Bill looks to amend Wyoming Constitution to provide tax relief 

State Senator Dave Kinskey (R – District 22) made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program to discuss a few of the results from the 2023 Wyoming Legislative Session. 

With property tax rate increases averaging 16 percent throughout the Cowboy State, Wyoming residents are feeling the pinch. 

Many bills were proposed, including one from Kinskey. But due to the manner in which the Wyoming Constitution is written, those bills could never gain traction. 

Proposals of statewide reduction in property tax rates also posed problems, especially for the smaller rural communities in Wyoming. 

Although the Senate managed to complete a bill, it died in the House. Kinskey told listeners that he was worried the session would conclude with very little being done to give relief to taxpayers. But a proposal arrived at the 11th hour. 

According to Kinskey, the bill in the Senate for a constitutional amendment to create property tax relief limited to “the elderly and infirm” – SJ3 – had languished in the House, awaiting action. Kinskey said it looked as though the bill would die there. 

Then, Tuesday of last week – the last week of the session – an amendment, proposed by Rep. Liz Storer (D -Jackson), was adopted by the House that completely reworked SJR3. 

As retooled, SJR3 would modify the Wyoming Constitution to create a fourth class of property tax – residential property, according to Kinskey. The changes to SJ3 also allowed a subclass of residential property – owner occupied primary residences.

Once approved by the voters the legislature could then tax owner occupied homes at more favorable rates than is currently possible.

The bill will now go to the voters during the Wyoming 2024 election. Kinskey told listeners the results of the bill should it become law, will not be seen for approximately another two years.