Musk Weighs In on Wyoming ‘Grooming’ Bill Vote, But Opposition Crossed Party Lines

A routine legislative vote in Wyoming caught the attention of one of the world’s most prominent tech billionaires on Tuesday, after Elon Musk highlighted that all House Democrats had opposed a bill to establish specific criminal penalties for the grooming of minors. However, the social media firestorm largely omitted that 13 Republicans also voted against the measure.

House Bill 9, which seeks to define grooming behaviors and set tiered penalties based on the ages of victims and perpetrators, barely cleared the two-thirds introduction threshold required during the budget session, passing 43-19. The bill’s narrow survival came despite unanimous Democratic opposition—a detail seized upon by Musk, who reposted a “Libs of TikTok” thread with the roll call and added a one-word comment: “Wow.”

What Musk’s 234 million followers did not see in that viral post was the full picture. Thirteen House Republicans joined every Democrat in voting no. Several lawmakers from both parties cited the same reason: the compressed, 21-day budget session is not the place for policy debates that can wait for a general session, and the crimes described are already covered under existing stalking and sexual abuse statutes.

“It was my understanding that the crimes described in the bill are already covered by existing laws,” said Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson. “I don’t need to use time in a budget session on bills that are being used as political props instead of solving problems.” Rep. Ken Clouston, R-Gillette, echoed that sentiment, noting that a companion bill, HB 8 (which addresses stalking of minors and passed unanimously), combined with current law, may already achieve the same result.

The bill’s supporters, including the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, argue HB 9 is necessary to bridge a critical gap. Executive Director Allen Thompson stated the legislation helps define the transition from stalking to active grooming, adding a felony-level prosecution option for conduct that falls short of physical sexual assault. “This adds that felony level prosecution when it goes past stalking but doesn’t rise to sexual assault or sexual exploitation of children,” Thompson said.

HB 9 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, though no hearing date has been set. Its future remains uncertain, caught between concerns over legislative process and the intense political spotlight now cast upon it.