Technology

Wyoming's HB 15, "Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment," requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide independent repair providers and equipment owners with documentation, parts, embedded software, and tools for diagnosing, maintaining, or repairing digital electronics manufactured after July 1, 2026. The bill mandates that these resources be made available on "fair and reasonable terms," prohibiting practices like parts pairing that block repairs and ensuring no excessive pricing or unnecessary restrictions. It specifically covers digital electronics sold in Wyoming for the first time after the 2026 effective date, excluding equipment sold before that date. The law defines key terms like "independent repair provider" and sets requirements for how OEMs must share resources without impeding repairs. This bill does not apply to equipment already in use or sold prior to the 2026 deadline.

Wyoming's SF 20 requires state and local government entities (excluding law enforcement and judicial branches) to adopt policies governing how they collect, secure, and use residents' personal data. The bill prohibits selling or transferring personal data without explicit consent, allows limited transfers to other government entities or contracted service providers (with data protection requirements), and mandates that residents can request copies of their data or challenge inaccuracies within 60 days. It defines key terms like "personal data" (information linked to identifiable individuals) and "deidentified data" (data that cannot be traced back to a person), while clarifying that existing laws like HIPAA and public records access remain unaffected. This bill directly affects all Wyoming government agencies handling resident data and establishes new transparency and privacy standards for their operations.

Wyoming's HB 17 renames the existing "Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology" to the "Select Committee on Blockchain and Emerging Technologies" and clarifies its duties. The committee must develop expertise on these technologies, propose legislation to support blockchain and digital innovation (excluding Title 13 matters), and recommend policies to attract tech companies to Wyoming. The bill also requires the state director to submit reports on Wyoming stable tokens to this committee and the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee. This is a procedural change to the committee's structure and responsibilities, not a new law affecting citizens or businesses directly.