2020/Summaries/HB0009.pdf
2020/Summaries/HB0039.pdf
2020/Summaries/HB0007.pdf
2020/Summaries/HB0036.pdf
2020/Summaries/SF0004.pdf
2020/Summaries/HB0136.pdf
Wyoming's SF 156, the Medical Digital Innovation Sandbox Act, creates a time-limited testing environment for new medical digital tools like apps or software that help diagnose or monitor health conditions. It allows developers to temporarily bypass certain health licensing rules (covering 19 professions including doctors, nurses, and dentists) if they apply to the Department of Health and meet safety standards. To participate, applicants must pay a $500 fee, undergo criminal background checks, post a consumer protection bond, and submit detailed safety plans for review within 90 days. The sandbox does not exempt developers from criminal liability or civil claims, and the Department of Health can refer violations to law enforcement.
HB 308 modernizes Wyoming's public school funding system by adjusting how mineral royalties, severance taxes, and other revenue streams are allocated. It requires up to $8 million annually from mineral royalties (for fiscal years 2019-2020) to fund school capital construction projects, while gradually reducing the annual spending rate from the common school account from 5% to 4.5% of its five-year average value over time. The bill also allows the state treasurer to use the common school account to make interfund loans to the school foundation program when dedicated revenues are delayed, ensuring timely payments to school districts. These changes directly affect all Wyoming public school districts by altering the flow of state funds for operations, capital projects, and transportation services.
HB 148 requires Wyoming's five elected state officials and all legislators to annually disclose contracts they have with state entities. Specifically, they must list the business name, address, contract type, and dates for any contract involving a business they financially own (excluding small stock holdings under 1% or minor business interests). This disclosure must be submitted by January 31 each year to the Secretary of State. The bill does not change state spending rules but mandates transparency about potential conflicts of interest in existing contracts. It applies to all state agencies and judicial branches, effective July 1, 2019.
SF 131 adjusts Wyoming's annual spending rates from the state's mineral trust fund and school funds. It reduces the spending percentage from 5% to 4.75% for fiscal years 2021-2023, then to 4.5% starting in 2022 and continuing thereafter, based on a five-year average of the fund's market value. These changes apply to transfers from the permanent mineral trust fund to the general fund and to the common school account. The bill directly affects how much money the state treasury allocates annually from these funds, without creating new programs or altering direct services.
SF 162 establishes two new state accounts: one for the governor's residence and another for the Wyoming Veterans' Home. These accounts hold funds that can only be spent with legislative approval, with investment earnings credited to the general fund. The bill appropriates specific sums for state capital construction projects, including facilities like the NWCCD Health Science Building ($385,000), Mil-Guernsey Readiness ($22.3 million), and Veterans' Home improvements ($600,000), with some projects using private funding. It modifies prior appropriations, requires unused funds to revert to original accounts, and mandates reporting on state facilities projects. The bill directly affects state agencies managing construction projects and facilities funded through these appropriations.
This bill creates the Wyoming Capitol Square Preservation Council to oversee the state capitol complex. The council, composed of state elected officials, legislative leaders, and a minority-party member, develops maintenance plans, reviews architectural changes to buildings, and manages visitor services within the capitol square boundaries. It replaces the previous Capitol Oversight Group and Advisory Task Force for Capitol Renovation, transferring their duties to the new council. The council does not manage day-to-day operations of individual buildings but ensures all renovations and new projects align with the complex's master plan.
