Wyoming’s governor on Tuesday signed into law a bill banning government entities from favoring or disfavoring people by race, color, religion or sex, and from teaching those biases in schools or workplaces.
At the same time, Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a similar diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ban, saying the other bill wasn’t as clear or necessary.
Sponsored by Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, House Bill 147 is now law. State governmental entities including the university and colleges have until July 1 to implement it.
It defines “diversity, equity or inclusion” as programs, activities or policies that promote differential treatment of people by race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity or national origin. And it bans Wyoming and all its political entities from advancing DEI programs or requiring training in those themes.
The bill carves out federally recognized Indian tribes and programs related to them, saying those aren’t under the DEI ban’s umbrella.
Also, The Veto
At the same time, Gordon vetoed another governmental DEI ban, Senate File 103, which also told the University of Wyoming and the state’s colleges not to teach DEI or related content.
“I have significant reservations with (SF 103) in its current form,” wrote Gordon in a veto letter. “(HB 147) offers a more effective and legally sound approach to achieving the same policy objectives.”
Gordon said SF 103’s curriculum restrictions are ill-defined and overly broad, create legal ambiguities and risk unintended consequences that could impact colleges and workforce development.
He noted that DEI programs were “rolled back” at the University of Wyoming in 2024 due to the budget’s elimination of that office and funding for it.
“This legislation is an attempt to limit curriculum and course requirements at the University of Wyoming and community colleges with a sledgehammer without regard to what gets smashed,” said Gordon. “This bill prohibits courses containing ‘related content’ but defines the term (in) a section that does not define any concepts – only restrictions on government spending.”
That’s a “circular lack of definition” that could be impossible to enforce, the governor wrote.
SF 103’s sponsor Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle, did not bristle at the veto since Gordon had still signed Rodriguez-Williams’ similar bill into law.
“It is a win for Wyoming and that is what we are all working for,” said Steinmetz in a Tuesday-evening text to Cowboy State Daily. “Congratulations to Rep. Rodriguez-Williams.”
Earmark
SF 103 also contained an earmark of $550,000 to provide medical education for students in as part of a University of Utah school of medicine contract.
Gordon said he supports training future doctors, which Wyoming needs, but setting aside money for that would be more appropriate during a budget session.
Wyoming’s next legislative budget session begins in early 2026.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
