HB0226

Establishes a special license plate program to fund search and rescue activities in Wyoming.

• Allows vehicle owners to apply for search and rescue license plates by paying a $100 eligibility fee to the department, with optional additional voluntary donations. Annual renewal requires a $25 fee (waived in the initial year), with optional additional donations. (W.S. 31-2-234(a))
• Directs all fees collected from the license plate program to be deposited in a search and rescue account within the office of homeland security and continuously appropriated for search and rescue purposes. (W.S. 31-2-234(b), W.S. 19-13-301)
• Authorizes the office of homeland security to accept and solicit voluntary contributions in support of search and rescue activities for deposit into the search and rescue account. (W.S. 31-2-234(b)(ii))
• Requires applicants to apply at least 30 days before vehicle registration is required and subjects the plates to standard license plate requirements and fees in addition to the special program fees. (W.S. 31-2-234(c))
• Directs the department to design search and rescue license plates in consultation with the public, incorporating the bucking horse and rider image, and authorizes redesign on the same schedule as standard plates beginning in 2033. (W.S. 31-2-234(d))
• Requires the department to eliminate the search and rescue plates from production and report to the legislature if fewer than 1,000 sets of plates are issued by December 31, 2032. (W.S. 31-2-234(f))
• Authorizes the state treasurer to receive and credit grants, donations, and bequests made to the search and rescue account and to invest such funds with earnings deposited back into the account. (W.S. 19-13-301(d))
• Amends vehicle registration statutes to include search and rescue license plates among the types of special plates covered by replacement procedures and to add a donation option on registration applications. (W.S. 31-2-212, W.S. 31-2-225(a)(vii), W.S. 31-3-101(k))

Effective: July 1, 2025