WyoFile is committed to ensuring our readers have the verifiable, factual information they need to participate effectively in civic life, including pertinent information about what’s happening at the statehouse during the session. We believe Wyoming residents need to know where lawmakers stand on important issues and what interests might influence their decisions. WyoFile will examine the Legislature’s efforts to address Wyoming’s most pressing issues. Here’s the latest:
Special session goes to lawmakers for a vote
Lawmakers have until Sunday evening to cast their vote for what would be third special session in four years.
Among first states to ban red flag laws, Wyoming tests its prohibition’s constitutionality
Ban’s mention of federal laws and courts spurs some constitutional concerns.
Special session looms as leadership reconsiders despite reservations
Momentum toward a special session is growing. But if lawmakers return to Cheyenne, they’ll open the door to a gathering where everything is on the table. Meanwhile, the Freedom Caucus is hailing the reversal as a victory.
Legislative leadership rejects Freedom Caucus call for special session
Speaker of the House Sommers, Senate President Driskill say returning to Cheyenne would be costly and ineffective.
Gordon signs budget; Freedom Caucus calls for special session to override his vetoes
The governor approved the final product but expressed disappointment in the contentious legislative session.
Wyoming governor shoots down bill to eliminate gun-free zones
Following a list of “Second-Amendment friendly” bills that Gordon did sign Friday, he vetoed HB 125 over concerns it would violate the state constitution.
Gordon vetoes Wyoming abortion regulations, ultrasound requirement
Citing the need for legal resolution on two bans tied up in court, Gov. Mark Gordon — for the first time in three years — vetoed legislation that could limit abortion.
Wyoming bans most gender-affirming medical care for children
Gov. Gordon signs ban, yet calls it “straying into the personal affairs of families.”
Gordon narrows ‘education savings account’ income eligibility, signs bill into law
Governor cites constitutionality concerns in his decision to lower poverty-level eligibility standards for families that opt for state money to pay for private education costs. He made the change through a line-item veto to a contentious bill.
Gordon signs property tax relief package into law
The governor approved most, but not all of Legislature’s bills aimed at helping homeowners.
University of Wyoming leaders signal support for DEI programs ahead of governor’s budget decision
Trustees listened to hours of testimony Thursday from supporters of the UW’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Gov. Gordon has until Saturday to decide whether to veto a section of the budget that bars UW spending on DEI.
UW grapples with uncertain future of diversity, equity and inclusion on campus
The University of Wyoming’s board of trustees will discuss the future of diversity, equity and inclusion programming following lawmakers’ recent adoption of a state budget item targeting funds for these resources.
Gordon axes bill modified to fight against Casper Mountain gravel pit plan
Senate File 44 was originally intended to ease permitting for “limited mining operations” but was revised in response to community opposition to a proposed gravel pit on Casper Mountain.
Wyoming’s 988 suicide lifeline financially secure, even without a fully funded trust, lawmakers say
While the trust fund didn’t receive enough money this budget session to fund 988 in perpetuity, lawmakers say it’s not at risk of shutting down.
Gordon vetoes Legislature’s $75M land-use legal fund spurred by Rock Springs plan
Taking on the federal government in court — however necessary — is not the job of lawmakers, Gordon wrote in his veto letter.
Five things the Wyoming Legislature did to ease rising property taxes
During a session largely defined by conflict, lawmakers were mostly united when it came to property tax relief. It’s now up to Gov. Mark Gordon to decide what will become law.
Wyoming lawmaker patches a divided Senate together
The Legislature’s 2024 budget session is in the books, but not before the Wyoming Senate’s cast of characters was memorialized in a quilt.
Fed’s plan for southwest Wyoming triggers new state laws of questionable constitutionality
A fund for the Legislature to sue the federal government has constitutional issues, and one attorney-legislator says another bill pits the branches of government against each other.
Wyoming will ban marijuana substitute delta-8; burgeoning industry’s future uncertain
Head shops around the state are scrambling to understand what this will mean and whether this will close their doors for good. Most of the law goes into effect in July.
Gordon’s energy initiatives survive opposition from climate deniers
Lawmakers peddling climate misinformation went after the governor’s energy matching funds and signature coal carbon capture mandate.
Wyoming Legislature narrowly passes budget after session of strife
After a rocky and circuitous journey through the 2024 Legislature, the budget bill is headed to the governor’s desk one day after he took the statehouse to task for not getting the job done.
The end of most ‘gun-free zones’ draws near in Wyoming as lawmakers shoot down exemptions
Before passing the legislation, the Wyoming Senate rejected two amendments: One proposed giving public hospitals the authority to regulate firearms, another would have required concealed-carriers to notify school district superintendents.
Senate approves private-school voucher program
The heavily amended bill is now unconstitutional, critics say. Supporter calls it a “universal school choice” measure.
No election bills survive the session
Lawmakers introduced nine bills aimed at election integrity and campaign finance transparency. None of them made it across the finish line.
Gov. Gordon signs outdoor recreation funding bill into law
Law creates board that will award money from state’s outdoor recreation and tourism trust fund to infrastructure and access projects. The program is intended to give the state more say in the growth and impacts of the burgeoning outdoor industry.
Residents rally against proposed Casper Mountain gravel pit
Just as the Legislature was set to ease permitting for “limited” mining, the dustup on Casper Mountain convinced lawmakers to push some considerations for further study.
Senate leader kills compensation program for elk-eaten grass
Time runs out on controversial legislation after Senate Majority Floor Leader Larry Hicks buried it at the bottom of the list.
Lawmakers strike budget deal that restores funding for school construction, Gordon energy initiative
A new set of negotiators successfully picked up the pieces after budget talks imploded Monday night. But the work’s not over yet — both the House and the Senate will need to approve the bill.
Shot down, resuscitated: Wyoming Senate bucks precedent to target gun-free zones
The Wyoming Senate overruled its president, countermanded its Rules Committee and reversed its Judiciary committee to revive a controversial gun bill that died the day before.
Curbs on foreign land ownership, immigrant driver’s licenses fail in House
Restricting foreign influence and immigration in Wyoming is a top priority for some lawmakers. But their attempts to keep legislation alive failed Tuesday.
Transvaginal ultrasounds likely required by Wyoming’s new abortion regulations
House Bill 148 requires women to get an ultrasound 48 hours before an abortion. A similar requirement caused uproar in Utah from opponents who believed the government shouldn’t be mandating an invasive form of the procedure.
Chaos grips Wyoming Legislature after budget negotiations implode
After the House called a stalemate on budget talks and sought a clean slate, the Senate plunged into a tailspin of accusations.
Wyoming’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors advances
Senate File 99 would ban surgery, puberty blockers and hormone therapies as forms of gender-affirming care for minors. Backers say such treatments should wait, but critics argue a ban represents government intrusion on medical decisions.
School choice bill sheds early childhood component as it advances through Senate
Legislation has been killed and revived, amended heavily and contested by everyone from the Wyoming Education Association to homeschool parents.
Clock ticks on budget as House awaits Senate counteroffer
Senate negotiators appointed for their conservatism have yet to respond to a House proposal made Thursday. Lawmakers are already out of time to respond to potential gubernatorial vetoes.
House fights for Senate-axed school construction funds in budget negotiations
Rock Springs and Jackson, accused of jumping the priorities line, desperately need improved facilities, district leaders say.
Medicaid expansion can’t pass the Legislature. So what’s the alternative?
No obvious alternatives have emerged from the Wyoming statehouse. But a few imperfect options remain.
Glocks in the Capitol? Pistols on playgrounds? Wyoming looks to ban gun-free zones
A prohibition against gun bans in governmental facilities with few exceptions is breezing through the Legislature. Representatives in the House shot down efforts to retain local control.
House, Senate square off over funding for Gordon’s energy strategy
Whether the Legislature should cede spending authority over some $430 million to the executive branch could complicate budget negotiations between the chambers.
Wyoming ban on delta-8, similar hemp products nears finish line
Senate File 32 only has a few votes left on the House floor before reaching the governor’s desk. Businesses that sell delta-8 products say the ban would likely force them to close.
Senate and House must bridge $1.1 billion budget chasm — and soon
Budget talks between the Wyoming Legislature’s two chambers kicked off Wednesday. Negotiators have major differences to resolve and only days to do it.
Ultrasound, waiting-period requirements added to Wyoming abortion restriction bill
Sponsors say, once again, the additional regulations are about safety. And once again, opponents argue it’s about eliminating abortion.
‘Unrestricted hunting’ out, market value in, as elk damage payments bill advances
Lawmakers reduce rancher compensation for wildlife-eaten grass from 150% to 100%, but shoot down guaranteed access for public hunters.
Bill granting greater access to police records for misconduct inquiries advances
Senate committee endorsed a bill to provide the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission with personnel records needed to investigate police misconduct.
Property tax reform faces tight legislative timeline
The Legislature started with 20 property-tax bills. With less than two weeks left in the session, lawmakers still have seven options to whittle down.
Advocates hope to clear confusion around outdoor recreation funding bill
Student lobbyists worked to counter confusion about the bill in committee. They hope lawmakers get educated before they consider it on the Senate floor.
Gordon’s key climate and energy funding tool in budget crosshairs
A Senate amendment would block or otherwise “sweep” some $400 million back into savings and budget accounts due to concerns over spending authority. It comes amid far-right backlash over the governor’s energy policies.
Big spending needed to halt Wyoming’s ‘losing battle’ against cheatgrass
The governor’s $20 million request to combat invasive grasses was slashed 75% by the appropriations committee before being partly restored.
With the suicide lifeline bill’s defeat, funding for service will rest on budget negotiations
This year’s 988 lifeline funding bill failed to meet a procedural deadline. But a budget amendment lawmakers adopted last week could keep funding alive through the session.
Carbon capture reform advances as coal-plant owner says Wyoming’s existing mandate is unaffordable
Black Hills Energy won a reprieve from state regulators for its “final plan” to comply with the law while legislators consider extending compliance deadlines.
Wyoming Freedom Caucus divided on benefits for fallen police officers’ families
The hard-line group of Republicans split on a budget amendment responding to the recent killing of a Sheridan police sergeant.
Hook ‘em
A new bovine tradition in the Wyoming Senate marks the grave of one senator’s dead budget bill amendments.
Wyoming Legislature’s two chambers OK ‘Kelly Parcel’ sale to feds for $100M
Budget bill stipulation authorizing a transaction between Wyoming and the National Park Service survives a midnight House run. The Senate followed suit the next day.
K-12 mental health services funding revived in budget
After the Freedom Caucus blocked a bill to strengthen mental health resources in schools, the Wyoming House voted Thursday to include it in the budget.
Safety measure or another attempt at eliminating abortion? Wyoming lawmakers back new abortion rules
What opponents call biased and unscientific, proponents laud as a necessary safety mechanism for women seeking abortions.
Wyoming lawmakers set for showdown over UW gender studies, diversity office
Senate approves measures to defund often-targeted programs, but similar attempts fail in the House. Now, the two sides will need to negotiate a compromise.
Legislature could create barriers to gender-affirming care for Wyoming Medicaid patients
The measure was approved in the House and Senate versions of the budget, increasing the likelihood it passes. It could affect some Medicaid patients.
Legislative housing task force member denies conflict of interest
Appointed to represent local governments on the regulatory reduction task force, former Jackson mayor says that was not his job.
Elk and cattle both eat grass. Lawmakers mull compensating ranchers — for more than the grass is worth
Proposed changes to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s damage program come at the behest of the livestock lobby and cattle ranchers who live in parts of Wyoming with far too many elk.
House ‘insurance policy’ could keep 988 suicide hotline funding at full $40M
One committee’s actions could be rendered null and void by the larger House’s budget amendment.
Gray’s involvement in Trump case prompts legislators to ask: Who can sue on Wyoming’s behalf?
Through the budgeting process, the secretary of state is being scrutinized by some in the Wyoming Legislature, which has a history of challenging the authorities of the five statewide elected officials.
Wyoming’s coal carbon capture mandate makes legislative advances
Proponents of the measure say more time is needed to attract interest from prospective third parties that might assume the costs of retrofitting coal plants.
Lawmakers aim to bar gender-affirming care, provide $2M for border security through budget changes
The first round of the Legislature’s budget battle went late into the evening in both chambers. It saw the latest attempt to defund UW’s gender studies program fail.
Lawmakers and execs disclose finances, contracts
These disclosures, which lawmakers and statewide electeds are required to submit every year, allow the public to monitor for potential conflicts of interest.
Storm clouds gather over Legislature’s forthcoming budget debate
Amendments are pouring into Wyoming’s House and Senate ahead of next week’s budget deliberations. That could make for a slow, difficult process.
Measures to guard against rising electricity costs advance in committee
State utility regulators and utilities said some of the legislation duplicates existing authorities and practices to ensure ‘prudent’ system investments.
Funding for Wyoming’s suicide lifeline might fare better this session
A bill that would put $40 million in a trust fund for Wyoming’s suicide lifeline cleared its introductory vote Thursday.
Climate change denial heats up at Wyoming Capitol
A group known for promoting misleading information about climate change won the attention — and hearts — of many Wyoming lawmakers this week.
Outdoor recreation funding bill lives on in the House
After hearing wide support to establish mechanisms for awarding grants to outdoor recreation projects statewide, committee votes unanimously to advance legislation Thursday.
Some Wyomingites could face barriers to mental health services without this one-line bill change
Lawmakers on the far right voted down the revision on Monday in the House. But the measure has been resurrected in the Senate.
Water bill would help fund $335M in projects, mostly to aid irrigators
Legislation would support $118M LaPrele dam reconstruction and $84M Goshen irrigation tunnel repair.
Vaccine concerns prompt blood-labeling bill, but experts say there’s no scientific basis
Amid vaccine skepticism and blood shortages, House Bill 115 would require asking the COVID-19/mRNA vaccine status of blood donors, providing some patients a choice to use blood from the unvaccinated.
Property tax cuts won’t be on the 2024 ballot in Wyoming
The Secretary of State’s Office confirmed Tuesday that the committee pushing a property tax cut initiative failed to file its petitions by deadline to get the measure on this year’s ballot.
Tensions simmer after Wyoming Freedom Caucus kills committee bills to start session
The far-right faction broke with a long-held legislative tradition of ushering in committee bills since they cost the state extra time and money.
Pre-K, school-choice funding bill fails introduction
House Bill 19 would have created $5K educational savings accounts that qualifying families could use for early childhood or non-public education. Far-right lawmakers celebrated the failure, promoted their own version.
Senate starts session with surprise leadership shakeup
In defiance of Senate President Odgen Driskill, the upper chamber voted to oust Sen. Tara Nethercott as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and to reinstate Sen. Dave Kinskey to head the powerful panel.
Gordon urges focus on budget, property taxes; defends energy policy
In his annual State of the State address, the governor rebutted his critics, took shots at the Biden administration and called on lawmakers to focus on “solutions” and “not politics.”
Five things to know as the Wyoming Legislature prepares to convene
Lawmakers begin the session Monday. They’ll debate the budget, property taxes, election law and rising electric bills, among other issues. Social issues are also expected to play a significant role.
Got $750 million? That’s what Wyoming lawmakers want for Teton Park’s ‘Kelly Parcel’
Bill filed Wednesday allows for an array of options: $750M sale, swap for $1 billion in mineral rights or an annual conservation lease.
Lawmakers float $10M ‘stimulus’ for enhanced oil recovery in Wyoming
The stimulus is intended to “equalize” a federal tax incentive that rewards permanent CO2 storage over carbon dioxide used to produce oil.
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