The 68th Wyoming Legislature wrapped up its 2025 session on Thursday, closing out 37 days of legislative work with a speech from Governor Mark Gordon, who urged lawmakers to remain committed to the state’s future while preserving its values of freedom and independence.
Governor Gordon, who traditionally addresses lawmakers at the beginning and end of each session, kept his closing remarks brief, citing a verse from the Book of Micah. He emphasized that actions, rather than words, define leadership, encouraging legislators to serve their communities with justice, mercy, and humility.
Reflecting on the session, Gordon acknowledged that while the Legislature may have “missed a few targets,” it remained committed to the interests of Wyoming residents. He praised the state’s citizen legislature system, where lawmakers meet for a short period each year before returning to their communities to stay connected with the people they represent.
Gordon also encouraged legislators to focus on the state’s future.
“We should stop looking backward. We should think about our future, we should think about our kids,” he said. “The state I love and have fought for engages with our youth and makes sure better days are ahead. I know we can do it.”
During the session, lawmakers passed 165 bills, overrode five of the governor’s seven vetoes, and debated significant policies affecting the state.
One of the most discussed issues was Senate File 196, which seeks to protect Wyoming residents from federal firearm regulations. Although lawmakers strongly supported the bill, concerns arose over a potential veto by Governor Gordon. Rather than extending the session to address a possible veto, legislative leaders announced they would take up the bill immediately in the 2026 session if necessary.
House Bill 156, a proposed change to voting laws requiring 30 days of residency and proof of US citizenship to vote, also faced speculation about a potential veto. Some legislators voiced concerns over the governor’s stance but emphasized that public input would play a critical role in shaping future election policies.
Governor Gordon signed several bills into law, including:
- Public Utilities-Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Limits (HB 192) – Requires utility companies to manage wildfire risks, potentially lowering costs for ratepayers.
- Child Custody and Sex Offense Conviction Presumption (HB 83) – Establishes legal guidelines for custody decisions involving registered sex offenders.
- Prohibiting Foreign Funding of Ballot Measures (HB 337) – Prevents foreign nationals from funding or influencing Wyoming ballot initiatives.
- Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 207) – Protects individuals and businesses from government actions that substantially burden religious beliefs.
- School Finance Model Recalibration (HB 316) – Creates a committee to adjust school funding to better reflect education costs.
- Immunity for Drug Overdose Reporting (SF 74) – Grants limited legal immunity for individuals reporting drug overdoses, with conditions for repeat cases.
- Child Witness Protection in Court (SF 100) – Allows child victims of sexual assault or human trafficking to testify remotely or with special accommodations.
- Support for Rural Schools (HJ 3) – Reaffirms the Legislature’s commitment to maintaining small rural schools across the state.
Although the 2025 session has ended, legislative work continues. Lawmakers will soon begin interim committee meetings across Wyoming, studying key issues and preparing legislation for the 2026 session.
As Governor Gordon reviews remaining bills, he has 15 days to take action on those still awaiting his signature. A full list of legislation from the session can be found on the Wyoming Legislature’s website, and updates on the governor’s decisions are available on his official website.
With the legislative session now concluded, Wyoming lawmakers return to their communities to engage with residents, gather feedback, and prepare for the state’s next steps.
