HB 79 Wyoming House · 2025 Regular Session

Bond elections-voter threshold requirement.

HB 79 requires local governments in Wyoming to meet two conditions for bond elections held on days other than general elections: (1) a majority of voters must support the bond, and (2) at least 50% plus one of the qualified voters who participated in the previous general election must cast ballots. This directly affects cities, school districts, and other political subdivisions seeking to issue bonds for projects like infrastructure or facilities. The bill does not change rules for bond elections held on general election days, and applies only to elections starting July 1, 2025. It aims to ensure broader voter participation for non-general election bond measures.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Vetoed
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Vetoed Mar 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 1, 2025
MINOR
This bill establishes a minimum voter turnout threshold for bond elections held outside of general election days. Previously, only a simple majority of ballots cast was needed to approve a bond proposal. Now, the proposal must receive both a majority of votes AND at least 25% plus one of all qualified electors who voted in the preceding general election. This change aims to ensure broader public engagement for bond measures.
Scope change
The bill applies only to bond elections held on days other than general elections, with no impact on elections occurring before July 1, 2025.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that bond elections held outside general elections must achieve at least 25% plus one of qualified electors who voted in the prior general election, in addition to a majority of ballots cast.

TIMELINE

Modified the effective date provision to clarify that the new threshold requirement applies only to bond elections occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provision allowing bond proposals rejected due to insufficient turnout to be resubmitted at the next general election or at another time under the act, rather than requiring a 12-month waiting period.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2025 · House Jan 27, 2025

How they voted

301
Passed
Total votes 31
Feb 28, 2025
D Democratic2
1 Yea 1 Nay
50% Nay
R Republican29
29 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Mar 5, 2025
Vetoed
Governor Vetoed HEA No. 0055
legislature
Feb 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
H Concur:Passed 52-7-3-0-0
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-0
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
S COW:Passed
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
S07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
S Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
H 3rd Reading:Passed 57-4-1-0-0
lower
Jan 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
H COW:Passed
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
H07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced
H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors