SF 109 creates a permanent "Cowboy State Agricultural Trust Fund" in Wyoming, funded through state investments and eligible contributions. The fund's earnings will provide grants to support agricultural programs, including University of Wyoming research, workforce development at community colleges, K-12 agricultural education, value-added projects, and technology adoption in farming. Recipients must match each dollar from the fund with at least one dollar in non-state funds and report on grant usage annually. The bill establishes a committee to manage grant applications, oversight, and reporting requirements. This legislation directly affects Wyoming agricultural educators, students, producers, and institutions through new funding mechanisms.
Wyoming's HB 10 requires county and school libraries to keep sexually explicit materials out of sections primarily for minors (under age 18). Libraries must catalog and store such materials in adult sections, and establish a formal process for residents to challenge material placement in children's areas. This includes providing written challenge forms at library locations and online, with a 60-day review period for decisions. Libraries failing to implement the challenge process by August 1, 2026, face daily $500 penalties, and violations allow residents to pursue legal action after using the challenge process.
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.
This bill (SF 18) ensures Wyoming public K-12 schools are equally free and accessible to all children, including those attending part-time. It requires schools to operate for a minimum of 175 days per year (unless an alternative schedule is approved by the state board after public meetings), and mandates annual evaluations of alternative schedules. Parents or guardians of eligible children may apply for an Education Savings Account (ESA) program under existing law. The changes apply starting the 2026-2027 school year.
HB 115 requires all Wyoming school districts (including charter schools) to create and implement cardiac emergency response plans for general school settings and separate plans for athletic events. Key provisions mandate that schools place and maintain AEDs in unlocked, accessible locations (within 3 minutes), train staff in CPR and AED use per American Heart Association standards, and rehearse athletic venue protocols annually. The bill allocates $50,000 for reimbursement of implementation costs during the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years, with priority for districts serving higher percentages of students eligible for free meals. It applies directly to school staff, students, and emergency medical providers by standardizing cardiac emergency protocols across all school properties and athletic events.
HB 74 requires Wyoming public school districts to provide free feminine hygiene products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms designated exclusively for female students, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects schools serving students in grades 6-12, mandating that districts ensure these products are available, accessible, and that students are informed of their location. The bill appropriates $487,500 to reimburse schools based on actual costs, with limits of $1,100 per 100 female students for 2026-2027 and $850 per 100 for 2027-2028. The bill is pending (failed introduction on Feb. 11, 2026) and would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
HB 142 requires Wyoming public schools to implement literacy screening assessments for students in kindergarten through grade 5, administered three times yearly for K-3 and targeted for grades 4-5. Schools must provide evidence-based interventions for students identified as high-risk for reading difficulties (including dyslexia), with individualized plans requiring parental consent, while also mandating research-backed core literacy instruction in areas like phonemic awareness, decoding, and reading comprehension. The bill repeals Wyoming's previous reading assessment program and requires annual reporting to the state education department on student progress toward an 80% target for low-risk reading scores in K-3, with schools failing to meet goals submitting improvement plans. It directly affects K-5 students, school districts, and parents through new screening, intervention, and reporting requirements.
This bill requires Wyoming public school districts to provide age-appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention education to all students. It mandates that schools use programs consistent with existing state materials and training standards outlined in related statutes. The requirement applies to all K-12 public schools and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The legislation directly affects students and school districts by establishing a new mandatory educational component focused on suicide prevention.
HB 38 increases annual pesticide registration fees for farmers and companies registering pesticides in Wyoming. The bill raises fees to $195 per product (up from $140) and specifies that $125 of each fee funds the Department of Agriculture's pesticide registration program, while $15 supports University of Wyoming's pesticide applicator certification training. These changes apply to pesticides registered or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, with the law taking effect on that date. The bill directly affects agricultural businesses handling pesticide products and ensures fees fund specific state agricultural programs.
