Wyoming's SF 123 creates the Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund, administered by the Wyoming Energy Authority, to support the state's traditional energy industries. The fund receives a portion of severance tax revenues (50% for fiscal years 2027-2028, then 50% for 2029 onward) that would otherwise go to the permanent mineral trust fund or school accounts. It provides grants and loans for projects like coal innovation, natural gas, uranium processing, and pipeline infrastructure - requiring a 1:1 match from non-state funds - but explicitly excludes wind and solar energy projects. The fund aims to bolster Wyoming's energy sector, which supports over 60,000 jobs and generates significant state revenue.
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.
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.
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 HB 10 requires county and school libraries to keep sexually explicit materials out of sections primarily for minors (under age 18). Libraries must catalog and store such materials in adult sections, and establish a formal process for residents to challenge material placement in children's areas. This includes providing written challenge forms at library locations and online, with a 60-day review period for decisions. Libraries failing to implement the challenge process by August 1, 2026, face daily $500 penalties, and violations allow residents to pursue legal action after using the challenge process.
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.
