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Wyoming Legislative Recap - Day 10
The 10th day of the Wyoming Legislature featured passionate debates on hand-counted elections, making Wyoming’s school choice program universal, and restricting public school bathroom usage by biological sex.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Bill To Make All Voyeurs Register As Sex Offenders Heads To Wyoming Senate
A bill that would require all convicted voyeurs to register as sex offenders heads to the Wyoming Senate after a committee approved it 4-0. Currently, only Wyoming voyeurs with child victims have to register.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Chuck Gray And Curt Meier Spar Over ESG Legislation, Policies
State Treasurer Curt Meier and Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Monday disagree over a bill that would restrict Wyoming’s investment managers from investing in any company that supports environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
House Advances Bill Allowing Hand-Counted Recounts Of Wyoming Elections
By a 6 -1 margin, the Wyoming House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill on Monday that would allow for recounting elections by hand. Currently, recounts can only be performed by election machines.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2025
Three More Wyoming Snowplow Trucks Wrecked After Drivers Slam Into Them Over Weekend
In three separate incidents, three WYDOT snowplow trucks covering the highways near Laramie were struck by vehicles and taken out of commission when they needed to be clearing ice and snow on critical stretches of I-80 and US 30/287.
Andrew RossiJanuary 27, 2025
Bill To Block Firing Of Doctors Who Prescribe Ivermectin For Covid Advances
A bill that would block Wyoming hospitals and clinics from firing doctors who prescribe drugs for off-label uses, such as Ivermectin for Covid, passed a state House committee on Monday.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Lummis To Lead Digital Asset Subcommittee, Will Work With Trump On Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has been named the nation's first chair of the Digital Asset Subcommittee. Known for her expertise in cryptocurrency, one of her first priorities is the passage of a bill to create a strategic bitcoin reserve.
Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2025
Despite Pardon, House Subcommittee Could Force Liz Cheney To Testify About Jan. 6
A new U.S. House subcommittee will investigate the events that took place before and after Jan. 6, 2021, which could involve requiring former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney to testify. "Buckle up," said U.S. Rep. William Timmons.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2025
Wyomingites Can Still Sue Cops For Negligence After Committee Lets Bill Die
A bill died in a Wyoming legislative committee that would have restricted criminal suspects from suing police officers for conducting negligent investigations. It was supposed to reverse a state court ruling that created the rare lawsuit mechanism.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Casper Elementary School Is Only Public School In State To Offer Mandarin In Dual Language Immersion
Paradise Valley Elementary School in Casper is the only public school in Wyoming that offers Mandarin Chinese in a dual-language immersion setting where students spend half the day learning that language and the other half in English.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 27, 2025
Elon Musk’s DOGE Is Trying To Kill Pennies, And Wyoming Has Mixed Reactions With That
Pennies cost more than 3 cents each to make, which has the little round Lincoln heads in the crosshairs of Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency. If pennies are on their way out, Wyoming citizens have mixed opinions on that.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 26, 2025
REAL IDs Will Soon Be Needed To Fly In The U.S., How To Know If You Need One
A REAL ID will soon be needed to fly in the United States, but many Wyomingites have been carrying them around for years. Transplants, however, may need to book a DMV appointment to get a compliant ID before May.
Anna-Louise Jackson for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 25, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 9
The ninth day of the Wyoming Legislature on Friday saw the Freedom Caucus meet its “Five and Dime” plan goal, biological sex bathroom bills pass and legislators killing an immigration bill Wyoming sheriffs hated.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 25, 2025
Freedom Caucus Bills Breezing Through House As “Five And Dime” Plan Done Early
Wyoming Freedom Caucus bills are breezing through the state House so far this session. The group’s touted “Five and Dime” plan of passing five core pieces of legislation in the first 10 days has been realized early.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 25, 2025
Bills To Keep Boys Out Of Girls’ Bathrooms, Locker Rooms Headed To Floor Debate
A pair of bills that would separate the use of public bathrooms, showers and locker rooms by biological sex cleared committees Friday in the Wyoming House and Senate. One bill focuses just on schools, while the other is for all public spaces.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2025
Wyoming Delegation Shows Out To Support National March For Life
Wyoming’s congressional delegation expressed support for the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, vowing to continue the fight to end abortion. Barrasso thanked the thousands of marchers for their “remarkable dedication.”
Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 25, 2025
Sanctuary Cities One Step Closer To Being Banned In Wyoming
There are no designated “sanctuary cities” to protect illegal immigrants in Wyoming, and it will stay that way if a bill banning them in the state passes into law. It took a step closer to that when it passed a House committee 7-1 Friday.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Committee Kills Bill That Would Have Forced Sheriffs Into Immigration Contracts
After vocal opposition from sheriffs around Wyoming, a legislative committee Friday killed a bill that would have required every sheriff in the state to enter into federal immigration contracts. Another, similar bill is still pending in the Legislature.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2025
Bill To Keep Abortion Drugs Out Of Water Supply Passes House Committee
A bill requiring testing of Wyoming water supplies for the presence of abortion drugs passed a House committee Friday. Rep. John Bear, the bill’s sponsor, says it’s to protect women, while opponents say it’s to shame them.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Even Sheriffs Who Work With ICE Hate Legislation To Make Them Work With ICE
Wyoming sheriffs who work well with immigration authorities on Thursday torched two bills that would force them to sign federal immigration contracts. They characterized the bills as government overreach and short-sighted.
Clair McFarland & Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 8
On Day 8 of the legislative session, the Joint Appropriations Committee has slashed $195 million so far from the budget, banning gun-free zones advanced out of the House and Wyoming sheriffs bristled over immigration bills.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Bill Banning Gun-Free Zones Blasts Through Wyoming House
A bill that would eliminate gun-free zones in places such as the Wyoming Capitol building, K-12 schools and on the University of Wyoming campus blasted through the House on third reading Thursday by a 50-10 vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Senate Confirms Ratcliffe for CIA As Democrats Still Holding Up Noem, Hegseth
The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed President Donald Trump’s choice of John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA, but Democrats continued to draw out Trump’s nominations of Pete Hegseth to run the Pentagon and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head up the Department of Homeland Security.
Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 23, 2025
Bill Allowing Wyoming Homeschool Parents More Freedom Heads To Senate
The Wyoming House overwhelmingly passed the “Homeschool Freedom Act” over to the state Senate for discussion. The bill would eliminate requirements for homeschool parents to check in with their local school districts.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 23, 2025
Freedom Caucus Chair Blasts Fellow Republican For Leaking Vote Stance Spreadsheet
State Rep. J.D. Williams says he made a mistake leaking a Moms For Liberty and Honor Wyoming voting stance spreadsheet to Democrats and county commissioners on Thursday. But that’s not enough for the leader of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, who blasted him as “untrustworthy.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Freedom Caucus Making Good On Promises Of Cuts, Has Slashed $195M From Budget
The Joint Appropriations Committee has slashed $195 million from Wyoming’s supplemental budget, cutting energy projects, state employees and raises. Made up of Freedom Caucus members, the committee is making good on campaign promises to cut spending.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Wyoming Legislators Unanimous On Closing Protection Order Loopholes
Protection orders are getting a makeover by the Wyoming Legislature this session. Sailing through are bills to close loopholes that can leave victims unprotected and allow for permanent protection orders.
Jen KocherJanuary 23, 2025
Barrasso, Lummis Help Advance Trump Picks on Energy, Interior and EPA
Wyoming U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis helped push through a group of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks Thursday. Nominees to for the Departments of Energy, Interior and EPA sailed through their committees.
Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 23, 2025
Significant Property Tax Cuts Sailing Through Wyoming Legislature
The Wyoming Legislature has been advancing a series of property tax relief bills that will significantly cut tax bills for most residential property owners. Even so, legislators who support them still say they fall short of “real reform.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 7
The seventh day of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday saw heated testimony on ballot drop boxes and property tax relief. Extending a ban on transgender sports participation through the college level also passed the Senate and to the House.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Gray, County Clerks Accuse Each Other Of “Gaslighting” Over Ballot Drop Boxes
Emotions were high on Wednesday during a debate over the legality of ballot drop boxes, with Secretary of State Chuck Gray and some of Wyoming’s county clerks accusing each other of “gaslighting” the issue. A bill to ban the boxes passed a House committee 8-1.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Inspired By ‘Little Siberia’ Schoolhouse, Support Grows For Rural Wyoming Schools
After the success of a one-room schoolhouse in remote north Albany County, Wyoming is poised for more across the state. A bill to create more rural schools passed the House Education Committee unanimously Wednesday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 23, 2025
Barrasso Promises Weekend Sessions If Dems Keep Holding Up Trump Cabinet Picks
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, on Wednesday called Democrat efforts to hold up Trumps Cabinet picks “Shameful.” He promised to keep senators there through the weekend if they don’t move quickly to confirm.
Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 22, 2025
Committee OKs Bill Requiring Ultrasounds Before Giving Out Abortion Pills
A House committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would require women have ultrasounds no less than 48 hours before being prescribed abortion pills. House Bill 64 passed 7-1, but not before contentious testimony for and against it.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 22, 2025
Bill Requiring Wyoming Blood Banks To Store Donations Clears Committee
If it becomes law, House Bill 135 would require blood banks to transfer the blood people's loved ones donate to them for specific procedures. It cleared a Wyoming House committee Wednesday amid some safety and government overreach concerns.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 22, 2025
Hageman Blasts Feds For “Weaponized” Intimidation Of Ranch Family Over Fence
Harriet Hageman is calling out federal officials for an armed federal agent in tactical gear showing up on a South Dakota ranch over a fence line dispute. She condemns the “weaponized” response and wants the feds to explain themselves.
Mark HeinzJanuary 22, 2025
Wyoming Industries Applaud Trump’s “National Energy Emergency” Declaration
Wyoming’s energy industry is applauding President Donald Trump declaring a “national energy emergency.” They’re calling on Wyoming’s BLM office to immediately approve delayed permits and deferred lease sales.
Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 6
Day six of the Wyoming Legislature saw emotional debate on the floor of the House and a bill banning foreign adversaries owning Wyoming property advancing out of committee.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 22, 2025
Despite Trump Now In Office, Wyoming DEQ Wants To Double Emission Fees
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is asking for a 108% hike in emission fees charged to energy producers. That’s despite President Donald Trump’s promises to reverse Biden’s energy policies.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
Trump’s Sweeping J6 Pardons Include At Least Two From Wyoming
At least two Wyoming men are included in President Donald Trump’s sweeping pardon of about 1,500 charged and prosecuted for the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. A police officer attacked by one of them calls the pardons “disappointing.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2025
Montana Bill Would End Online Certificates For Emotional Support Animals Sight Unseen
A Montana state senator says it’s too easy to log online, pay a fee and get a certificate to have an emotional support animal. He says that’s unfair to landlords who are forced to accept these animals, whether or not they really serve a medical purpose.
David MadisonJanuary 21, 2025
Committee Advances Measure To Ban Foreign Adversaries Owning Wyoming Property
The House Agriculture committee gave a thumbs up to a constitutional measure that will ban foreign adversaries from owning Wyoming property. Deciding who those foreign adversaries are will be debated on the House floor.
Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2025
Bill Would Give Wyoming Political Parties More Say In Filling Vacancies
A Wyoming legislator wants to clear up what’s become a contentious process for filling political vacancies around Wyoming. Under a proposed bill, if a county commission or other elected body can’t pick from the local party’s finalists, the party will do it instead of a judge.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Legislative Roundup: House Speaker Chip Neiman
VIDEO: Cowboy State Daily's State Politics Reporter Leo Wolfson catches up with Wyoming House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, the first in a series of legislative sit-downs during the 2025 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
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
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