This Wyoming bill (HB 30) changes how possession of controlled substances is penalized. It eliminates requiring proof of a substance's "form" (like powder vs. liquid) as part of misdemeanor possession charges, instead focusing solely on the amount possessed. Key provisions set specific penalties based on quantity: for example, possessing less than 3 grams of most Schedule I-IV drugs is a misdemeanor (up to 12 months jail, $1,000 fine), while amounts of 3 grams or more become felony offenses with higher penalties. The bill also creates separate rules for marijuana (under 3 ounces = misdemeanor, 3+ ounces = felony) and liquid forms of drugs like meth or fentanyl (under 0.3 grams = misdemeanor, 0.3+ grams = felony). It repeals outdated provisions and clarifies that medical marijuana prescriptions for non-FDA-approved products remain invalid.
This bill (SF 110) eliminates a sunset date for Wyoming school districts to hold cash reserves at 30% of their foundation program funding - previously limited to 2026. It directly affects all Wyoming public school districts by permanently allowing them to maintain higher operating balances without returning excess funds to the state. The key mechanism adjusts how districts calculate excess reserves: any balance exceeding 30% must be separately reported and cannot fund capital construction (though major facility repairs are exempt). The change takes effect July 1, 2024, making the 30% reserve threshold permanent instead of temporary.
HB 203 creates a property tax exemption for single-family residential properties in Wyoming, covering the first $200,000 of value in 2024 and $1 million annually thereafter. To offset lost local revenue, it adds a 2% sales tax (raising the total rate to 6%) effective July 2024. Funds from this tax are distributed to counties based on their lost property tax revenue from the exemption, with any remaining funds used for sales tax refunds to businesses paying severance and sales taxes. The bill directly affects homeowners with qualifying properties and local governments reliant on property tax revenue.
Wyoming's SF 121 establishes a property tax exemption for primary residences, allowing homeowners to exclude up to $300,000 of their home's value from annual property taxes. To qualify, residents must have lived in Wyoming for at least five years and resided in the home for nine months of the prior tax year, and must submit an annual sworn claim by May 4th. The exemption applies to single-family homes only, with no more than one exemption per property per year, and includes penalties for false claims. Funding for the exemption will come from the state's legislative stabilization account, with counties reporting impacts to the state department of revenue. The bill takes effect January 1, 2025.
SF 92 prohibits adult sex offenders required to register under Wyoming law for offenses involving minor victims from applying for or accepting employment or volunteer positions involving direct interaction with minors (either as co-workers or when providing services to unaccompanied minors). Offenders may seek court relief through a petition requiring proof they pose no substantial risk of reoffending, with a hearing and prosecutor notification. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors with up to six months in jail or a $750 fine. The law applies to positions beginning July 1, 2024, and does not affect existing positions.
SF 95 removes automatic job protection ("tenure") for Wyoming teachers after three years of service. It replaces the previous system with annual performance evaluations until a teacher is rated "effective" for two consecutive years, after which evaluations occur every three years. The bill also modifies hearing procedures for teacher suspensions or dismissals and clarifies definitions like "probationary teacher" (less than three years of service). These changes directly affect all public school teachers in Wyoming by altering job security and evaluation requirements. The bill does not change salary structures or other employment benefits.
This Wyoming constitutional amendment (SJ 5) shifts responsibility for school facility construction from the state to local school districts, while adding state-funded equalization to ensure districts don't face higher local tax burdens than a statewide average. School districts would primarily fund facilities through voter-approved bonds or other means, but the state would provide equalization funding - potentially via a statewide mill levy - to cap local property tax rates at the state average per person. It directly affects school districts and taxpayers by changing how capital construction costs are shared, requiring voter approval for projects, and addressing a court-mandated funding gap that arose after coal lease revenue declined. The amendment must be approved by voters to take effect.
This bill creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes in Wyoming, directly affecting homeowners of such properties. The exemption equals the increase in a home's market value from the prior year plus 3% (or 2020 value plus 3% annually for 2025), limiting annual tax increases. Homeowners must apply to the Department of Revenue for the exemption, which applies to only one property per owner. Tax assessment notices must now include exemption information and estimates of potential tax savings. The exemption takes effect January 1, 2025, with rules to be adopted by the Department of Revenue by that date.
This bill (HB 48) amends a Wyoming statute to rename the "deaf, dumb and blind account" to the "Deaf, dumb and hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired account." It only changes the name of an existing state fund account established under Wyoming law to better reflect current terminology and respect for people with disabilities. The bill does not alter funding levels, eligibility, or policy for the account. It takes effect July 1, 2024.
HB 165 requires Wyoming's Office of State Lands and Investments to study the feasibility of creating an access point permitting system for commercial fishing on state lands. The study, due by October 1, 2024, must examine costs, benefits to residents and land trust beneficiaries, existing access points, staffing needs, funding requirements, and successful models from other states and federal agencies. The office must report findings to the joint travel and recreation committee, which may then propose legislation based on the study's recommendations. This bill does not implement a permit system but mandates an analysis to inform future decisions affecting commercial fishing outfitters using state land access points.
Wyoming's HB 131 allows parents or guardians to legally settle minor children's claims (like injury compensation) up to $25,000 without court approval, directly affecting minors and their families. Key provisions require parents/guardians to attest in an affidavit that the claim is under $25,000, make reasonable inquiry into the claim, and apply settlement funds solely for the minor's benefit - either to the parent/guardian or into a trust. The bill creates a new legal cause of action for minors to sue parents/guardians who misuse funds or fail to follow these requirements. This applies only to claims entered after July 1, 2024, and does not affect minors with existing court-appointed conservators or those who are legally emancipated.
HB 175 allows Wyoming school districts to request fingerprint-based background checks for volunteers who regularly interact with or have unsupervised access to minors in K-12 schools. Previously, such checks applied only to school employees, but this bill extends the requirement to volunteers meeting these specific access criteria. School districts must cover all costs for the fingerprinting and background check process. The law takes effect July 1, 2024.
