Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes setting the tax rate for ten years, preferring to wait five years and reassess based on future needs.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:09:54 Watch the statement
Wyoming2020Enacted
SF0085
Uranium Tax Relief Act
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM
In one sentence
This law changes how uranium is taxed by reducing taxes for companies producing uranium between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2025 based on market prices.
What it does
- Reduces the severance tax rate for uranium production from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025.
- Sets a new tax rate that ranges from 0% to 5%, depending on the spot market price of nonenriched uranium concentrate (U3O8) as determined by an average of specified international indexes like NUEXCO and Ux.
- Requires companies to be up-to-date with their property taxes in the county where they extract uranium to qualify for tax relief.
Who it affects
- Companies that produce uranium between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2025.
- Counties in Wyoming where uranium is extracted.
Limits and unknowns
- The tax relief only applies to uranium production between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2025.
- Companies must not have any unpaid property taxes in the county where they extract uranium to qualify for lower rates.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Severance tax
- A tax on the extraction or removal of natural resources from land.
- Spot market price
- The current price at which a commodity, such as uranium, can be bought or sold for immediate delivery.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Bill Summary - 20LSO-0502 Bill No.: SF0085 Effective: 7/1/2020 12:00:00 AM LSO No.: 20LSO-0502 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0057 Chapter No.: 120 Prime Sponsor: Boner Catch Title: Uranium taxation rates. Subject: Temporary decrease in uranium severance tax rate. Summary/Major Elements: The bill decreases the severance tax imposed upon any uranium production occurring after December 31, 2020 and before January 1, 2026. For the prescribed period of time, the severance tax imposed upon uranium will be based upon the value of the gross product extracted each month for which the spot market price per pound of nonenriched uranium concentrate (U3O8) is at least thirty dollars ($30.00). The severance tax imposed will vary from zero percent (0%) to five percent (5%) depending on the uranium spot market price as determined by an average of specified international price indexes. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Why lawmakers voted
Last checked Aug 11, 6:33 PM
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports a five-year window instead of ten because market fluctuations make the longer timeframe inappropriate.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:10:14 Watch the statement
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the ten-year timeframe due to market volatility and the associated economic risk.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:11:02 Watch the statement
Landon Brown
R · H09
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports voting aye on the amendment because they intend to offer a constitutional amendment for a longer duration later.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:11:21 Watch the statement
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the ten-year timeframe to save future legislators from having to revisit the issue in five years.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:11:43 Watch the statement
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges members to vote based on their conscience, citing historical data showing uranium prices have not reached certain thresholds in recent years.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:11:56 Watch the statement
Brian Boner
R · S02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendments as a good compromise where producers pay more when times are good in exchange for near-term tax breaks.
Public statementFloor statement at 5:36:05 Watch the statement
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports a tax holiday to ensure uranium companies remain solvent, keep employees working, and prevent defaults as their contracts expire.
Public statementFloor statement at 3:24:00 Watch the statement
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker expresses confusion about supporting the bill because it results in zero revenue from uranium mining, effectively giving away state resources without financial return.
Public statementFloor statement at 3:34:00 Watch the statement
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges support for the bill by highlighting Wyoming's significant uranium reserves and predicting a future thriving industry after current market lows.
Public statementFloor statement at 3:38:00 Watch the statement
Bo Biteman
R · S21
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment by clarifying that royalties are still collected, meaning the mineral is not being given away for free.
Public statementFloor statement at 17:06 Watch the statement
Cale Case
R · S25
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to ensure future generations receive some revenue from extracted minerals rather than having them taken without compensation.
Public statementFloor statement at 19:20 Watch the statement
Brian Boner
R · S02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment by explaining that keeping mines open is necessary to survive until federal policy changes raise prices, at which point taxes would naturally increase.
Public statementFloor statement at 21:04 Watch the statement
Chris Rothfuss
D · S09
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because severance taxes are essential for funding state infrastructure and schools, which are necessary to support jobs.
Public statementFloor statement at 22:16 Watch the statement
Eli D Bebout
S26
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because maintaining mines now ensures they can benefit from future price increases, whereas shutting them down could permanently eliminate that revenue source.
Public statementFloor statement at 24:59 Watch the statement
Charles Scott
R · S30
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to maintain the principle of collecting some severance tax on all minerals while providing relief to an industry facing prices below production costs.
Public statementFloor statement at 28:18 Watch the statement
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
Recorded votes
7 roll calls
S Concur:Passed 22-4-4-0-02020-03-11 · Senate22 yes 4 no
- Yes
- 22
- No
- 4
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 4
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 22
Affie EllisS08Anthony BouchardS06Bo BitemanR · S21Brian BonerR · S02Charles ScottR · S30Cheri SteinmetzR · S03Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Eli D BeboutS26Fred A BaldwinS14Glenn W MonizS10Jeff WasserburgerS23Jim AndersonR · S28Larry HicksR · S11Lynn HutchingsR · S05Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24RJ KostS19Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04Tom JamesS13Wendy SchulerR · S15
H 3rd Reading:Passed 45-15-0-0-02020-03-11 · House45 yes 15 no
- Yes
- 45
- No
- 15
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 45
Art WashutR · H36Carl R LoucksH59Charles J GrayH57Clarence StyvarR · H12Clark D StithH48Clifford M JenningsH30Cyrus WesternH51Dan FurphyH14Dan R KirkbrideH04Dan ZwonitzerH43Danny EyreH19David E NorthrupH50David R MillerH55Donald E Burkhart JrH15Eric BarlowR · H03Evan J SimpsonH21Garry C PiiparinenH49Hans HuntH02Jamie L FlitnerH26Jared OlsenR · H11Jerry A ObermuellerH56Jerry D PaxtonH47John C EklundH10John WinterR · H28Joseph E MacGuireH35LARSEN LLOYDLAURSEN DANLandon BrownR · H09Mark S KinnerH29Michael D GreearH27Patrick SweeneyH58Richard TassH40Robert A ClausenH06Roy H EdwardsH53Sandy NewsomeH24Scott M ClemH31Shelly DuncanH05Steve HarshmanR · H37Theodore J BlackburnH42Thomas D CrankH18Tim SalazarR · H34Timothy P HallinanH32Tyler E LindholmH01William D HendersonH41William H PownallH52
H03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-2-0-0-02020-03-09 · House7 yes 2 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-7-0-0-02020-02-26 · Senate23 yes 7 no
- Yes
- 23
- No
- 7
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 23
Anthony BouchardS06Bill LandenR · S27Bo BitemanR · S21Brian BonerR · S02Charles ScottR · S30Cheri SteinmetzR · S03Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Eli D BeboutS26Fred A BaldwinS14Glenn W MonizS10Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Larry HicksR · S11Lynn HutchingsR · S05Mike GierauD · S17Ogden DriskillR · S01RJ KostS19Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04Tom JamesS13Wyatt AgarS20
Amendment failed 11-19-0-0-02020-02-25 · Senate11 yes 19 no
- Yes
- 11
- No
- 19
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 11
No 19
Anthony BouchardS06Bo BitemanR · S21Brian BonerR · S02Cheri SteinmetzR · S03Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Eli D BeboutS26Glenn W MonizS10Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Larry HicksR · S11Lynn HutchingsR · S05Ogden DriskillR · S01RJ KostS19Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04Tom JamesS13Wyatt AgarS20
S03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 3-2-0-0-02020-02-20 · Senate3 yes 2 no
- Yes
- 3
- No
- 2
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
S Introduced and Referred to S03 - Revenue 23-6-1-0-02020-02-11 · Senate23 yes 6 no
- Yes
- 23
- No
- 6
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 1
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 23
Affie EllisS08Anthony BouchardS06Bill LandenR · S27Bo BitemanR · S21Brian BonerR · S02Charles ScottR · S30Cheri SteinmetzR · S03Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Eli D BeboutS26Fred A BaldwinS14Glenn W MonizS10Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Larry HicksR · S11Lynn HutchingsR · S05Ogden DriskillR · S01RJ KostS19Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04Tom JamesS13Wendy SchulerR · S15
No 6
Excused 1
Official activity
Bill history
- Assigned Chapter Number 120LSO
- Governor Signed SEA No. 0057 Governor
- H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0057House
- S President Signed SEA No. 0057Senate
- Assigned Number SEA No. 0057LSO
- S Concur:Passed 22-4-4-0-0Senate
- S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
- H 3rd Reading:Passed 45-15-0-0-0House
- H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
- H COW:PassedHouse
- H Placed on General FileHouse
- H03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-2-0-0-0House
- H Introduced and Referred to H03 - RevenueHouse
- H Received for IntroductionHouse
- S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-7-0-0-0Senate
- S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
- S COW:PassedSenate
- S Placed on General FileSenate
- S03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 3-2-0-0-0Senate
- S Introduced and Referred to S03 - Revenue 23-6-1-0-0Senate
Changes
Amendments
10 stored
The amendment changes the date from which certain uranium taxation provisions will expire from December 31, 2031 to December 31, 2026.
The amendment changes the uranium severance tax rate from 0% to 0.5%.
The amendment changes how uranium severance taxes are calculated and adds a new requirement for taxpayers to be certified by the county treasurer before they can qualify for certain tax rates.
The amendment changes the uranium severance tax rate when the spot market price is $60.00 or more.
The amendment removes three previous amendments to a bill about uranium taxation.
The amendment changes the uranium severance tax rate from 4% to 5%.
The amendment changes the wording of a bill about uranium taxes by removing certain phrases and adjusting percentages.
The amendment modifies the uranium taxation bill by changing specific dates and percentages, and it also adds a new provision to repeal certain sections.
The amendment changes the wording and dates in a bill about uranium taxation, removes some sections, and adds new text.
The amendment changes the uranium severance tax rate from 0% to 0.5%.