Wyoming's HB 45 revises the property tax exemption for long-term homeowners, affecting residents aged 65+ who have paid residential property tax in Wyoming for 25+ years on their primary residence. The bill changes the annual application deadline from the fourth Monday in May to March 1 and requires homeowners to confirm eligibility each year by March 1 via phone, mail, or other communication. It also removes the previous expiration date for the exemption, making it permanent, and takes effect July 1, 2026. The changes simplify annual renewal while ensuring continued eligibility for qualifying homeowners.
Wyoming's HB 128 provides a 5-year severance tax exemption for oil and gas operators using certified advanced extraction methods (tertiary production) between July 2026 and July 2031. It directly affects oil and gas producers who implement qualifying projects approved by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after July 1, 2026. The bill requires annual reports by the Commission and Department detailing production volumes, qualifying operators, wells, and the tax savings from the exemption. This exemption applies specifically to severance taxes under Wyoming law, with reports due each November 1 from 2026 through 2036.
Wyoming's HB 105 appropriates $31.66 million from the state education fund for K-12 school facility maintenance and repairs, primarily benefiting public school districts across the state (e.g., Big Horn #3 High School, Sheridan #2 Junior High). It also allocates $6.33 million for charter school lease expenses for the 2026-2028 school years. Funds must be spent by specified deadlines (July 2026-June 2028), with unspent amounts reverting to the education fund. The bill requires schools to meet safety/security standards to access grant funds and mandates annual progress reports to state committees.
This bill repeals the expiration date (sunset) for Wyoming's property tax exemption that benefits long-term homeowners, making the exemption permanent. It directly affects homeowners who have owned their primary residence in Wyoming for a specified period, typically 10 or more years under existing law. The key provision removes the scheduled end date for this tax break, ensuring eligible homeowners continue to receive the exemption without needing future legislative action. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies statewide to qualifying properties.
This bill adjusts how Wyoming calculates school facility maintenance funding by raising the allowable square footage threshold from 115% to 135% of standard capacity for the 2025-2026 school year. It allocates $31.9 million for major maintenance and $11.8 million for routine maintenance to school districts, effective July 2026 through June 2028. The changes apply to how school districts' building space is measured for funding eligibility, excluding portable buildings exceeding capacity limits. Funds are restricted to maintenance purposes only and must be expended by 2028.
SF 60 appropriates $31.66 million from Wyoming's public school foundation program for K-12 school facility maintenance projects across specific school districts, with spending limits per project listed in the bill. It also establishes a separate grant program for school safety and security projects, requiring districts to meet defined criteria to receive funds. The bill mandates annual reports on project progress and specifies that unspent funds must revert to the foundation program by June 30, 2028. This legislation directly affects Wyoming's public and charter school districts by providing targeted funding for facility upkeep and security upgrades.
Wyoming's SF 96 clarifies that tobacco wholesalers cannot sell nicotine products to anyone under 21. It extends tobacco taxation to cigars and pipe tobacco, setting a maximum tax rate of 20% or $0.30 per cigar, and requires remote sellers (online retailers) to obtain a license and pay this tax on sales to Wyoming consumers. The bill also defines key terms like "remote retail sale" (online orders with delivery) and "wholesaler" to clarify who must comply. This directly affects tobacco wholesalers, remote online sellers, and consumers purchasing cigars or pipe tobacco in Wyoming.
SF 86 creates the Wyoming Property Tax Relief Authority to provide financial assistance for property taxes to qualifying homeowners. The authority would administer a loan program offering funds to Wyoming residents who own their primary residence and face increased property tax burdens. It authorizes the issuance of bonds to fund the program, with repayment secured by dedicated revenues. The bill also requires that loan application details remain confidential and not subject to public disclosure under the Public Records Act.
This bill revises Wyoming's homeowner property tax exemption rules. It removes the requirement that homeowners must reside in their property for at least eight months each year to qualify for the exemption, effective for tax year 2026. The bill also adds an exception for active-duty military members: if their service prevents meeting the residency requirement, the property still qualifies if it's the legal domicile of the service member. This change directly affects Wyoming homeowners seeking the property tax exemption, simplifying eligibility for most residents while maintaining a military exception.
