Budget & Taxes

signed · Wyoming · House Mar 8, 2026

HB 78: Forest health grant program.

Wyoming's HB 78 creates a state-administered Forest Health Grant Program to fund projects improving forest conditions on public and private lands. The program covers up to 75% of eligible project costs (50% on federal land), requiring matching funds from other sources, with projects focused on water quality, wildfire risk reduction, forest product production, or wildlife habitat. Grants require attorney general approval and annual reporting to the Agriculture Committee, with a $3 million appropriation from the general fund starting July 2026. The program expires on July 1, 2030, after which unobligated funds will be returned to non-state donors or reverted to the general fund. It directly affects landowners and forest managers seeking funding for public-benefit forest health initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates $3M state appropriation for forest health grants, directly funding a program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest health projects targeting water quality, wildfire reduction, and wildlife habitat - directly advancing environmental conservation and protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Forestry Public Lands Water Quality

failed · Wyoming · House Mar 5, 2026

SF 110: Residential property tax revisions.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers property tax rate for primary residences (8.3% vs 9.5%), providing direct tax relief to homeowners, aligning with support indicators for middle-income tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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failed · Wyoming · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 57: Hathaway private post secondary institution scholarships.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($500/semester) for private college scholarships, increasing government spending on education programs within state budget.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates scholarships for private higher education, expanding access for eligible students with academic requirements, directly supporting higher education funding and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Wyoming · House Feb 27, 2026

SF 47: Increase of Hathaway scholarship awards.

This bill increases funding for Wyoming's Hathaway scholarship program. It raises per-semester award amounts for three scholarship tiers: opportunity ($840 → $1,180), performance ($1,260 → $1,770), and honor ($1,680 → $2,360) scholarships for students meeting specific GPA and test score criteria. The bill also increases the maximum annual need-based scholarship award from $1,575 to $2,120. These changes apply to eligible Wyoming students pursuing degrees or certificates at approved institutions, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state budget allocation for education scholarships, directly funding essential public programs through higher appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases scholarship funding for higher education access, directly boosting financial aid for Wyoming students pursuing degrees/certificates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

failed · Wyoming · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 20: State parks-nonmotorized recreational trail fees.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes user fees ($10/$20 annual) to fund park infrastructure maintenance, creating dedicated revenue for public services within state parks budget.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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signed · Wyoming · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 34: Firefighters-retirement plans.

HB 34 expands retirement benefits to specific firefighters in Wyoming by redefining "firefighter member" to include full-time employees of the Wyoming National Guard fire department (crash/rescue units) and full-time wildland firefighters employed by state agencies like the Wyoming State Forestry Division. The bill appropriates $181,000 for retirement contributions from 2026-2028 and requires affected workers to elect by April 30, 2026, whether to join the new retirement plan or stay in the standard system. Coverage begins July 1, 2026, with service credit rules clarified to prevent double-counting across retirement plans. This policy change directly affects approximately 50-100 full-time firefighters across these roles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $181,000 for firefighter retirement benefits, expanding state funding for public employee benefits within budget allocations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for specific firefighters by adding new eligible groups and funding, directly advancing worker benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

failed · Wyoming · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 59: Bond election language process.

HB 59 modifies Wyoming's bond election rules to require local governments to clearly state key details in bond questions, including the purpose, maximum principal amount, repayment term, and interest rate. Voters can now sue a local government if the bond question fails to meet these requirements, delaying bond issuance until a court resolves the dispute. The bill directly affects cities and towns seeking voter approval for bond issues and ensures transparency in how bond proposals are presented. It does not change election timing rules but adds a legal remedy for misleading bond language.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires transparency in bond election details, promoting fiscal responsibility in local government borrowing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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failed · Wyoming · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 64: Enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate-maternal services.

HB 64 increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for eligible healthcare providers offering maternal services in rural and frontier areas of Wyoming. It directly affects Medicaid-enrolled providers (like obstetricians, family doctors with OB privileges, midwives, and surgeons providing cesarean backup) and Medicaid clients receiving prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care in these regions. The bill allocates $2 million ($1 million state, $1 million federal) for 2026-2028 to fund these enhanced rates, with the Department of Health required to report on costs and potential adjustments by October 2027. Its key goal is to improve access to maternal care, reduce related health risks, and maintain provider availability in underserved areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M (state/federal) to fund enhanced Medicaid provider reimbursements for maternal services, directly increasing public health program funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for maternal providers in rural areas, enhancing access to prenatal/postpartum care and funding public health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

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signed · Wyoming · House Mar 6, 2026

SF 14: Literacy position for K-3 reading program.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $540,000 (240k + 300k) for K-3 literacy program, directly increasing state budget allocation for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $540,000 for K-3 literacy position and support services to implement reading standards, strengthening educational program delivery and school assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

died · Wyoming · House Mar 4, 2026

SF 37: K-12 school facilities maintenance and appropriations.

This bill adjusts how Wyoming calculates school facility maintenance funding by raising the allowable square footage threshold from 115% to 135% of standard capacity for the 2025-2026 school year. It allocates $31.9 million for major maintenance and $11.8 million for routine maintenance to school districts, effective July 2026 through June 2028. The changes apply to how school districts' building space is measured for funding eligibility, excluding portable buildings exceeding capacity limits. Funds are restricted to maintenance purposes only and must be expended by 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $43.7M ($31.9M major + $11.8M routine) for K-12 school maintenance, directly funding public education infrastructure through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $31.9M major + $11.8M routine maintenance funding for K-12 school facilities, directly advancing infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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