2.18.25 Legislative Update
Valued WHTC Members,
The 68th Wyoming Legislature begins its sixth week today. The general session will last 37 working days until Thursday, March 6 (three extra days will be available if needed.) To date, the legislature's website lists 555 bills and resolutions.
Your association supports legislation that promotes a thriving hospitality andy and opposes any legislation that would diminish it. We will update you every Monday throughout the session on everything related to hospitality and tourism in the Wyoming Legislature.
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HB 1/SF 1 Supplemental Budget
Wyoming’s supplemental budget for the coming year. Thank you very much to everyone who reached out to their legislators or was on call waiting for a call to action last week. It turned out we did not send one out, and there were only minor attempts to raid the tourism budget. All of them were defeated except for an amendment in the House for $200,000 towards search and rescue funding. The Wyoming Office of Tourism equity adjustments that were a part of Governor Gordon’s supplemental budget request passed in the Senate but were defeated in the House after a lengthy debate where numerous industry champions stood and spoke in favor. All of this will be worked out in a Joint Conference Committee, hopefully this week.
Status: We are awaiting the Joint Conference Committee action—hopefully this week.
HB 5 Fishing Outfitters and Guides-Registration of Fishing Boats
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0005
Authorizes Wyoming Game and Fish to regulate commercially guided fishing boats.
Status: Passed the House and assigned to the Senate Travel Committee.
SF 42 Resort Hotel Liquor Licenses
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/SF0042
Establishes a new liquor license titled “Resort Hotel Liquor License” for resort hotels with at least 20 rooms, meeting space for at least 50, full food service, and at least $5 million in valuation. It would allow for alcohol to be delivered to rooms.
Status: Passed the Senate and on Third Reading in the House.
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HB 33 Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Distribution-Highway Fund
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0033
Effective July 1, 2025, would transfer all sales and use taxes paid on motor vehicles and trailers to the highway fund instead of the state’s general fund.
Status: Passed the House and re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SF 48 Business Property Exemption
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/SF0048
Exempts the first $50,000 of fair market value from taxation.
Status: Passed the Senate and passed Second Reading in the House.
SF 72 Summer Vacation Preservation Act
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/SF0072
Reduces the number of school days required by school districts and would have the school year start after Labor Day and end by Memorial Day. Bill would allow districts to petition the Board of Education for an alternate calendar if desired.
Status: Passed the Senate and on Committee of the Whole in the House.
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HB 29 Severance Tax Distribution-Highway Fund
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0029
Would divert severance tax collection to the highway fund instead of the state’s savings and school savings accounts starting in 2026.
HB 77 Ride-Share Drivers-Wyoming Registration Required
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0077
Requires ride-share drivers to be registered in Wyoming.
HB 106 Monument to America
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0106
Establishes a task force to study the potential of creating a “Monument to America” to coincide with the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
HB 163 Prohibiting Employment of Unauthorized Aliens
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0163
Bill would penalize employers who hire unauthorized aliens. $1000 per employee for the first offense. $5000 per employee for the second offense. There are no provisions exempting employers who make legitimate, good-faith efforts to ensure they hire authorized workers.
HB 175 Wyoming Veterans Museum Capitol Construction
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0175
Creates a task force to study renovating the Wyoming Veterans Museum. Takes $5 million from the Wyoming Tourism Account to fund study and renovations.
HB 212 Local Sales and Use Tax Amendments
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0212
Bill would change the percentage of municipalities needed for renewal of sales and use taxes, including the local option lodging tax, from 50% to 75%. It would also allow local governments to renew every two years instead of every four.
HB 277 Capitol Complex-Hotel and Conference Center
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0277
Would authorize the construction of a hotel and conference center on the Capitol grounds in Cheyenne. The hotel would have no less than 200 rooms and the conference center would accommodate no less than 1000 attendees. The property would be built and run through a public/private partnership. The only reason this bill is a monitor is because it is unlikely to move forward. Should it get traction, the WHTC will weigh in with a position.
HB 290 Property Tax Reduction and Replacement Act
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0290
Would exempt the first $1,000,000 of residential property value from property tax and would increase state sales tax by 2%
For any questions or concerns related to the session, please contact WHTC Executive Director Chris Brown at chris@wyohtc.org.