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 183 (Renters' Property Tax Relief) expands eligibility for Wyoming's property tax refund program to include renters of their principal residence, not just homeowners. To qualify, renters must meet income limits (not exceeding 145% of their county’s median household income), have total household assets under $150,000 (adjusted annually), and provide proof they are not behind on rent. The bill caps refunds at 75% of the prior year’s property tax paid or half the county’s median residential tax liability, whichever is lower. It becomes effective January 1, 2027, and requires the Department of Revenue to establish rules for implementation.
SF 86 creates the Wyoming Property Tax Relief Authority to provide financial assistance for property taxes to qualifying homeowners. The authority would administer a loan program offering funds to Wyoming residents who own their primary residence and face increased property tax burdens. It authorizes the issuance of bonds to fund the program, with repayment secured by dedicated revenues. The bill also requires that loan application details remain confidential and not subject to public disclosure under the Public Records Act.
Wyoming's SF 64 creates the Wyoming Housing Revolving Loan Program to address affordable housing shortages. It provides loans to local governments, housing authorities, and nonprofits for new construction, rehabilitation, or land acquisition of affordable and workforce housing (80% of funds), plus zero-interest loans for planning and predevelopment (20% of funds). The program is funded by a $30 million transfer from the Strategic Investments Account (if not repealed), with repaid loans replenishing the fund. All loans require state attorney general certification and annual reporting to the legislature on fund usage and project outcomes.
This bill amends Wyoming's tax exemption rules for housing projects owned by cities or counties. It requires that such housing property be 100% publicly owned (by a municipality, county, or fully controlled entity) to qualify for tax exemption, excludes profit-making portions from the exemption (while allowing adjustments for public utility costs), and permits cities to instead make payments to maintain low-rent housing. The changes apply to all Wyoming cities, towns, and counties starting January 1, 2026.
HB 27 ensures that when land is annexed by a city or town, counties continue handling pending building permits and land use applications until those applications are officially approved or denied. After a decision is made, jurisdiction automatically transfers to the annexing city or town. The bill prohibits counties from arbitrarily denying such applications solely to force this transfer. It applies to all pending applications filed on or after July 1, 2026.
HB 69 transfers two specific parcels of land from Wyoming's Department of Health to other entities. The first parcel (28.94 acres) in Fremont County is conveyed to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, and the second parcel (90.87 acres) is transferred to the City of Lander for residential housing use. The transfers involve only the surface estate, require no payment of consideration (though closing costs are paid by the recipient entities), and must comply with existing easements and restrictions. This bill is purely procedural, authorizing land conveyances without creating new policy or affecting broader state land management.
HB 55 establishes Wyoming's Homestead Opportunity Program, selling state-owned land at $1 per acre (10-acre lots) to eligible Wyoming residents for single-family homes. It directly affects working families and individuals seeking affordable homeownership by prohibiting business entities from purchasing lots and limiting each person to a maximum of 25 acres statewide. Key provisions include requiring all lots to be used exclusively for single-family residences, mandating random allocation through public drawing, and allowing the state to reclaim land if rules are violated (e.g., selling to a business or exceeding acreage limits). The program aims to address housing shortages using surplus state lands while ensuring long-term residential use through perpetual covenants in property deeds.
HB 2, the Fast Track Permits Act, requires cities, towns, and counties in Wyoming to review residential building permit applications within strict deadlines. Local governments must notify applicants within 15 days if an application is incomplete and must approve or deny complete applications within 30 days (excluding delays for clarification or state/federal approvals). If deadlines are missed, permits are automatically approved as submitted the next day. The bill directly affects homebuilders applying for permits for detached single-family homes, townhouses, or small multi-unit projects under specific size and code limits, and the local governments that process these applications.