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Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 5
The fifth day of the Wyoming Legislature was marked by some of the most spirited debates seen so for on hot-button issues like private property rights.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
After Heated Debate, House OKs Bill Limiting Private Property Sales To Feds
The Wyoming House engaged in a heated discussion Monday before passing the second reading of a property rights bill. The proposal would limit private property owners from selling land to the federal government.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
Wyoming House Sends 'What Is A Woman Act' To State Senate
On the same day President Donald Trump proclaimed the United States will recognize “only two genders — male and female,” the Wyoming House passed the “What is a Woman Act” to the Senate. The bill defines a person’s gender by biology, not gender identity.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2025
Chuck Gray Wants $322K To Beef Up Office, But Legislators Say No On Split Vote
The Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office needs more people and resources to keep up with growth in the state’s business activity, Chuck Gray says. But the Joint Appropriations Committee on Monday rejected his $322,000 ask on a split vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 20, 2025
State Caught 3 North Korean Companies Trying Set Up In Wyoming Last Year
The state caught three North Korean companies last year filing fraudulent paperwork to set up in Wyoming to raise money for weapons of mass destruction. A House committee passed a bill Monday that aims to keep foreign adversaries out of Wyoming.
Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025
Barrasso, Lummis And Hageman Squeeze In To See Trump Take Oath
Weather moved Donald Trump’s inauguration indoors at the Capitol on Monday, making it difficult to squeeze in all who wanted to attend. Wyoming’s delegation was there to see Trump take the oath.
Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 20, 2025
Bill Banning COVID-19 Mask, Vaccine Mandates In Wyoming Heads To House Floor
A Wyoming legislative bill would let people sue any publicly-funded business or agency for requiring them to wear a mask, be tested or get vaccinated for COVID-19. The proposal sailed through its first committee hearing Monday.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2025
Despite Opposition, Anti-ESG Bill Sails Through Committee After Changes
An anti-ESG Bill sailed over a wall of opposition from Wyoming investment fund managers and the state treasurer. It passed out of committee Monday after significant changes to address the criticism.
Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025
Former South Dakota AG Who Ran Down Pedestrian Fights To Keep Iowa Law License
Former South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg was impeached and stripped of his law license after running down and killing a pedestrian in 2020. Now he’s fighting to keep from losing his license to practice law in Iowa.
A.J. Etherington for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 20, 2025
Wyoming Delegation, Trump, Slam Biden For Last-Minute Cheney Pardon
The Wyoming congressional delegation joined Donald Trump on Monday in slamming President Biden’s final-hour pardons. On his way out of office, Biden pardoned Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci and the former head of Trump’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 20, 2025
Growing Pains In Big Sky, Montana’s Exclusive Playground For The Rich And Famous
Big Sky is Montana’s exclusive playground for the rich and famous. It’s also one of the fastest-growing areas in the region, bringing on growing pains that includes lack of access to a hospital landowners pay taxes for.
David MadisonJanuary 19, 2025
Montana State Rodeo Team Invited To Be In Trump’s Inaugural Parade
A contingent from the Montana State University rodeo team will be part of the Inaugural Parade for President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Monday. They wrangled six local horses and a wagon for the event. UPDATE: After this story was posted, it was announced that because of a forecast for extreme weather and cold for Monday, the inaugural plans in Washington, D.C., have been moved inside. The school issued a statement thanking the organizers for the invitation.
David MadisonJanuary 18, 2025
Wyoming State Jets Logged 162,000 Miles On 780 Flights In 2024
Wyoming’s two jets were busy in 2024, making 780 flights shuttling 2,460 passengers around the state and nation. Combined, they traveled nearly 162,000 miles around Wyoming and as far away as Virginia and California.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 18, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap – Day 4
The first week of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature wrapped up n Friday, and there’s now little doubt what the rest of the session will look like — very conservative.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 18, 2025
Legislators Couldn’t Override Gordon’s 2024 Budget Vetoes Then, So They Did It Now
Wyoming legislators were too late to override a list of Gov. Mark Gordon’s line-item vetoes to their budget in 2024. So, they reversed them Friday, making about 20 changes to the way the state’s money is spent.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 18, 2025
Amendment To Define “Woman” By Birth Certificate, Not Biology, Fails
A Republican lawmaker’s attempt to define sex by birth certificate instead of biology failed Friday as the “What is a Woman Act” had its second reading on the Wyoming House floor.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 18, 2025
Bill Would Ban Illegals Driving In Wyoming, Even With A License From Another State
A bill that would ban people in the U.S. illegally from driving in Wyoming, even if they have a license from another state, sailed through a House committee Friday. The bills sponsor says Wyoming has to “fight back” against illegal immigration.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2025
Repealing Gun-Free Zones Won’t Mean AR-15s In Wyoming Capitol, Sponsor Says
The debate over whether to repeal Wyoming’s gun-free zones heated up again Friday. A bill before the Legislature similar to one Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed last year is back, but its sponsor says it wouldn’t mean AR-15s in the state Capitol.
Mark HeinzJanuary 17, 2025
Anti-ESG Bill Hits Wall Of Opposition, Debate Will Continue Monday
An anti-ESG bill that would block investment into companies that go against Wyoming’s oil and gas industries hit a wall of opposition Friday. That includes state Treasurer Curt Meier, who said half his staff could walk out if the bill passes.
Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2025
Rock Climbers Want Legislature To Make It Easier For Landowners To Allow Access
Rock climbers are urging the Legislature to make it easier for landowners to allow access to some of Wyoming’s best climbing areas. A bill would specifically say landowners who allows rock climbers onto their property won’t be liable if they’re hurt.
David MadisonJanuary 17, 2025
Bill Would Give Homeschool Parents More Freedom Over What They Teach
A bill introduced Friday to the House Education Committee would give homeschool parents in Wyoming more freedom over what they teach. It’s a plan that also has the support of the state’s top education official.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 17, 2025
GOP Senators Confident Kristi Noem Can Secure Border As Head Of Homeland Security
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem promised Friday to secure America’s southern border with Mexico as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Homeland Security.
Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 17, 2025
UW Volleyball Player Urges Legislature To Expand Trans Sports Ban To College
University of Wyoming volleyball player Macey Boggs urged the Wyoming Senate Education Committee on Friday to expand a transgender sports ban to the college level. The committee took her suggestion and advanced the bill on a 4-1 vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 3
Day three of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session saw a bill restricting bathroom use in public spaces to biological sex at birth advance and an emotional apology from a state senator.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2025