Wyoming's SF 123 creates the Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund, administered by the Wyoming Energy Authority, to support the state's traditional energy industries. The fund receives a portion of severance tax revenues (50% for fiscal years 2027-2028, then 50% for 2029 onward) that would otherwise go to the permanent mineral trust fund or school accounts. It provides grants and loans for projects like coal innovation, natural gas, uranium processing, and pipeline infrastructure - requiring a 1:1 match from non-state funds - but explicitly excludes wind and solar energy projects. The fund aims to bolster Wyoming's energy sector, which supports over 60,000 jobs and generates significant state revenue.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
