SF 98 creates a property tax exemption for qualifying Wyoming veterans and military members. It covers honorably discharged veterans who served 18+ consecutive months (active duty or Wyoming National Guard), current active/reserve members of the Wyoming National Guard or U.S. armed forces, and surviving spouses/parents of qualifying veterans. To qualify, applicants must be bona fide Wyoming residents for at least three years. The exemption applies starting January 1, 2026.
This bill appropriates $237,865,123 from Wyoming's public school foundation program to fund major maintenance for K-12 school facilities. The funds are allocated for two periods: $1.12 million for immediate use through June 2028, and $236.74 million for the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium. School districts receive these funds for facility repairs under state law, with unused funds reverting to the foundation account by June 30, 2028. The bill directly affects all Wyoming public school districts eligible for state maintenance funding.
Wyoming's SF 104 creates a dedicated $51.2 million university faculty research project account at the University of Wyoming to fund faculty research. The bill requires universities to secure at least 1:1 nonstate matching funds for most projects (except graduate student stipends), which can cover equipment, donor-aligned research, or business-requested projects matching the university's strengths. Profits from funded research must be split equally between the university and faculty researchers, with annual reports required to state committees on project details and spending. This directly affects University of Wyoming faculty, graduate students receiving stipends (up to $1,500/month), and external donors or businesses partnering on research.
This bill appropriates $15 million from Wyoming's tourism reserve fund to support the development of a rodeo and cowboy museum and hall of fame in Wyoming. The funds will be distributed in three installments of $5 million each on July 1, 2026, 2027, and 2028, contingent on the Wyoming Tourism Board certifying that relocation efforts will boost tourism, jobs, and state revenue. Applicants must provide matching funds (at least $1 for every $1 granted) and relocate to Wyoming by June 30, 2028, or repay the grant. The Wyoming Office of Tourism must report annually on fund usage until 2036.
SF 109 creates a permanent "Cowboy State Agricultural Trust Fund" in Wyoming, funded through state investments and eligible contributions. The fund's earnings will provide grants to support agricultural programs, including University of Wyoming research, workforce development at community colleges, K-12 agricultural education, value-added projects, and technology adoption in farming. Recipients must match each dollar from the fund with at least one dollar in non-state funds and report on grant usage annually. The bill establishes a committee to manage grant applications, oversight, and reporting requirements. This legislation directly affects Wyoming agricultural educators, students, producers, and institutions through new funding mechanisms.
This bill appropriates $26.1 million from Wyoming's general fund to cover the operational costs of the state legislature through June 2028. It directly funds salaries for legislative staff and lawmakers, travel expenses (including per diem for in-state and out-of-state meetings), office supplies, technology, and other administrative needs. Key provisions include allowing the Management Council to shift funds between categories as needed, permitting unspent funds from prior budgets to carry forward for K-12 education support and equipment replacement, and creating a new $34,000 line item to cover mileage, per diem, and daily salary compensation for legislators attending training or interim committee meetings after the 2026 election. The bill ensures ongoing funding for legislative operations while adding specific flexibility for budget management and new legislator support.
This bill creates a program offering Wyoming National Guard members up to $5,000 to encourage reenlistment or extension of service for at least three years. The Wyoming Military Department will administer the program, with annual reports required starting November 1, 2026, detailing participation, bonus amounts, and changes in Guard membership. It is funded by a $1 million state appropriation from the general fund, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with unspent funds reverting at the end of that period. The program directly affects eligible Wyoming National Guard members who meet reenlistment criteria.
This bill increases the referral bonus for the Wyoming National Guard's peer recruitment program from $500 to $1,000 per successful referral. It expands eligibility to include current military department employees and recruits who have begun enlistment (though recruits must complete their own enlistment before receiving a bonus). The program's expiration date is extended from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, and includes a $163,000 state appropriation to fund bonuses during this period. The policy directly affects current Guard members, veterans, military staff, and new recruits who refer eligible candidates.
Wyoming's HJ 2 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to pass a law increasing the state's share of federal mineral royalties from 50% to 87.5%. This directly affects Wyoming's state budget, as current federal royalty payments fund critical services like roads, schools, and emergency responders. The resolution cites that recent federal rate cuts (e.g., reducing oil/gas royalties from 16.67% to 12.5%) will decrease Wyoming's annual share by up to $50 million for coal leasing by 2034. The bill seeks to offset these revenue losses by aligning Wyoming's share with Alaska's 90% rate. (Note: This is a procedural request to Congress, not a binding law.)
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.
