WyoFile is committed to ensuring our readers have the verifiable, factual information they need to participate effectively in civic life, including pertinent information about what’s happening at the statehouse during the session. We believe Wyoming residents need to know where lawmakers stand on important issues and what interests might influence their decisions. WyoFile will examine the Legislature’s efforts to address Wyoming’s most pressing issues. Here’s the latest:
LGBTQ+ advocates look to courts amid new bathroom, sports bans in Wyoming
Litigation may ultimately decide the fate of a slate of bills passed by lawmakers this session that restrict the rights of transgender people.
Latest Wyoming abortion law challenge gets a hearing — and a new judge
Abortion providers sought an emergency hearing nearly five weeks ago to block new restrictions. That hearing is now set before the third judge assigned to the case.
Wyoming to appeal ruling on education funding
Finding the Wyoming Legislature unconstitutionally underfunds schools, a judge ordered the state to adjust education spending in a February decision.
Declined twice by Wyoming, summer nutrition for hungry kids could gain traction in school recalibration
“Please don’t let it go away,” First Lady Jennie Gordon said to lawmakers. “I ask on behalf of those 35,000 kids of Wyoming” experiencing hunger.
Wyoming abortion defenders file lawsuit seeking to block new laws for third time
The state’s only abortion clinic has not accepted new patients as a lawsuit seeking to block two new laws bounces between courts without a ruling on a requested injunction.
Governor allows proof of voter residency, citizenship requirement to become law without signature
Mark Gordon questioned the legality of the bill’s 30-day durational residency requirement.
Lawmakers fund Wyoming’s wildfire recovery work via grants and loans
The legislation provides slightly more than half of the $130 million Gov. Gordon requested to help landowners restore grasses, replace fences and rebuild structures.
Wyoming’s elected officials disclose potential conflicts of interest
As required by statute, annual disclosure forms give the public a way to size up what lawmakers stand to gain from their elected positions.
Governor vetoes Wyoming lawmakers’ bill declaring abortion is not health care
Mark Gordon’s decision comes as Wyoming Supreme Court prepares to hear challenge to two 2023 abortion bans.
Halt on abortions at Wyoming’s lone clinic will extend another week over court venue question
As a judge sought to schedule a hearing on whether to temporarily block new abortion-restricting laws, Gov. Gordon asked to move the case from Jackson to Casper.
Six takeaways from the just finished Wyoming legislative session
Lawmakers leaned into school choice, passed a major property tax cut and showed a growing willingness to litigate national issues and override Gov. Gordon’s vetoes.
Wyoming slashes taxes for coal, sets up a CO2 fund to boost oil and gas
Coal producers will pocket $10 million annually, while producers of carbon dioxide sold for oil production will dip into a new $10 million fund.
House urged Senate to take up supplemental budget negotiations; Senate placed blame for failure on House
Without the supplemental budget, Senate leadership says the state is well-funded through June 2026.
How government mistrust sank legislation aimed at better supporting Wyoming families
The saga highlights a challenging political environment for social programming as Wyoming’s political shift rightward empowers lawmakers who are deeply skeptical about government institutions.
Felony animal cruelty probe still ‘active’ one year after Wyoming wolf’s torture, prosecutor says
Cody Roberts’ infamous decision to bring a wounded wolf into a bar spawned a new law, but county attorneys are still weighing whether to charge the Daniel resident using preexisting statutes.
State or local control? Bills to address land use conflicts fail in Wyoming Legislature.
Wyoming politicians trumpet “local control” over top-down land-use policies, except, some critics say, when it comes to concerns from counties and residents.
Zoning protest bill flounders before Legislature’s conference committee deadline
Amendment aimed at Jackson torpedoed bill designed to make it easier to build housing in Cheyenne and elsewhere in Wyoming.
Senate overrides Gordon’s veto of abortion bill requiring transvaginal ultrasounds in Wyoming
The governor cited concerns over the bill’s invasive nature and its lack of exceptions for victims of rape and incest in his veto letter. But most state lawmakers were unswayed.
Here’s what Wyoming lawmakers did with all those election bills
Only a handful of the whopping 45 election-related bills filed this session made it to the governor’s desk.
Gordon signs 25% homeowner property tax cut bill, vetoes anti-DEI bill
Governor says tax cut will provide permanent relief to homeowners. He cites local control concerns for veto of DEI legislation.
Transgender athlete ban passes House with definitions of ‘male,’ ‘female’
In an attempt to prevent invasive examinations to determine if an athlete is a woman or not, Rep. Jarvis tried and failed to amend the bill.
House votes to override Gordon’s abortion bill veto
It’s now up to the Senate to decide the fate of a bill requiring a transvaginal ultrasound and a 48-hour waiting period before taking abortion medication.
Lawmakers, loggers long for Trump-driven revival of Wyoming’s dying timber industry
The Equality State’s two remaining large commercial sawmills are just barely clinging to existence, though there’s hope that policies and executive orders circumventing environmental protection could stimulate commercial cutting.
Governor signs universal school voucher bill, calling it ‘remarkable achievement for Wyoming’
House Bill 199 will give $7,000 to families to pay for private school or tutoring. Gov. Gordon lauds it in the wake of fierce criticism that it’s unconstitutional.
‘Wyoming’s future depends on it.’ Educators hope court ruling helps improve schools
Senators restored a $66.3 million external cost adjustment Friday for teacher and school staff salaries, signaling intent to abide by judge’s ruling.
Gordon vetoes abortion bill requiring transvaginal ultrasounds
The governor objected to the bill’s invasive nature and its lack of exceptions for victims of rape or incest.
Wyoming will invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants
Gov. Gordon did not sign the bill and acknowledged lawmakers had thrust the state into uncharted waters.
Wyoming lawmakers earmark $15 million for I-80 Green River Tunnel repairs
The funds are intended to expedite inspection and repair after an early February pile-up killed three people and caused extensive damage.
Abortion clinic files lawsuit to block new Wyoming laws
Wellspring Health Access in Casper — the only in-clinic abortion facility in Wyoming — asked a judge to block new laws it claims are trying to force its closure.
Gordon lets Wyoming gun-free zones repeal become law, decries ‘legislative power grab’
In a scathing letter, the governor criticized lawmakers for rejecting local control, existing firearm policies.
Honed in and hoping: A lawmaker scores his first legislative victory
Rep. Bill Allemand watched intently from the Wyoming Senate gallery as the upper chamber considered advancing a prairie dog-shooting bill — and his first chance at legislative success.
Wyoming enacts new abortion clinic rules, raising questions about Casper facility’s future
The bill goes into effect immediately.
Wyoming lawmakers scramble to salvage spending priorities after budget fails
Legislative chaos reigned Thursday as lawmakers and lobbyists wrote appropriations into often unrelated bills after the Senate jettisoned the traditional supplemental budget bill.
Wyoming lawmakers agree to 25% property tax cut
Both chambers are expected to approve the bill and send it to the governor’s desk. Local governments, meanwhile, are wrestling with the prospect of revenue reductions “beyond comprehension.”
Electric utilities may win immunity for system-sparked wildfires
Measure moving through the Senate requires extra fire mitigation efforts, but faces skepticism for shifting burden to property owners.
Private school voucher bill retains pre-K funding following negotiations, compromise
he House and Senate need to approve the new version of the bill, which would extend funds to income-qualified families for pre-K costs. Families of K-12 students, meanwhile, could access $7K regardless of income.
In surprise move, Wyoming Senate says it won’t pass budget bill this year
The upper chamber is hitting the brakes to account for “historic property tax cuts” and the Trump administration’s “successful rightsizing of the federal bureaucracy.”
Judge finds Wyoming unconstitutionally underfunded public schools, orders remedy
The much-anticipated ruling in a lawsuit initiated by the Wyoming Education Association is likely to land like a bombshell in the statehouse where lawmakers are currently pursuing further cuts.
Bill voiding driver’s licenses issued by other states to undocumented immigrants heads to Wyoming governor
Despite mounting questions, state lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Mark Gordon that would invalidate the driver’s licenses other states issue to people in the country illegally. If Gordon signs the measure, it will impact licenses from as many as 19 states where undocumented immigrants can legally obtain a driver’s license. Wyoming neighbors Utah and…
Partisan school board bill dies in late-stage House vote
Bill to make the traditionally nonpartisan races political cleared the Senate and passed two readings in the House before meeting its demise.
Senate restores $50M for troubled Alkali dam project
After House and water committee hold back money, Senate votes instead to restore funding in an effort to obtain holdout easements.
Five abortion bills to watch in the final week of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature
One would require a transvaginal ultrasound before taking abortion medication, another would restrict the state’s sole facility that provides in-clinic abortions.
Property tax talks falter after senators accuse House members of backing out of deal
Property tax talks falter after senators accuse House members of backing out of deal
Homeschool Freedom Act passes Senate, heads to the governor’s desk
The measure would end a requirement that Wyoming homeschool parents share their curriculum with local school districts.
Wyoming students stage die-in outside governor’s office
CHEYENNE—Humming “Amazing Grace” and lying on the floor outside Gov. Mark Gordon’s office, a group of University of Wyoming students hoped to send the chief executive a direct message: Do not repeal Wyoming’s gun-free zones. Staged as a “die-in” protest, students wore white T-shirts splattered with red paint and held signs that read “I’d rather…
Rancher-backed solar power bill loses glimmer with amendments
Rooftop solar advocates were jazzed about expanding the state’s net-metering credit system to ranches, churches and municipalities, but say amended version hits a sour note.
Wyoming senators skeptical of bill banning out-of-state licenses for undocumented immigrants
‘Everybody is scratching their heads,’ Sen. Stephan Pappas said of questions about the bill’s impact that some senators think were left unanswered by House lawmakers.
Senate rejects House’s sweeping property tax changes, setting stage for negotiations
Senate File 69 will now go to conference committee where House and Senate members will try to reconcile their differences.
Wyoming’s emerging nuclear microreactor industry hits legislative snag
Lawmakers and residents want more answers before opening the state to nuclear fuel waste storage.
House committee wants no limits on immunity overdose reporting
Backers of the legislation say people will be more likely to call for help if they don’t fear an arrest.
Amid rising tensions, Wyoming Legislature welcomes Canada, biggest buyer of state exports
Republican leaders of the Legislature touted the state’s relationship with Canada, even as President Donald Trump targets the longstanding trading partner and ally with tariffs and other threats.
Wyoming otters set to lose protected status after reclassification passes final vote
The likely statute change opens the door for relocating or killing the fish-eating mustelids when they’re deemed a nuisance, but not recreational hunting and trapping.
Universal school vouchers clear Senate with notable addition of pre-K funding
Controversial measure spurred intense debate as lawmakers reported deluge of constituent concerns. Even President Trump weighed in.
Fear is driving Wyoming politicians, immigrants in divergent directions
Debate and legal filings show state politicians view illegal immigration as an economic threat. Interviews with immigrants show the limits of politicians’ insights into the issue’s realities.
Water, and probably some tears, will flow with breach of Wyoming’s LaPrele Dam
As crews prepare to crack the dam this month, farmers who rely on that water prepare for lean times and lawmakers debate funding for a new structure.
Local governments protest Wyoming lawmakers’ property tax cut proposals
Firefighters, sheriffs, community colleges and special districts are calling for targeted relief for homeowners in place of blanket cuts that will compromise local services.
Majority speak against gun-free zone bill, but panel poised to advance it
House Bill 172 would allow concealed carry in schools, government buildings and meetings, as well as college and university sporting events that do not serve alcohol.
Constitutional issue impedes elimination of Wyoming’s protected wildlife list
Amendment to bill initially aimed at Northern American river otters would have nixed the whole ‘archaic’ protected classification. It found support initially, then died.
Universal voucher bill passes Senate committee
Committee members reinstate assessment requirement for participating students, but constitutionality concerns linger.
Tough choices ahead as Wyoming House and Senate prepare to reconcile budget differences
Spending between the two chambers is not terribly far apart, but the two positions reveal meaty philosophical differences.
Senate bills on transgender bathroom use, pronouns pass through House committees
One measure would prohibit the state from requiring its workers to use preferred pronouns. Another would regulate school bathroom use.
Lawmakers file whopping 45 bills to remake Wyoming elections
The most sweeping measure would move the 2026 governor’s race up several months and implement a runoff system.
House kills bill to participate in summer food program for kids
Bill would have opted Wyoming into federal SUN Bucks program, which offers debit cards to income-qualified families to help buy food when school isn’t in session.
Wyoming Senate sinks immigrant crackdown bill amid questions over legality, impact
Senators quickly dispatched a controversial bill that drew outcry from religious leaders, immigrant families and activists.
Wyoming lawmakers spar over ‘serious accusations’
Bear’s online remarks hurt the House, Harshman said on the floor, before the Freedom Caucus doubled down on social media.
Senate kills resolution demanding takeover of federal land in Wyoming
Tie vote defeats measure despite efforts to dilute demand by excluding Grand Teton National Park, national forests, monuments and historic sites.
Bill to strip Wyoming landowners’ right to sell property to the feds goes before Senate
Senate ag committee advances measure that would curtail the sale of private land to the federal government as critics warn it erodes a fundamental property right.
Wyoming Senate nears immigration crackdown vote as fear spreads outside statehouse
Church leaders and people in families with mixed-immigration status say Senate bill criminalizes the day-to-day actions of legal citizens as much as it will put a target on undocumented immigrants.
Wyoming opted out of USDA summer food assistance program, but bill would change that
The federal program is “the most efficient, effective way to get food to those kids,” bill sponsor Rep. Lloyd Larsen said.
Struck down, again: Lawmakers reject ban on Wyoming’s tradition of killing wildlife with snowmobiles
A freshman representative whose district includes Daniel — site of the infamous tortured wolf incident — tried and failed to convince his counterparts to prohibit a sport that brought great scorn upon his community.
Legislative Digest: Wyoming lawmakers add more tax cutting bills to their quiver
House committees pass 50% tax breaks on homes up to $200,000 or $1 million depending on the bill.
Wyoming Senate demands Congress hand over federal land, including Grand Teton
After first vote fails, Sen. Driskill calls for reconsideration, an excused senator reappears and the measure passes 16-15.
Lawmakers: Party affiliation from the top office on down
A bill to change attorney general from an appointed to an elected position advanced, as did a bill to make school board races partisan.
Wyoming-sanctioned grizzly hunting bill fails to overcome concerns about Endangered Species Act violations
Another grizzly bear-related proposal, which would have hamstrung the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s ability to manage the species, also goes nowhere.
Bill to ‘fix reading failures’ in Wyoming advances despite educators’ concerns
Skeptics voice worry about punitive measures for school districts and an emphasis on holding struggling students back.
Momentum builds to save tree ‘Yellowstone Forest Reserve’ surveyors inscribed 132 years ago
Amid big budget cuts, Wyoming Legislature has tentatively earmarked $35,000 to helicopter a section of a historically important conifer out of the Shoshone National Forest’s Washakie Wilderness.
Speaker Neiman kills 95 bills — more than past 2 Wyoming House leaders
“Judge us based on the content of what we got through,” the Republican lawmaker told WyoFile. But others suggested hot-button bills won out over more pragmatic measures.
Restored property tax cut bill passes Wyoming Senate, heads to House
In its current form, Senate File 69 provides property tax relief up to 50% of assessed value up to $1 million for all homeowners, with no state backfill and a two-year sunset date.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.