A contentious education bill that would expand school vouchers to all Wyoming families, regardless of income, passed the state Senate on Wednesday following a vigorous debate over its constitutionality and financial implications.
House Bill 199, known as the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, now heads back to the House of Representatives for concurrence on Senate amendments before reaching Governor Mark Gordon’s desk.
The bill seeks to expand Wyoming’s existing Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which currently provides up to $6,000 per year to qualifying low-income families for private school tuition and other non-public educational expenses. Under the new proposal, this amount would increase to $7,000 per child and become available to all families, regardless of income.
The bill also reinstates pre-kindergarten eligibility, an aspect removed in earlier discussions but later reintroduced through an amendment. Additionally, it requires standardized testing for participating students and strengthens certification requirements for education providers.
The Senate’s 20-11 vote came after extensive discussion, with lawmakers reporting an overwhelming number of constituent messages, mostly in opposition. Sen. Bill Landen (R-Casper), who voted against the bill, noted that his constituents voiced strong concerns about diverting public funds toward private education.
“The money, according to my emails, is the biggest issue for folks back in my district,” Landen said.
He emphasized skepticism about funding students outside the public school system.
On the other hand, supporters of the bill, such as Sen. Charlie Scott (R-Casper), argued that immediate action is necessary to offer Wyoming families more educational choices.
“I see an urgency in getting started on this bill,” Scott said. “We’ve got too many kids that are being left behind by our current K-12 system.”
The debate also centered on the Wyoming Constitution, with critics pointing to Article 7, Section 8, which prohibits the use of public school funds for private institutions, particularly those affiliated with religious organizations. Some senators suggested that legal challenges are inevitable, with Sen. Scott acknowledging that court rulings will likely determine the bill’s fate.
Throughout its journey in the Senate, HB 199 underwent several amendments. Sen. Wendy Schuler (R-Evanston) initially succeeded in reintroducing income-based eligibility tiers to limit funding to lower-income families. However, this change was later reversed by an amendment from Sen. Evie Brennan (R-Cheyenne), restoring the bill’s universal nature.
“This is about ensuring all students have equitable access to the same scholarship amount,” Brennan argued, calling income-based restrictions a form of discrimination.
Additional amendments included changing the program’s name to the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act, referencing Wyoming’s famous bucking horse symbol, and shifting the funding source back to the state’s general fund rather than federal mineral royalties.
The bill has attracted national attention, including an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who encouraged Wyoming lawmakers to pass it, calling it “an incredible victory for Wyoming students and families.”
However, some Wyoming residents remain deeply opposed, with reports of boycotts against businesses associated with lawmakers supporting the bill. Critics argue that the expansion of ESAs could significantly reduce funding for public schools, citing concerns about long-term financial sustainability.
With input from Wyo File and Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
