Wyoming Legislature Recap – Day 4

• The Joint Appropriations Committee sent a shot across the bow to the executive branch Friday, overriding about 20 vetoes Gov. Mark Gordon made in his biennial budget last year.

• A Republican lawmaker’s attempt to define sex by birth certificate instead of biology failed Friday as the “What is a Woman Act” had its second reading on the Wyoming House floor.

• A bill that would ban people in the U.S. illegally from driving in Wyoming, even if they have a license from another state, sailed through a House committee Friday. 

• The debate over whether to repeal Wyoming’s gun-free zones heated up again Friday. A bill before the Legislature similar to one Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed last year is back, but its sponsor says it wouldn’t mean AR-15s in the state Capitol.

• An anti-ESG bill that would block investment into companies that go against Wyoming’s oil and gas industries hit a wall of opposition Friday. That includes state Treasurer Curt Meier, who said half his staff could walk out if the bill passes.

• Rock climbers are urging the Legislature to make it easier for landowners to allow access to some of Wyoming’s best climbing areas. A bill would specifically say landowners who allow rock climbers onto their property won’t be liable if they’re hurt.

• A bill introduced Friday to the House Education Committee would give homeschool parents in Wyoming extremely broad freedom over what they teach, removing requirements that they would have to submit their curriculum for approval each year.

• University of Wyoming volleyball player Macey Boggs urged the Wyoming Senate Education Committee on Friday to expand a transgender sports ban to the college level. 

Bits And Pieces: State Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, gave a shout out out to the University of Wyoming men’s basketball team, which is playing rival Colorado State on Saturday in the annual Border War. … House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, wore a UW-themed tie to show he’s riding for the brand. … The adjourned early Friday, allowing lawmakers to leave the Capitol before driving conditions became too treacherous. The conditions were already slippery outside the Capitol by mid-day, with at least one reporter slipping and falling for all to see.

Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.