Bills of Interest

HB0058 Voter approval for mill levy imposition

Catch Title: Voter approval for mill levy imposition

Sponsor: Representative(s) Neiman, Bratten, Haroldson, Heiner, Lien, Rodriguez-Williams, and Schmid; Senator(s) Salazar and Steinmetz

Effective Date: Effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law.

Bill URL: https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2026/HB0058

Overview

This bill substantively changes the way specific property tax levies are imposed in Wyoming by requiring a vote of the people for taxes related to recreational facilities, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and special school programs . Historically, many of these levies could be imposed by administrative boards; under HB0058, they must be approved by a majority of qualified electors at a general election . Approved levies are limited to a four-year term, and existing levies not currently subject to voter approval are scheduled to expire by the end of 2028.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory Voter Approval: No tax can be levied for recreational facilities, BOCES programs, or additional special school purposes until the proposition is submitted to and approved by the qualified electors .
  • General Election Timing: All propositions to impose or continue these tax levies must be submitted to voters on the same date as a general election .
  • Standardized Four-Year Terms: Approved tax levies are valid for a term of four years .
  • Renewal Requirements: To continue a levy, a proposition must be submitted at the second general election following initial approval and every four years thereafter until defeated .
  • Cost Responsibility: Member school districts and community college districts are responsible for their proportioned share of the election costs as determined by the county clerk .
  • Expiration of Existing Levies: Any relevant levy imposed prior to the bill’s effective date will expire on December 31, 2028, unless a proposition for the levy is submitted to and approved by voters before that date .

Implications

  • Increased Funding Instability: Shifting these levies from board-level decisions to mandatory four-year re-approval cycles introduces significant recurring risk to the long-term stability of specialized educational and community recreational services.
  • Administrative Fiscal Burden: The requirement for local districts to pay for their share of election costs may be disproportionately burdensome for smaller or rural districts, where the cost of the ballot measure could consume a notable portion of the generated revenue .
  • Local Advocacy Burden: Because there are no provisions for state-funded voter education, the entire administrative and political responsibility of explaining and justifying the benefits of BOCES or recreational programs falls solely on local districts.
  • Barriers to Local Funding: Stakeholders have noted that the bill lacks a clear “problem statement” or identified Wyoming-specific issue it addresses, leading to concerns that its primary function is to create additional hurdles for local funding initiatives.
  • Limited Election Flexibility: By mandating that these issues only appear on general election ballots, the bill removes the ability for local entities to seek funding during special elections or at times that might align better with specific fiscal needs .
  • Compressed Renewal Windows: While the 2028 expiration date provides a window for renewals, the requirement to use general election dates means districts essentially have only the 2026 or 2028 cycles to secure their existing funding streams .

 

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