Wyoming's SF 32 establishes a state-funded program to support 911 emergency services. It directs the Department of Transportation to conduct a study on transitioning to next-generation 911 systems by September 2027, and to provide grants covering funding shortfalls for local governments operating current 911 systems. The bill appropriates $3.75 million ($3 million for grants, $750,000 for the study) from the legislative stabilization reserve, with funds available for applications starting July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2028. Local governments operating 911 systems may apply for grants to cover operational shortfalls, while the study will examine system governance, operations, and costs. The bill directly affects local emergency service providers and state budget allocations for public safety infrastructure.
This bill increases funding for Wyoming's Hathaway scholarship program. It raises per-semester award amounts for three scholarship tiers: opportunity ($840 → $1,180), performance ($1,260 → $1,770), and honor ($1,680 → $2,360) scholarships for students meeting specific GPA and test score criteria. The bill also increases the maximum annual need-based scholarship award from $1,575 to $2,120. These changes apply to eligible Wyoming students pursuing degrees or certificates at approved institutions, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 35 requires Wyoming state wildland firefighters employed by the Office of State Lands and Investments to receive hazard pay and paid time off based on federal standards. It directly affects correctional forestry crew supervisors, correctional crew supervisors, and other state-employed wildland firefighters. The bill appropriates $422,500 from the general fund (2026-2028) specifically for this hazard pay, with unspent funds reverting in 2028. Rules to implement the law will be created by the Department of Administration and Information and the Office of State Lands.
HB 34 expands retirement benefits to specific firefighters in Wyoming by redefining "firefighter member" to include full-time employees of the Wyoming National Guard fire department (crash/rescue units) and full-time wildland firefighters employed by state agencies like the Wyoming State Forestry Division. The bill appropriates $181,000 for retirement contributions from 2026-2028 and requires affected workers to elect by April 30, 2026, whether to join the new retirement plan or stay in the standard system. Coverage begins July 1, 2026, with service credit rules clarified to prevent double-counting across retirement plans. This policy change directly affects approximately 50-100 full-time firefighters across these roles.
HB 90 requires Wyoming's state engineer to study how large-scale industrial water use permanently removes water from the natural water cycle (like data centers, carbon capture, and hydrogen production), excluding normal evaporation from irrigation. The study must analyze current impacts on all water users - including agriculture, municipalities, and recreation - and recommend ways to limit future impacts. It mandates a report to the legislature by November 2026, funded by a $500,000 appropriation specifically for this study. This bill does not change water rules but creates a formal process to assess emerging industrial water demands.
HB 115 requires all Wyoming school districts (including charter schools) to create and implement cardiac emergency response plans for general school settings and separate plans for athletic events. Key provisions mandate that schools place and maintain AEDs in unlocked, accessible locations (within 3 minutes), train staff in CPR and AED use per American Heart Association standards, and rehearse athletic venue protocols annually. The bill allocates $50,000 for reimbursement of implementation costs during the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years, with priority for districts serving higher percentages of students eligible for free meals. It applies directly to school staff, students, and emergency medical providers by standardizing cardiac emergency protocols across all school properties and athletic events.
HB 68 expands Wyoming's property tax exemption for veterans with permanent, total service-connected disabilities. It allows eligible veterans certified as having a 100% service-connected disability to claim a full exemption on the assessed value of their primary residence, including up to 10 acres of associated land - replacing the previous $6,000 annual limit. Surviving spouses who haven't remarried and keep the property as their primary residence also retain this full exemption. The change applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2027, and does not affect veterans who qualify only for the standard $6,000 exemption.
HB 110 establishes a new formula for funding Wyoming's K-12 public schools, directly affecting all school districts in the state. It calculates funding based on average daily enrollment, requiring specific teacher ratios (e.g., one core teacher for every 16 elementary students) and minimum staffing levels per school type, while also restricting how school foundation funds can be used. The bill mandates school districts to join the state's employee insurance program, modifies cash reserve rules, and continues mental health services grants. It implements the 2025 cost-of-education study and includes provisions for rulemaking and funding appropriations.
HB 74 requires Wyoming public school districts to provide free feminine hygiene products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms designated exclusively for female students, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects schools serving students in grades 6-12, mandating that districts ensure these products are available, accessible, and that students are informed of their location. The bill appropriates $487,500 to reimburse schools based on actual costs, with limits of $1,100 per 100 female students for 2026-2027 and $850 per 100 for 2027-2028. The bill is pending (failed introduction on Feb. 11, 2026) and would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
HB 59 modifies Wyoming's bond election rules to require local governments to clearly state key details in bond questions, including the purpose, maximum principal amount, repayment term, and interest rate. Voters can now sue a local government if the bond question fails to meet these requirements, delaying bond issuance until a court resolves the dispute. The bill directly affects cities and towns seeking voter approval for bond issues and ensures transparency in how bond proposals are presented. It does not change election timing rules but adds a legal remedy for misleading bond language.