Wyoming Governor Signs Multiple Bills, Including Measures on Religious Freedom and Drug Overdose Reporting

Governor Mark Gordon has signed eight bills into law as the Wyoming Legislature’s general session concludes.

These new laws cover a range of issues, including religious freedom protections, drug overdose reporting immunity, and liability limits for electricity providers in wildfires. The governor now has 15 days to take action on any remaining bills.

One of the newly signed laws, Senate File 74, provides legal protection for individuals who report a drug overdose. The law grants immunity from misdemeanor drug possession or use charges to those who seek help, provided they stay at the scene and cooperate with first responders. However, it does not offer immunity for more serious offenses, such as drug distribution.

Advocates, including University of Wyoming students, law enforcement, and mental health professionals, supported the bill, hoping it will encourage more people to call for help in overdose situations without fear of legal consequences.

House Bill 127, also known as the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” ensures that state laws do not “substantially burden” a person’s right to exercise their religion. The bill defines “person” broadly, including individuals, corporations, religious institutions, and other legal entities, allowing them to seek legal protection if they believe their religious rights are being infringed upon.

Wyoming now joins 28 other states with similar laws. The inclusion of corporations sparked debate, with Rep. Ken Chestek (D-Laramie) questioning whether businesses can hold religious beliefs.

House Bill 192 requires electric utility companies to develop wildfire mitigation plans, which must be approved by the Wyoming Public Service Commission. The plans outline vegetation management, equipment inspections, and emergency de-energization procedures to reduce wildfire risk.

The law also sets a high legal bar for customers to claim damages from utilities in case of a fire. To receive compensation, customers must prove that the utility failed to follow its approved wildfire plan or acted with gross negligence, malice, or criminal intent.

This measure follows growing concerns about wildfire liability in the wake of the 2020 Labor Day Fires in Washington state, where PacifiCorp, the parent company of Rocky Mountain Power, was found grossly negligent. The company has since faced massive insurance cost increases and lawsuits.

House Bill 337 prohibits foreign nationals from funding or directing organizations that seek to influence statewide ballot measures or referendums. The law requires groups and political action committees (PACs) to verify their donors’ legal status before accepting funds.

Wyoming joins a growing number of states passing similar laws to prevent foreign interference in elections.

Other bills signed by the governor include:

• Child custody and sex offense convictions (HB 83): Establishes a legal presumption that it is not in a child’s best interest to have unsupervised visits with a parent who is a registered sex offender.
• Child witnesses in court (SF 100): Allows minor victims of sexual assault or human trafficking to testify remotely or without the defendant present, if the court determines that direct confrontation would cause severe emotional distress.
• School finance recalibration (HB 316): Establishes a committee to review and adjust school funding formulas to ensure they align with actual educational costs.
• Support for rural schools (HJ 3): Affirms legislative commitment to maintaining access to education for students in Wyoming’s most isolated rural schools.

Oil City News, Cap City News, and Wyoming Public Media contributed to this report.