The bill establishes a new category of motor vehicle license plates in Wyoming, specifically designed to support search and rescue efforts. Under the new section W.S. 31-2-234, individuals registering non-commercial vehicles can apply for these specialized plates by paying an initial fee of $150, along with an optional donation to support search and rescue activities. An annual fee of $50 will be required to maintain eligibility for these plates, although this fee is waived in the year the initial fee is paid. The funds collected from these fees will be directed to a dedicated search and rescue account within the office of homeland security, which will manage the funds for related activities.

Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes to incorporate provisions for these new license plates, including the option for vehicle owners to donate additional funds for search and rescue operations when applying for vehicle registration. The design of the plates will include an image of the bucking horse and rider, and they will not display county designations. The bill stipulates that if at least 1,000 sets of these plates are not issued by December 31, 2032, production will cease. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with the plates becoming available starting January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19-13-301, 31-2-212, 31-2-225, 31-3-101
Engrossed: 19-13-301, 31-2-212, 31-2-225, 31-3-101