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SF0112 • 2026

Elimination of license plate replacement cycle.

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; eliminating the requirement that license plates be reissued after a specified time; requiring replacement of license plates as specified; adding a fee for replacement license plates; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Inactive

Wyoming marks this bill as inactive, which usually means it is no longer moving in the current session.

Sponsor
Senator Kolb
Last action
2026-03-04
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2026

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not specify how often vehicle owners will need to replace their license plates or if the fee applies only to certain types of replacements. The implementation details are also unclear.

Elimination of License Plate Replacement Cycle

The bill removes the requirement for license plates to be replaced after a set time and instead requires replacement when they become unreadable, while adding a fee for such replacements.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes the need to replace license plates after a specific period of time.
  • Requires vehicle owners to get new plates if existing ones become unreadable or damaged.
  • Adds a fee for replacing license plates when they are no longer readable or visible.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Vehicle owners in Wyoming

Terms To Know

License plate replacement
Replacing the license plates on a vehicle due to them becoming unreadable or damaged, rather than after a set time.
Fee
A charge for getting new license plates when existing ones are no longer readable or visible.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how often vehicle owners will need to replace their license plates.
  • It is unclear if the fee applies only to certain types of replacements or all replacements.
  • There is no information on how the new replacement process will be implemented.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-04 Senate

    S:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to SR 5-4

  2. 2026-02-19 Senate

    S No report prior to CoW Cutoff

  3. 2026-02-17 Senate

    S08 - Transportation:Do Pass Failed 2-3-0-0-0

  4. 2026-02-12 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S08 - Transportation 30-1-0-0-0

  5. 2026-02-11 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  6. 2026-02-10 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
26LSO-0487
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0487
Numbered
2.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0112

Elimination of license plate replacement cycle.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Kolb, Boner, Crum, Driskill and Olsen and Representative(s) Neiman

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; eliminating the requirement that license plates be reissued after a specified time; requiring replacement of license plates as specified; adding a fee for replacement license plates; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
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W.S. 31
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2
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213(b), 31
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2
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219(d), 31
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2
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229(d), 31
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2
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231(d), 31
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2
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234(d), 31
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2
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235(c) and 31
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3
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102(a) by creating a new paragraph (xxiv) are amended to read:

31
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2
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213.

Department to supply registration certificates, plates and stickers; removable windshield placards.

(b)

The department may issue license plates, except permanent, dealer and antique motor vehicle license plates, which shall be valid
,

for not more than eight (8) years
if annual validation stickers are attached in the upper left corner of the license plate with the month and year of expiration clearly visible
and until any number or letter on either license plate is no longer readable or visible. If a license plate, except a permanent, dealer and antique motor vehicle license plate, is no longer readable or visible as provided in this subsection, the owner of the vehicle shall obtain two (2) replacement license plates upon payment of the fee under W.S. 31
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3
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102(a)(xxiv) from any county treasurer or the department if the vehicle was registered and the license plates were issued by the department. Replacement license plates issued under this subsection shall bear the same identification number as the initial license plates and shall replace both license plates. Replacement license plates issued under this subsection shall not be considered new license plates issued upon loss, mutilation or destruction under W.S. 31
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2
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212. For purposes of this subsection, "no longer readable or visible" means that one (1) or more numbers or letters on a license plate are permanently worn, faded, corroded or damaged so the numbers or letters on a license plate cannot clearly be identified under ordinary daylight conditions and shall not include temporary obscuration caused by snow, mud, ice or any other environmental conditions
. Department authorized license plates and annual stickers shall be of colors that are readily distinguishable from the previous year.

31
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2
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219.

University of Wyoming license plates.

(d)

The department shall prescribe the design of the special license plate authorized by this section, which shall include an image of the bucking horse and rider as described in W.S. 8
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3
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117, in consultation with the University of Wyoming, the University of Wyoming Alumni Association and the secretary of state's office, and arrange for production of the license plates.
Following initial approval, University of Wyoming plates shall be subject to redesign on the same schedule as all license plates beginning with the year 2017 reissuance.
The license plates shall be issued by the county treasurer of each county.

31
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2
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229.

Special plates; gold star.

(d)

The department shall prescribe the design of the gold star license plate authorized by this section in consultation with the Wyoming veteran's commission and shall arrange for production of the license plates.

Following initial approval, the gold star license plates shall be subject to redesign on the same schedule as all license plates beginning with the year 2017 reissuance.
The license plates shall be issued by the county treasurer of each county.

31
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2
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231.

Wildlife conservation license plates; wildlife conservation account; authority to receive and expend monies.

(d)

The department shall prescribe the design of the wildlife conservation license plates authorized by this section in consultation with the public and other interested parties, which shall include an image of the bucking horse and rider described in W.S. 8
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3
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117.

License plates authorized by this section need not include Arabic numerals designating the county. The department shall arrange for production of the license plates.
Following initial approval, wildlife conservation license plates shall be subject to redesign on the same schedule as all license plates beginning with the year 2025 reissuance.

31
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2
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234.

Search and rescue license plates.

(d)

The department shall prescribe the design of the search and rescue license plates authorized by this section in consultation with the public and other interested parties, which shall include an image of the bucking horse and rider described in W.S. 8
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3
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117. License plates authorized by this section need not include Arabic numerals designating the county. The department shall arrange for production of the license plates.
Following initial approval, search and rescue license plates shall be subject to redesign on the same schedule as all license plates beginning with the year 2033 reissuance.

31
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2
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235.

Rodeo license plates.

(c)

The department shall prescribe the design of the rodeo license plates authorized by this section. The rodeo license plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle license plates and need not include arabic numerals for the county. The department shall include the following language on the license plate: "Rodeo

— The official sport of Wyoming." The department shall arrange for production of the license plates.
Following initial approval, rodeo license plates shall be subject to redesign on the same schedule as all license plates beginning with the 2033 reissuance.

31
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3
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102.

Miscellaneous fees.

(a)

The following fees shall be collected for the instruments or privileges indicated:

(xxiv)

Replacement license plates:

(A)

Replacement license plates if an initial license plate is no longer readable or visible as provided in W.S. 31
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2
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213(b) . . . . . . . . . . . .

$8.00

(B)

Replacement license plates that have to be produced for prestige, specialty and preferred number series if an initial license plate is no longer readable or visible as provided in W.S. 31
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2
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213(b) . . . . . . $30.00.

Section 2
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This act is effective July 1, 2026
.

(END)

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SF0112