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Wyoming2025Enacted

HB0075

Lowering Coal Tax for Surface Mining

Last scannedOct 24, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal mining from 6.5% to 6%, and updates related distribution rules.

What it does

  • Reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal from 6.5% to 6%
  • Updates the distribution of taxes, reducing one part from 1.5% to 1%

Who it affects

  • Coal mining companies in Wyoming
  • State and local governments receiving coal severance taxes

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much money will be saved or gained by companies.
  • It only affects surface coal mining, not underground coal mining.

Plain language

Terms to know

Severance Tax
A tax on the removal of natural resources like coal from a state.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill Summary - 25LSO-0295 Bill No.: HB0075 Effective: 7/1/2025 LSO No.: 25LSO-0295 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0011 Chapter No.: 31 Prime Sponsor: Clouston Catch Title: Coal severance tax rate. Has Report: No Subject: Coal severance tax rate. Summary/Major Elements: This bill reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal from six and one ‑ half percent (6.5%) to six percent (6%). 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, 3:48 AM

Cale Case

R · S25

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker states that previous tax breaks did not change production levels but resulted in dividends for shareholders, concluding the bill only transfers money to coal companies.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:28:13 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker believes the railroads, not the coal companies or people of Wyoming, will be the primary beneficiaries of any savings from the tax reduction.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:29:32 Watch the statement

Eric Barlow

R · S23

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker argues that since it was the coal companies' money to begin with, letting them keep a larger portion of their revenue is positive.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:30:39 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker supports the bill while emphasizing that coal is a finite asset belonging to future generations and requires prudent fiscal policy.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:31:38 Watch the statement

Larry Hicks

R · S11

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker notes that reducing the tax takes money away from fundamental government activities like water development and city services.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:34:56 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker argues that continuing to cut severance tax revenue without diversifying the tax base prevents the government from operating effectively.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:37:21 Watch the statement

Bill Landen

R · S27

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker warns that once the tax is removed, it cannot be restored for future generations who will lose out on those resources.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:39:01 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

4 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-8-0-0-02025-02-18 · Senate23 yes 8 no
S03 - Revenue:Recommend Do Pass 3-1-1-0-02025-02-12 · Senate3 yes 1 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 57-4-1-0-02025-01-27 · House57 yes 4 no
H09 - Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 8-0-1-0-02025-01-20 · House8 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 31LSO
  2. Governor Signed HEA No. 0011 Governor
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0011Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0011House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0011LSO
  6. S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-8-0-0-0Senate
  7. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  8. S COW:PassedSenate
  9. S Placed on General FileSenate
  10. S03 - Revenue:Recommend Do Pass 3-1-1-0-0Senate
  11. S Introduced and Referred to S03 - RevenueSenate
  12. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  13. H 3rd Reading:Passed 57-4-1-0-0House
  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 - MineralsHouse
  19. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  20. Bill Number AssignedLSO