House committee of the whole advances acquisition‑value property tax bill after extended debate

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming House committee of the whole voted 35‑22 to advance House Bill 282 on Feb. 4 after extended floor debate and adoption of two committee amendments.

Representative Landon Locke, sponsor of House Bill 282, told members the measure is intended to move the state toward an acquisition‑value property tax system and to simplify implementation. "I consider this more property tax reform, more than anything," Locke said on the floor, describing a phased approach that rolls values back to 2019 and then applies an annual escalator.

The bill would set a base year value for residential property: for parcels last acquired on or before Dec. 31, 2019, the base year would be their fair‑market value on Jan. 1, 2019; purchases from 2020 through 2025 would use the fair‑market value in the year of purchase; and for properties acquired on or after Jan. 1, 2026 the acquisition price would serve as the base. After the base year the bill applies an annual adjustment equal to the lesser of 2% or the consumer price index. Locke said the measure also includes rules for…