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Wyoming2024Enacted

HB0035

Limitation on Environmental Rules to Federal Standards

Last scannedOct 13, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law requires Wyoming's environmental quality council to make rules no stricter than federal laws for programs where the state has control over federal regulations, with exceptions.

What it does

  • Requires the environmental quality council to create rules that are not more strict than federal laws for programs where the state maintains primacy over federal regulations.
  • Allows the department of environmental quality to identify situations where stricter rules might be needed and report these cases.
  • Directs the director of the department of environmental quality to consult with regulated stakeholders, list existing rules needing review, and provide a timeline for that review.

Who it affects

  • The environmental quality council
  • Department of Environmental Quality
  • Regulated stakeholders

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not specify what happens if stricter rules are needed for public health or safety.
  • It is unclear how this will affect Wyoming's ability to address unique local environmental issues.

Plain language

Terms to know

Primacy
When a state has the main authority to enforce federal regulations.
Regulated stakeholders
Companies and organizations that must follow environmental rules set by the government.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill Summary - 24LSO-0206 Bill No.: HB0035 Effective: 7/1/2024 LSO No.: 24LSO-0206 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0016 Chapter No.: 22 Prime Sponsor: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Interim Committee Catch Title: Limitation on environmental rulemaking. Has Report: Yes Subject: Limitation on environmental rulemaking. Summary/Major Elements: This act requires the environmental quality council to promulgate rules that are no more stringent than federal law, rules or regulations applicable to any federal program that the state maintains primacy over. This act does not apply if the department of environmental quality identifies the need for rules that are more stringent than federal law, rules or regulations in its statement of principal reasons that accompanies the state rulemaking process. Comments: This act requires the director of the department of environmental quality to report to the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee not later than July 2, 2024 a list of existing rules to be reviewed by the director of the department of environmental quality to conform existing rules to the requirements of this act, including a timeline for conducting that review. This act requires the environmental quality council to promulgate or repeal any rules necessary to administer this act in accordance with the changes identified by the director of the department of environmental quality. 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 5, 6:51 AM

Couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-2-2-0-02024-02-29 · Senate27 yes 2 no
S09 - Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02024-02-26 · Senate5 yes 0 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 58-4-0-0-02024-02-21 · House58 yes 4 no
H09 - Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 8-0-1-0-02024-02-16 · House8 yes 0 no
H Introduced and Referred to H09 - Minerals 59-1-2-0-02024-02-12 · House59 yes 1 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 22LSO
  2. Governor Signed HEA No. 0016 Governor
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0016Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0016House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0016LSO
  6. S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-2-2-0-0Senate
  7. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  8. S COW:PassedSenate
  9. S Placed on General FileSenate
  10. S09 - Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  11. S Introduced and Referred to S09 - MineralsSenate
  12. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  13. H 3rd Reading:Passed 58-4-0-0-0House
  14. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  15. H COW:PassedHouse
  16. H Placed on General FileHouse
  17. H09 - Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 8-0-1-0-0House
  18. H Introduced and Referred to H09 - Minerals 59-1-2-0-0House
  19. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  20. Bill Number AssignedLSO