Government & Politics
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Child Marriage Bill Survives But Some Argue Restricting Teen Marriage Is Removing Freedoms
Addressing marriage age is an exercise in establishing Wyomings state rights, says House Bill 7 sponsor Rep. Dan Zwonitzer. Others argued the state should butt out as marriage is a contract between a man, a woman and their God.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2023
Hageman Warns U.S. Heading For Fiscal Cliff, Says Legislators Must Fight For Coal, Oil & Gas
U.S. Rep Harriet Hageman on Wednesday told Wyoming legislators that the U.S. is heading for a "fiscal cliff" and it was important that they continue to fight for coal, oil, and gas.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 19, 2023
Sen. Charlie Scott Says Shotgun Is Good Way To Deal With Annoying Drones
Sens. Charlie Scott and Lynn Hutchings on Wednesday said there should be a provision in the drone bill that would allow a landowner to shoot down drones that are trespassing over private property.
Mark HeinzJanuary 19, 2023
Chuck Gray Gets Another Win As Committee Strikes Down Bill Changing How Vacancies Are Filled
Sec of State Chuck Gray lobbied against a bill that would have required special elections to fill seats of elected officials if more than half of a term remained. The legislative committee rejected the bill by a 5-3 vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 19, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Work To Tighten Digital Asset Security
Private cryptographic keys cant be changed, which creates a problem for legal processes that Wyoming is working to solve. House Bill 86 will prevent a court from compelling through discovery the invisible code that makes up a private cryptographic key.
Renée JeanJanuary 19, 2023
Realtor: Hobbyists Who Buy “Cheap Drones At Wal-Mart” Causing Problems For Legit Drone Operators
In a legislative committee meeting on Wednesday, the president of the Wyoming Realtors association said commercial drone operators are well-behaved. It's the "hobbyists who buy cheap drones at Wal-Mart and fly them over their neighbors properties," who are causing all the problems, he said.
Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2023
Wyoming Community Colleges Can’t Ask For Inflation Fund Adjustment After Bill Fails
State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz said the Senate is already "very receptive" to giving community colleges more money so there doesn't need to be another mechanism for requesting public funds.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 18, 2023
Casper Legislator’s Covid Bill Would Also Prohibit Required Vaccines For Polio, Measles, Mumps
Although Rep. Ward said her Covid bill which would also prohibit required vaccines for polio, measles, mumps and other infectious diseases is a way to prioritize the rights of individuals, physicians said it would put Wyoming "back a few centuries."
Leo WolfsonJanuary 18, 2023
State Sen. Says Mother Was ‘Severely Mistreated’ In Boarding School That Forcibly Assimilated Native Americans
State Sen. Affie Ellis told a committee on Wednesday morning that her mother was "severely mistreated" when attending a boarding school that sought to assimilate her into a non-native culture. Ellis' bill would uphold tribal sovereignty over child members.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 18, 2023
Wyoming Law Enforcement Says Steering Wheel With Keyboard Invention Is Horrible Idea
Wyoming law enforcement officials say a steering wheel with a keyboard attached is a horrible idea and recommend not using one. The inventor of the product tried to raise $10 million to produce but killed the effort after no one donated any money to it.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 18, 2023
Perhaps Largest Group Ever, Freshman Lawmakers May Hold Real Political Power In Wyoming
With 34 first-year members of the 67th Legislature nearly 37% of the 93-member body freshman legislators have potential to be the most influential first-term class in Wyoming history, but they will have to come together to make that happen.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 18, 2023
Bill Would Remove 75% – 25% Preference Point System For “Big 5” Trophy Game Species
Wyomings trophy species hunters sometimes wait decades before drawing a once-in-a-lifetime tag -- if they draw one at all. Senate File 88 would reform the drawing process and could give younger hunters a chance, proponents say.
Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2023
Bill Empowering Game Wardens To Ticket For Criminal Trespass Advances To Senate Floor
Although there were concerns that a bill empowering Wyoming game wardens to bust trespassers was an attempt to "back-door"restrictions on corner crossing, those fears appear to have been alleviated as Senate File 56 was passed out of committee to the senate floor on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2023
Former Deputy Sec Of State Karen Wheeler Ain’t Done Yet, Joins Superintendent’s Office
Former Deputy Secretary of State Karen Wheeler is joining the Superintendent of Public Instruction's office. Wheeler, an icon in state government had worked at the secretary of state's office for 37 years.
Jimmy OrrJanuary 18, 2023
Ambiguous Federal Regs On Digital An Opportunity For Wyoming, Says State Senator
Nearly 500 decentralized autonomous organizations have registered in the Cowboy State since Wyoming rolled out the red carpet for digital asset companies. They are providing revenue to the state and more opportunity, according to Sen. Chris Rothfuss.
Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2023
Fremont County GOP Unsuccessful In Censuring Lummis Over Same-Sex Marriage Vote
A movement by some Fremont County Republican Party leaders to publicly condemn U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis for supporting same-sex marriage legislation failed Saturday, as did two votes to send her strongly worded letters.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023
Wyoming House To Vote On Bill Forbidding Marriage For Teens 15 And Younger
Wyoming is one of eight states with no minimum marriage age. Some in the Wyoming Legislature are trying to change that with a bill that would forbid people younger than 16 from marrying altogether, and would require a guardians permission for minors ages 16 and 17.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023
Rick Santorum Pushes Convention Of U.S. States While In Wyoming, Says Trump No Longer Strong
Former U.S. Sen Rick Santorum was in Wyoming on Monday to advocate for a "convention of the states." He said if there are 38 states in the convention, they can pass amendments that are legally binding.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2023
From Chicken-Roping To Ax-Throwing, Lawmakers Debate New Class Of Liquor License For Wyoming
Senate File 12 would create a new kind of liquor license in Wyoming for businesses that want to provide alcohol along with entertainment activities like chicken-roping and ax-throwing.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2023
Proposed Law Would Expand Alert System For Adults, Similar To AMBER Alert
Wyoming legislators are looking at implementing an alert-system for adults similar to the AMBER Alert. The system would dispatch alerts for missing adults in risky scenarios or for those suffering from cognitive issues or disabilities.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023
Cigar Tax War In The Wyoming Senate; Bill Moves Forward
Senators voted down an amendment that would have removed a 30-cent cap on the states cigar taxes from SF 42. The amendment would have gutted a bill that lawmakers say restores fairness for small, mom-and-pop shops that sell premium cigars.
Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2023
Wyoming Senate OKs $200,000 For Little-Known Archaeological Site Near Ghost Town
Wyoming senators gave a thumbs up to 10 bills Monday, including one that protects a little-known archaeology site adjacent to the Powars II red ocher mine outside of the ghost town of Sunrise, Wyoming.
Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2023
Far Right And Moderate Republicans Reach Compromise On Wyoming House Rule
Elevating from a simple majority to two-thirds vote to overrule House speaker or majority floor leader, some Republicans say factions are finding middle ground. Others, however, say theyve instead installed the king and his count.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2023
Wyoming Legislators Introduce Education Bill That Mirrors Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law
Wyoming lawmakers are proposing a Parental Rights In Education bill which mirrors Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law passed last year. It would forbid teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation to school children.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023