors, while 40% goes to the general fund for department operations. The bill was proposed in 2022 but failed committee passage and was not enacted.
This bill requires the state of Wyoming to annually value and assess property owned by independent power producers at fair market value for tax purposes. It directly affects electricity generation and transmission facilities operating for wholesale use, shifting this responsibility from local governments to the state. The key mechanism adds a new provision to tax law specifying that the state department must handle these valuations each year. The bill was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2022, but failed committee passage in February 2022.
