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.
Wyoming's SF 61 would exempt sales or transfers of motor vehicles between immediate family members (parents, children, spouses, or siblings) from state sales and use tax. This applies only when the original seller/donor paid tax on the vehicle when they first purchased it. The bill requires the transfer to occur directly between qualifying family members and designates the vehicle as tax-exempt under state law. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 87 allocates approximately $3.7 million for water development studies across Wyoming, directly affecting local water districts and the state's water development commission. It authorizes Level I reconnaissance (preliminary assessments) and Level II feasibility studies for both new water projects (like the Grover Water Master Plan in Lincoln County) and rehabilitation efforts (such as the Shoshone Irrigation District plan in Park County). The bill requires project reports to the legislature before the 2028 session and mandates unspent funds to revert to water accounts by July 2029. It also provides $175,000 for the Office of Water Programs. The legislation focuses on funding specific planning studies, not on building infrastructure or changing water rights.
This bill authorizes two new full-time positions within Wyoming's state forestry division (one effective April 2026, one April 2027) to support the forestry conservation inmate crew program. It appropriates $499,709 from the general fund specifically for these positions, associated equipment/supplies, and program costs through June 2028. The funding is tied to coordination with the Department of Corrections and includes specific budgeting instructions for the state's next fiscal biennium. The bill directly affects the state forestry division, the inmate crew program, and the Department of Corrections.
HB 107 establishes a new formula for distributing 5.6% of Wyoming's state sales and use tax revenue annually to cities, towns, and counties. It allocates 89% of these funds to cities and towns (with 5% reserved for areas with lower tax revenue) and 11% to counties, using a detailed calculation based on population and per capita tax revenue data. The bill requires equal biannual payments (October 15 and March 15) and includes a supplemental formula that prioritizes smaller municipalities ($15,000 minimum for towns under 35 people, $35,000 for larger ones). This directly affects all Wyoming local governments by changing how they receive state tax distributions.
This bill amends Wyoming's state guard laws to remove the requirement that the National Guard must be activated into federal service before the state guard can be organized. It allows the governor to directly establish and maintain the Wyoming state guard without federal involvement, specifying that state funds - not federal - will cover personnel costs. Eligibility is updated to include Wyoming residents aged 17-65, and the bill appropriates $25,000 from the state general fund to establish the state guard and council of defense through June 2028. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.
This bill creates a full-time literacy position at Wyoming's Department of Education to help K-3 schools implement state reading standards (W.S. 21-3-401). It appropriates $240,000 for the position and $300,000 for supporting contractual services, both for the period July 2026-June 2028. School districts directly affected will receive assistance through this new role and related support services. The bill requires annual reports to the education committee and specifies that unspent funds will revert on June 30, 2028.
Wyoming's SF 110 establishes a lower property tax assessment rate for primary residences owned by residents who live there year-round. It sets an 8.3% assessment rate for owner-occupied primary homes (down from 9.5%) while maintaining a 9.5% rate for other residential properties. To qualify for the lower rate, homeowners must submit an annual claim to their county assessor by May 4th, demonstrating they occupy the property as their primary residence for at least six months. The bill repeals an existing exemption for primary residences and takes effect for the 2027 tax year.
This bill repeals the expiration date (sunset) for Wyoming's property tax exemption that benefits long-term homeowners, making the exemption permanent. It directly affects homeowners who have owned their primary residence in Wyoming for a specified period, typically 10 or more years under existing law. The key provision removes the scheduled end date for this tax break, ensuring eligible homeowners continue to receive the exemption without needing future legislative action. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies statewide to qualifying properties.
SF 98 creates a property tax exemption for qualifying Wyoming veterans and military members. It covers honorably discharged veterans who served 18+ consecutive months (active duty or Wyoming National Guard), current active/reserve members of the Wyoming National Guard or U.S. armed forces, and surviving spouses/parents of qualifying veterans. To qualify, applicants must be bona fide Wyoming residents for at least three years. The exemption applies starting January 1, 2026.
