Budget & Taxes

HB 57 creates the "Hathaway private post secondary institution scholarship" to help Wyoming students attend private colleges or universities. It provides up to $500 per semester for tuition and fees at state-accredited private institutions offering certificates or degrees, with eligibility requiring a 3.5 high school GPA, standardized test scores at the 79th percentile, and meeting specific academic requirements. The program limits funding to 200 students total, covering up to eight full-time semesters per student, and requires the state education department to administer applications and verify eligibility through school transcripts. This scholarship directly affects qualifying Wyoming students seeking private post-secondary education, separate from public university funding.

Wyoming's HB 20 establishes a permit system for nonmotorized recreational trail use (like bicycles) in state parks and historic sites. It allows the Department of State Parks to require permits with annual fees up to $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents, or daily fees up to $5. Fees collected fund trail maintenance, signage, safety programs, and related infrastructure within state parks. Minors under 18 are exempt from the permit requirement. The bill creates a dedicated account for these funds, ensuring they supplement existing park funding for trail-related purposes.