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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 BarryJanuary 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
House Kills Democrat’s Amendment To Make All Voters Show Proof Of Citizenship
The Wyoming House killed an amendment by a Jackson Democrat that would have expanded a proposed bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters to all voters.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2025
“It Was Hell,” Wyoming Couple Says About Pre-Dawn Raid By ATF Agents
A Big Horn couple says an ATF raid for their firearms “was hell.” But the state of Wyoming says their firearms were legal, and they have the paperwork to prove it. A bill planned for this session aims to “clarify” that state-federal conflict.
Mark HeinzJanuary 17, 2025
Debate Gets Heated On House Floor Over “What Is A Woman Act”
A heated Wyoming House floor debate over the “What is a Woman Act” erupted Thursday. Supporters say it’s needed to protect women, while opponents say it sets people up for invasive genital checks.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2025
Bill Banning Foreign Adversaries Setting Up Shop Near Critical Areas Advances
The Senate Appropriations Committee gave a unanimous thumbs up Thursday to a bill that would ban foreign adversaries from setting up near critical infrastructure in Wyoming.
Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2025
“I Apologize”: Hicks Backs Off Call-Out Of Committee Chair’s Abortion Voting Record
Wyoming Sen. Larry Hicks apologized Thursday for criticizing Sen. Eric Barlow over his voting record on abortion to keep him from being name chairman of a committee. Barlow says he won’t get caught up in “divisive rhetoric or political theater.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025
Laws Making It Easier To Kick Out — Or Arrest — Squatters Sail Through Committee
Two bills that would make it easier to kick squatters out, and sometimes arrest them, sailed through a Wyoming legislative committee Thursday. The bills would let police intervene in an area of law that is typically handled in civil courts.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2025
Barrasso Looks To Trump Interior Nominee To Stop Feds From “Punishing The West”
Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum pledges to boost America’s energy supply as secretary of the Interior. During his confirmation hearing Thursday, John Barrasso implored him to stop the feds from “punishing the West.”
Sean BarryJanuary 16, 2025
Controversial Eminent Domain Bill Passes Over Protests From Ag, Energy Industries
Wyoming legislators passed a controversial eminent domain bill Thursday that would ban anyone except public utilities from using eminent domain to take land for electrical systems. Both the state’s ag and energy industries argued against it.
Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2025
Wyoming Lawmakers May Block Counties From Charging The State Property Taxes
Wyoming lawmakers may pause a state Supreme Court ruling that allows counties to charge state government property taxes. The high court ruled in October that the state can be charged for renting property for non-governmental purposes.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2025
Senate Committee OKs Bill To Make Non-Citizen Status Stand Out More On State IDs
A Wyoming Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill Thursday that will make someone’s non-citizen status stand out more on Wyoming IDs. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says it’s needed to help prevent election fraud.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025
Barrasso Again Takes Aim At World Health Organization Over Pandemic Policies
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso introduced a bill Wednesday that could withhold U.S. money for the World Health Organization over its pandemic policies. The president and two-thirds of the Senate would have to OK any pandemic money for the group.
Sean BarryJanuary 16, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 2
The second day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session saw the first discussion on committee bills and Gov. Mark Gordon’s State of the State address.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025
House Committee Unanimous On Keeping DEI Out Of Wyoming Schools
A Wyoming House committee unanimously advanced a bill Wednesday prohibiting all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) government mandates and instruction in state schools.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025