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.
HB 124 would have reduced property tax exemptions for single-family homeowners in Wyoming by lowering the percentage used to calculate the exemption from 4% to 2% of the prior year's assessed value. This change would apply to both the home structure and associated land, resulting in a smaller tax break for qualifying homeowners as their exemption amount would decrease. The bill, which failed to pass in the Wyoming House of Representatives on February 10, 2026, was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. It directly affects residential property owners who currently qualify for this exemption under Wyoming law.
Wyoming's SF 104 creates a dedicated $51.2 million university faculty research project account at the University of Wyoming to fund faculty research. The bill requires universities to secure at least 1:1 nonstate matching funds for most projects (except graduate student stipends), which can cover equipment, donor-aligned research, or business-requested projects matching the university's strengths. Profits from funded research must be split equally between the university and faculty researchers, with annual reports required to state committees on project details and spending. This directly affects University of Wyoming faculty, graduate students receiving stipends (up to $1,500/month), and external donors or businesses partnering on research.
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 appropriates $237,865,123 from Wyoming's public school foundation program to fund major maintenance for K-12 school facilities. The funds are allocated for two periods: $1.12 million for immediate use through June 2028, and $236.74 million for the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium. School districts receive these funds for facility repairs under state law, with unused funds reverting to the foundation account by June 30, 2028. The bill directly affects all Wyoming public school districts eligible for state maintenance funding.
This bill proposes amending Wyoming's constitution to eliminate property taxes on residential homes. It would change Article 15, Section 11(b) to set the tax rate for residential property at 0%, meaning no property tax would be assessed on residential real estate. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to take effect. It directly affects all Wyoming homeowners who currently pay property tax on their primary residences.
HB 164 creates the Wyoming Generational Investment Account, a permanent trust fund designed to save state money for future generations. Starting July 1, 2026, the state will transfer $100 million annually from the legislative stabilization reserve into this account, with funds invested per specific rules (85% private equity, 15% private credit). Investment earnings from these transfers cannot be withdrawn for 20 years; after that, half the earnings go to the general fund and half to the stabilization reserve. The bill directly affects state budgeting by redirecting annual transfers and setting long-term investment rules for these funds.
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.
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.
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.
