The bill establishes a new section in Wyoming law regarding wildlife mitigation and impact payments for industrial facilities. It requires eligible entities, such as the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account Board, to apply for wildlife impact payments from industrial facility applicants. The application process includes providing detailed information about the impacts on wildlife, potential mitigation efforts, and the estimated dollar amount of unmitigated impacts. The council will review the applications and evidence presented at public hearings to determine the total dollar amount of wildlife impact payments, which must be used for mitigating identified impacts.

Additionally, the bill amends several existing statutes to incorporate the new provisions related to wildlife impact payments. It specifies that the council will oversee the payment process, ensuring that funds are expended appropriately and that records are maintained by the eligible entities. The act will apply to all industrial facilities for which jurisdiction is determined on or after July 1, 2025, and mandates the industrial siting council to create necessary rules for implementation. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain sections becoming effective immediately upon the bill's passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-15-104, 18-5-509, 18-5-511, 35-11-109, 35-11-110, 35-11-2101, 35-12-102, 35-12-105, 35-12-110