Labor & Employment (Retirement Benefits)

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.

Wyoming's SF 41 creates "portable benefit accounts" to help independent contractors access benefits like health insurance or retirement savings. The bill allows hiring parties (companies or individuals) or contractors themselves to voluntarily contribute funds to these accounts, with strict rules requiring written opt-in agreements and clear disclosure. It prohibits using these contributions to determine employment status and mandates that accounts be managed by approved financial institutions. The law requires the Department of Workforce Services to create implementing rules and takes effect July 1, 2026. This directly affects independent contractors who currently lack employer-provided benefits.