Wyoming's HJ 6 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose constitutional amendments. The convention would be limited to addressing federal fiscal issues (like debt and spending), restricting federal power over states, and setting term limits for federal officials and Congress. The resolution includes specific safeguards, such as requiring two-thirds of states to agree on the same purpose before Congress acts, ensuring states vote one state, one vote, and explicitly excluding any changes to the Bill of Rights. This resolution serves as Wyoming's continuing application until two-thirds of states support identical proposals.
HB 164 clarifies that food products made with or infused with alcohol (like candy or desserts) are not considered alcoholic beverages if they contain less than 6.25% alcohol by volume. This directly affects food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants producing or selling such items. The bill amends Wyoming's alcohol definitions to explicitly exclude these low-alcohol food products from regulations governing alcoholic beverages. The key provision sets a clear 6.25% alcohol threshold to determine when such foods fall outside the state's alcohol beverage laws.
HB 173 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurers to include retail pharmacies in patients' network choices without using financial incentives like reduced copays to steer patients toward specific locations. It mandates the Wyoming Department of Insurance to create rules ensuring adequate in-network pharmacy access, including location requirements. The law, effective January 1, 2025, directly affects patients (who gain more pharmacy choice), retail pharmacies (protected from exclusion), and PBMs/insurers (prohibited from using cost-sharing tactics to limit options). It focuses on transparency and network adequacy without altering prescription drug pricing or coverage.
Wyoming's HB 210 repeals a requirement that banks and credit unions include specific disclosures on the face of checks and other payment instruments. The bill removes language from three statutes (W.S. 1-15-102, 13-1-701, and 40-14-505) that defined "financial institution" and mandated these disclosures. This directly affects Wyoming-based banks, credit unions, and out-of-state banks with Wyoming branches, eliminating a longstanding check-disclosure rule. The change takes effect July 1, 2024, streamlining banking regulations without altering other financial services.
HB 49, the "By the People Act," requires state agencies in Wyoming to provide live remote audio or video access to public meetings where practicable. It mandates that agencies make meeting recordings and minutes available online for at least five years, sets clear rules for public comment periods (including timed or reasonable time limits), and prohibits restrictions on public broadcasting of meetings unless disruption is reasonably expected. This bill directly affects all state agencies holding public meetings by standardizing digital access and documentation. It takes effect July 1, 2024, with no current legislative action beyond initial introduction.
HB 121 authorizes Wyoming to lease, sell, or exchange a specific 640-acre parcel (the "Kelly parcel" in Teton County) under strict conditions. It requires leases to be for conservation only, with minimum $6 million annual payments and no development allowed, while allowing up to 10 years of renewal. For sales, the bill mandates a minimum $750 million price, with proceeds deposited into the common school fund, and permits exchanges for mineral interests valued at least $1 billion (e.g., coal or trona in Wyoming). The bill directly affects the state lands department, potential lessees, and purchasers of the parcel, with all transactions requiring board approval.
HB 182 prohibits payment processors from assigning special merchant category codes to firearm or ammunition retailers, requiring them to be classified as general merchandise or sporting goods retailers instead. This directly affects payment entities (like banks and credit card networks) and firearm retailers who must use standard retail codes. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per violation. The bill does not change gun laws or purchase requirements but modifies payment processing rules, effective July 1, 2024.
This bill would allow Wyoming minors aged 14-16 to obtain restricted class C or M driver's licenses with expanded driving permissions. It increases the permitted driving radius from 50 to 150 miles from their home and adds two new qualifying circumstances for "extreme inconvenience": needing to commute more than 5 miles to school or working in a parent's business. The bill maintains existing restrictions, including driving only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and requiring parental/guardian consent. The Department of Transportation must create implementing rules, and the changes would take effect July 1, 2024.
HB 181 eliminates coroners' authority to conduct inquests for deaths, shifting responsibility for death investigations to county health officers and accident inspectors. It revises statutes related to death reports (W.S. 7-4-201), postmortem examinations (W.S. 7-4-209), and fatal accident investigations (W.S. 30-2-212) to remove coroner involvement. Counties will no longer handle inquest costs through coroners, instead using health officer procedures for cause-of-death certification. The changes take effect July 1, 2024, impacting how death investigations are conducted across Wyoming.
HB 156 establishes a legal presumption in Wyoming court decisions about children's best interests: it is conclusively not in a child's best interest to undergo gender transition or reassignment procedures. The bill defines prohibited procedures to include certain surgeries (like hysterectomy or orchiectomy), mastectomies, and specific hormone treatments (such as puberty blockers or supraphysiologic hormone doses), while excluding care for children with medically verified conditions like disorders of sex development or central precocious puberty. This presumption applies to family court cases involving custody, adoption, visitation, and protection orders. The bill amends multiple Wyoming statutes to incorporate this standard, affecting court rulings on minors' care.
This bill lowers Wyoming's minimum age requirement for obtaining a concealed firearm permit from 21 to 18 years old. It amends Section 6-8-104(b)(ii) of the Wyoming Statutes to allow 18-year-olds to apply for permits, directly affecting young adults seeking concealed carry authorization. The bill repeals a conflicting provision (W.S. 6-8-104(j)) and takes effect July 1, 2024. It makes no changes to permit issuance procedures or other eligibility criteria beyond the age adjustment.
HB 140 changes how the University of Wyoming's board of trustees is structured and selected. It increases the board from 12 to 19 members (14 voting trustees and 5 non-voting ex-officio members), requiring seven voting trustees to be elected by Wyoming voters instead of appointed by the governor. The bill establishes election rules for these seven elected trustees, including four-year terms, voting districts, and non-partisan ballot placement. This directly affects Wyoming voters who will elect trustees and the university's governance structure, replacing the current system where most trustees are appointed by the governor. The changes take effect after the 2024 general election.
