HB 111 allocates $205 million for specific state construction projects, including Wyoming National Guard modernization, health facility remodels, and community college building renovations, with funding from general, federal, and private sources. It also allocates $233 million for major maintenance across state facilities, universities, parks, and cultural resources, distributing funds by percentage (e.g., 37.66% to state buildings, 36.4% to the University of Wyoming). The bill requires all funds to be spent only on designated projects, with unspent amounts reverting to original accounts, and clarifies that appropriations are not guaranteed entitlements. This directly affects state agencies like the construction department, parks division, and community colleges by funding their physical infrastructure needs.
Wyoming's HB 120 creates "industrial sovereign zones" where natural gas producers and manufacturers can transform gas into new products (like hydrogen or ammonia) through substantial chemical changes. It provides tax exemptions for facilities in these zones, fast-track permitting for new manufacturing operations, and establishes a voluntary "gold standard" certification for products with low methane emissions (under 0.2%). The bill directly affects natural gas producers selling to these facilities and manufacturers building new processing plants within designated zones. Key provisions include streamlined licensing, tax breaks for machinery and gas sales, and certification standards to promote Wyoming-made products as distinct from raw fossil fuels.
SF 28 requires that all voting machine and electronic voting system tests in Wyoming be conducted publicly, with county clerks providing at least five days' notice to the public and political parties before testing. It removes the previous presumption that machines are properly prepared, allowing challenges within two days of sealing. Each voting machine must be individually tested and certified, including accuracy verification using pre-audited ballots at least two weeks before an election. The bill also updates county clerk procedures to ensure transparency and accountability in election equipment preparation.
HB 36 creates a specialized wildland fire suppression module within Wyoming's State Forestry Division (part of the Office of State Lands and Investments). It authorizes 12 new positions - two full-time roles (regional fire manager and suppression module leader), plus temporary staff - and appropriates $2.572 million from the general fund specifically for this module. The funds cover hiring, training, equipment, and support for a dedicated wildfire response team focused on fire suppression and hazardous fuels reduction projects. The funding is restricted to these purposes through June 2028, with unspent funds reverting to the state on that date. This bill directly affects the State Forestry Division's operational capacity for wildfire management.
HB 43 creates new criminal offenses for money laundering and illegal investments in Wyoming. It defines money laundering as moving property derived from crime (like drug trafficking or fraud) or structuring transactions to hide illegal money, and illegal investment as intentionally evading reporting rules for financial transactions. The bill directly affects financial institutions (such as banks, casinos, and money transmitters) and individuals handling large sums, requiring them to comply with reporting laws. Violations are punishable as felonies with up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fines. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill creates a new monthly death benefit for the surviving spouses of Wyoming law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty after July 1, 2026. The benefit equals 90% of the officer's salary plus 6% of that salary for each child under 18. It applies to death benefits distributed on or after the effective date, specifically amending retirement program provisions for law enforcement members. The policy directly affects surviving spouses and dependent children of qualifying officers who die while performing official duties.
This bill (HB 44) is a technical correction to fix errors in Wyoming's existing statutes, not a new policy. It amends three specific sections of law to correct outdated references, typos, and inconsistencies (e.g., updating definitions and clarifying legal citations). The changes will not alter how laws function or affect any individuals or entities, as they only address minor drafting errors in the text of the statutes themselves. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, but has no substantive policy impact.
Wyoming's HB 39 clarifies that individuals who have had their firearm rights restored under the laws of another state may legally possess firearms in Wyoming. The bill amends statutes (W.S. 6-8-102 and 6-10-106) to explicitly recognize out-of-state rights restoration as valid for Wyoming residents convicted of felonies or violent misdemeanors. This directly affects people with prior convictions who had their firearm rights restored in another jurisdiction but faced uncertainty under Wyoming law. The change takes effect immediately upon becoming law, removing barriers for these individuals to legally own firearms in Wyoming.
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.
This Wyoming bill (SF 55) amends regulations for Special Purpose Depository Institutions (SPDIs) - financial institutions that handle specific types of deposits, like those for government entities or nonprofits. It increases minimum capital requirements ($5 million), shortens the timeframe for SPDIs to begin operations from 6 months to 1 year, and creates a new "resolution fund" funded by supervisory fees to address failures. SPDIs must pay annual fees based on assets, with a portion deposited into this fund for resolution costs. The bill also revises application rules, appeal processes, and repeals outdated contingency account requirements for SPDIs.
Wyoming's SF 57, the Hospital Price Transparency Act, requires licensed hospitals to publicly list standard prices for at least 300 "shoppable" medical services (like procedures or supplies patients can schedule in advance) on their websites. Hospitals must display specific charges - including gross charges, discounted cash prices, and negotiated rates - with clear descriptions, in a machine-readable format, and without requiring user accounts or personal information. The Department of Health will monitor compliance and enforce penalties for non-compliance, with hospitals required to update the price lists annually. This directly affects all Wyoming hospitals providing inpatient or outpatient services, aiming to make healthcare pricing more accessible to patients.
SF 54 establishes a formal process for special purpose depository institutions (SPDIs) to convert into state banks and for state banks to convert into SPDIs. It requires institutions seeking conversion to submit detailed plans for handling assets and liabilities, obtain shareholder approval, and meet capital requirements before applying to the banking commissioner. The commissioner must review applications within 90 days and issue a certificate of authority for operation within 30 days of approval, with strict deadlines for denials or corrections. This bill directly affects SPDIs and state banks wishing to change their charter status under Wyoming law.
