A committee of Wyoming lawmakers on Monday advanced a bill that would prohibit biological males from participating in girls’ school sports and removed a proposed $1 million allocation from the bill.
Senate File 133 would ban biological males from competing in girls’ school sports in Wyoming. If the ban fails in court, the bill then would allow a commission to review transgender athlete controversies on a case-by-case basis, and would appropriate $100,000 to fund that commission.
It now will be heard in the state House of Representatives and must survive three readings, a nod from the Senate approving any changes, and the governor’s desk to become law.
Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, last week proposed adding $1 million in state funds to the bill to defend the law from court challenges against it.
Court challenges surely will come, the bill’s opponents told the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, since the nation’s courts are rife with transgender policy cases.
But Rep. Tom Walters, R-Casper, removed Provenza’s committee amendment of a $1 million appropriation.
Walters said the Wyoming Attorney General’s office has funding to get started on any lawsuit against the state, and after that, the Legislature can allocate more funds in a future session if necessary for continued litigation.
The House still will contemplate, however, proposed amendments limiting the transgender participation ban only to the high school years, and only to regional and state athletic events.
Appropriations Committee members who voted in favor of SF 133 and its appropriation were Republican Reps. Lloyd Larsen (Lander), Clark Stith (Rock Springs) and Bob Nicholas (Cheyenne).
Those voting against SF 133 were Democratic Rep. Trey Sherwood (Laramie) and Republican Reps. Dave Zwonitzer and Bill Henderson (Cheyenne).
