The recently concluded Wyoming legislative session was marked by significant policy shifts, bold political maneuvers, and a growing willingness to challenge federal authority on key issues, Wyo File reports.
Lawmakers championed school choice, enacted a major property tax cut, and overrode several vetoes by Governor Mark Gordon. The session also saw increased litigation over national issues and a historic first: the Wyoming Senate declining to pass a supplemental budget.
Here are six major takeaways from this pivotal session:
1. Expansion of School Choice
Education reform was a focal point, with lawmakers advancing policies aimed at increasing school choice for Wyoming families. The passage of the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act established a universal school voucher program, providing $7,000 per student annually for K-12 non-public schooling expenses. This legislation, while celebrated by supporters as a victory for parental rights, is expected to face legal challenges on constitutional grounds. Meanwhile, the Homeschool Freedom Act removed reporting requirements for homeschool parents, further expanding educational options.
2. Governor’s Vetoes Met with Resistance
Governor Gordon exercised his veto power on multiple bills, but lawmakers successfully overrode five out of six of his rejections. Notably, a bill imposing additional requirements on abortion access, including a 48-hour waiting period and an ultrasound mandate, was passed despite his veto. This marked a shift in legislative assertiveness, signaling a willingness to challenge the governor’s authority more aggressively than in past sessions.
3. Immigration Enforcement Measures Gain Traction
Wyoming legislators took a firm stance on immigration enforcement, passing a law that invalidates driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants in other states. They also approved a bill opposing sanctuary cities—despite Wyoming having no such jurisdictions. These actions align with a broader national trend of states asserting more control over immigration policy, traditionally a federal domain.
4. Senate Blocks Federal Land Transfer Proposal
A controversial resolution demanding control of federal lands in Wyoming, excluding Yellowstone National Park, was narrowly defeated in the Senate. Proponents argued that the federal government had an obligation to transfer these lands to the state, while opponents viewed the measure as unconstitutional and a threat to public land access. The rejection of the resolution maintained the status quo, preserving federal oversight of Wyoming’s vast public lands.
5. Wildlife Management Measures Largely Defeated
Several high-profile wildlife-related bills failed to pass, including a proposal to overhaul mountain lion hunting regulations and another seeking to legalize grizzly bear hunting despite federal protections. Efforts to prohibit running over wildlife with snowmobiles were also unsuccessful. While some measures passed—such as increased penalties for wildlife abuse—lawmakers generally refrained from making drastic changes to Wyoming’s wildlife policies.
6. Strong Support for Fossil Fuels
The legislature continued its strong support for Wyoming’s fossil fuel industry, approving tax cuts for coal producers and incentives for enhanced oil recovery. Lawmakers also sought to repeal carbon reduction mandates, though some of these efforts failed. Renewable energy initiatives faced resistance, with proposals to expand net metering for rooftop solar being rejected. However, attempts to impose a moratorium on wind and solar projects were also unsuccessful, highlighting an ongoing debate over the state’s energy future.
