During the Wyoming Legislature’s “interim” session this summer and fall, small groups of lawmakers met as committees to discuss specific issues and to craft bills to sponsor for the 2026 budget session, which starts Feb. 9.
Better Wyoming volunteers have engaged with a number of these issues, often attending or testifying at meetings, writing op-eds, and contacting lawmakers.
In a series of blog posts, we bring folks up to date with where committees landed and what folks can expect during the session.
ISSUE: The legislature significantly cut property taxes already, reducing revenue for schools, local government, and basic public services. Now, some lawmakers want to abolish all residential property taxes.
COMMITTEE: Joint Revenue Committee
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OVERVIEW
Read Better Wyoming’s Property Tax FAQ here
Wyoming’s property tax rate is among the lowest in the nation, but soaring property values from during the COVID-19 pandemic left homeowners in all 23 counties with larger-than-usual tax bills, which many some had problems paying.
Prior to 2025, the Legislature passed a series of targeted cuts and support for people who needed it. This included seniors who’ve paid taxes on their homes for more than 25 years, and income-based rebate programs.
But last year, when the Freedom Caucus took over the Legislature, lawmakers passed a 25% across-the-board tax cut that significantly reduced tax revenues for county and city governments that provide basic public services, including law enforcement, water and sewer, roads and bridges and emergency medical services.
Other entities like hospitals, community colleges, libraries, cemeteries, and park maintenance departments saw funding cuts as a result, as well.
Small counties suffer the most because the property tax cuts affect a higher percentage of their budget compared to large counties.
For example, Big Horn County imposed a hiring freeze, Hot Springs County ended its popular 4-H program, and several counties closed their libraries.
But as legislators prepare to campaign after the session, many believe passing more property tax cuts—or getting rid of them altogether—is the way to keep their seats.
BUDGET SESSION
The Joint Revenue Committee—despite hearing from homeowners, elected officials, and special districts that additional tax breaks will further erode public services—is now sponsoring a resolution for the 2026 budget session to eliminate all residential property taxes in Wyoming.
That extreme measure would require a constitutional amendment, which needs two-thirds support by both the House and Senate and then approval by a majority who vote on the amendment in November’s general election.
The panel proposed raising state sales taxes from 4% to 6% to make up a portion of lost revenue. This tradeoff would nevertheless cost local services hundreds of millions of dollars in funding.
Meanwhile, sales tax is “regressive,” meaning that it burdens lower income residents more, proportionally, than rich people.
The committee will also sponsor other bills during the 2026 budget session that affect the way property taxes are assessed and remove the expiration date on a long-term homeowner exemption program.
BEYOND THE SESSION: BALLOT QUESTION
Everything the Legislature will do on taxes during the 2026 budget session will take place in the shadow of a looming question that will appear on the general election ballot this year, in November.
Voters will be asked at that time whether they want to cut their own residential property taxes by another 50 percent.
If the Legislature approves the Revenue Committee’s proposed amendment to eliminate property taxes, that question will appear on the ballot side-by-side with the question of the 50 percent cut, and voters will get to decide.
COMING UP
The Legislature will convene on Feb. 9. All bills, including those sponsored by committees, must pass a two-thirds introductory vote to be considered during the budget session.