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Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 36

The 36th and next-to-last day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session featured overrides of multiple vetoes the governor made and discussion about adding 14% more on to a 25% property tax cut already signed into law by the governor.

Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto Of Ultrasound Abortion Bill

The Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday overrode Gov. Mark Gordon’s veto of a bill requiring women to get ultrasounds before getting abortion pills. The Senate voted 22-9 to override and the House voted 45-16.

Senate Overrides Gordon’s Veto Of DOGE-Esque Bill To Scrutinize State Agency Rules

The Wyoming Senate overrode Gov. Mark Gordon’s veto of a bill Wednesday that will bring DOGE-esque scrutiny to Wyoming’s state agencies and their rules. Gordon calls the law “another solution in search of a problem.”

Wyoming Ban On Sanctuary Cities Hits Gordon's Desk

A law banning sanctuary city immigration policies in Wyoming awaits a signature or veto from Gov. Mark Gordon after the Legislature approved it Wednesday. Meanwhile, four U.S. mayors were grilled by Congress over their immigration-friendly policies.

Wyoming Congressional Delegation Mum On Defunding NPR And PBS

A bill to stop funding National Public Radio and the PBS Newshour might seem like a slam-dunk to pass a Republican-controlled Congress. But it's not so simple, says U.S. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso.

Wyoming Governor Signs Trans Bathroom, Changing Room Ban Into Law

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill that allows people to sue the state if they encounter a biologically born male in a female-designated restroom or changing room in a public facility, and vice versa.

Dick Cheney Federal Building In Casper Shows Up On Federal Hit List To Be Sold

Dick Cheney has been on President Donald Trump’s political hit list for some time. Now a federal building named for the former vice president was on a Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) hit list to be sold amid a federal downsizing frenzy.

Gordon Signs 25% Property Tax Cut Into Law, More Relief Still Possible

Wyoming homeowners can plan on receiving a 25% reduction off their taxes due to Gov. Mark Gordon signing Senate Enrolled Act 60 into law on Tuesday night. Even more relief is possible as another bill is still being considered.

Barrasso, Lummis Cheer Trump's Speech and “Commitment To American Greatness”

Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis cheered President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night. Barrasso said Trump has shown a “commitment to American greatness" while Lummis praised the president's "lightning speed" in getting things done.

Wyoming Governor Signs Government DEI Ban Into Law

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed into a law a bill banning DEI programs at government agencies, while also vetoing another similar bill. The bill he vetoed, he said, was ill-defined and overly broad. 

Wyoming Legislative Recap Day 35

Day 35 of the Wyoming Legislature saw overrides on a few of Gov. Mark Gordon’s vetoes from the previous night and a few other bills sent to his desk.

Wolf Torture Leads List Of New High-Profile Wyoming Wildlife Laws

A “clean-kill” predator law prompted by the high-profile torture of a wolf leads a list of new Wyoming wildlife rules. This 2025 session also saw new regulations for fishing guides and dogs caught in traps.

Senate Kills Seven Election Bills, Including Ban On Ballot Drop Boxes

It was a mass-killing of bills in one sitting when the Wyoming Senate let seven election security bills die going into the last week of the session. They were part of a slate of election bills pushed by Chuck Gray, who criticized the move.

Wyoming Can’t Cut Trees Fast Or Soon Enough, Timber Industry Says

Wyoming needs to kick its timber cutting into high gear or risk another catastrophic wildfire season, foresters told the Legislature on Tuesday. The danger is especially high in the Black Hills region, they say.

Wyoming Legislature Overrides Governor’s Mystery Drone Veto

The Wyoming Legislature on Tuesday afternoon overrode the governor’s veto of a bill that gives local officials authority to deal with mystery drones over critical infrastructure. That includes allowing law enforcement to bring them down.

Barrasso Says Senate Democrats Who Killed Federal Trans Sports Law 'Out Of Touch'

Sen. John Barrasso says Senate Democrats are "out of touch" in blocking a federal bill Monday to ban males from female school sports. The move came days after two bills that would have expanded Wyoming’s state-level trans sports ban died, while one remains viable.

Gordon To Sign Bill To Provide $7,000 Per Child School Vouchers For K-12

Gov. Mark Gordon says he’ll sign a bill that creates a universal school voucher system for K-12 and expand the state’s existing pre-K program. That means $7,000 per child to pay for private education for parents who choose it.

Gordon Vetoes Bill To Fight Mystery Drones, Wyoming Sheriff Still Worried

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill late Monday meant to give state law enforcement more options to deal with mystery drones over critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, one Wyoming sheriff says the mysterious aircraft are still being reported.

Gordon Vetoes Bill Requiring Women To Get Ultrasounds Before Abortions

Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill Monday night that would require women in Wyoming get ultrasounds before getting the abortion pill. He called the proposal “personally invasive” and an “often medically unnecessary procedure.”

Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 34

With only days left in the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, tempers Monday were flaring over the supplemental budget being scrapped and what that means for the items inside it.

Gordon Reluctantly Allows New Law Voiding Out-Of-State Driver’s Licenses For Illegals

Gov. Mark Gordon reluctantly let a bill pass into law that voids out-of-state driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. He says he’s concerned the new law will violate a compact Wyoming has with other states.

Cheyenne Lawyer, Rancher Karen Budd-Falen Accepts Top Interior Department Post

Karen Budd-Falen, a Cheyenne rancher and lawyer, has been named to a high-level post in President Trump’s Interior Department. She tells Cowboy State Daily she accepted an offer to be associate deputy secretary for the department.

Driskill, Bear Throw Down With Accusations Of Lying, Wasting Tax Money

The legislative session may be winding down, but mudslinging between leading members of the Wyoming House and Senate is in mid-session form. Ogden Driskill and John Bear spent part of the weekend accusing each other of lying and wasting tax money.

Wyoming Homeschoolers “Thrilled” To Be Free Of Reporting Requirement

Wyoming homeschool families say they are “thrilled” with the passage of the Homeschool Freedom Act. It means they don't have to submit their curricula to local school districts.

Bill Moving Through Montana Legislature Would Let Parents Sue Over Drag Shows

Wyoming lawmakers recently chose not to advance a bill outlawing the use of public money for drag shows. Across the border in Montana, a bill is moving through the Legislature that would let parents sue over "hypersexualized" shows.

Trump Making English Official Language Long Overdue, Wyoming Delegation Says

President Donald Trump’s Saturday order making English the official language of the United States was long overdue, says Wyoming’s congressional delegation. Wyoming has already designated English the state’s official language.

Senate Rejects Last-Ditch House Compromise To Salvage Wyoming Budget

A last-ditch House compromise to salvage a supplemental budget from this Wyoming legislative session was rejected by the Senate on Monday. It paves the way for a mad dash to cram pieces of the budget into other bills.

Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 33

Day 33 of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session featured emotional testimony about closing Wyoming’s oldest K-8 school and money for a state shooting complex gutted.

Wyoming Workers Rally At Capitol To Protest Legislature, Trump Cuts

Around 150 Wyoming workers gathered outside the Capitol on Friday to protest moves by the Wyoming Legislature and Trump administration cuts.

Wyoming Delegation Backs Trump After Tense Meeting With Zelenskyy

Wyoming’s congressional delegation voiced strong support for President Trump after his explosive Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. “It’s nice to have a president who puts America first,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis said.  

Wyoming Close To Outlawing Buying And Selling Of 'Sexual Contact'

After surviving a close vote Thursday and getting approval from the Senate on Friday, a bill that would criminalize the sale and purchase of “sexual contact” in Wyoming is closer to becoming law.

Keep China Away From US Military Bases, Energy, Say Lummis And Barrasso

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has introduced legislation to ban anyone affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party from buying property next to federal lands in America. Sen. John Barrasso is a co-sponsor, saying “opening the door” puts national security at risk.

Wyoming Is Fifth State To Allow Guns In Public Schools Without Special Permission

With its pending elimination of gun-free zones, Wyoming will join New Hampshire, Alabama, Oregon and Utah in allowing people to carry concealed firearm in public school — without requiring the schools’ permission.

Wyoming To Make Rodeo-Themed License Plate In Response To PETA Rodeo Protest

A new Wyoming license plate that will be available next year will feature a rodeo theme. The lawmaker who pushed for new license plates says it was in response to a PETA effort to strip the bucking horse logo from plates because it glorifies rodeo.

Plans For $19.5M Wyoming Shooting Complex Stall As Senate Pulls Promised $10M

Boosters of a $19.5 million shooting complex south of Cody, Wyoming, hoped to start construction in April. Those hopes were dashed Friday when the state Senate declined to release $10 million in promised money for the project.

Property Tax Cut Bill Headed To Gov’s Desk, But Not Without Senator Calling It "Fertilizer"

A bill that would cut property taxes by 25% is officially headed to the governor’s desk, but not without some last-minute opposition from state Sen. Larry Hicks, who compared it to "fertilizer" for failing to provide backfill funding.

Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 32

The 32nd day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session saw Gov. Mark Gordon let a bill banning gun-free zones pass into law and lawmakers scrambling to smush parts of the supplemental budget that was thrown out on Wednesday into other bills.

Gordon Slams Legislators As He Lets Bill Banning Gun-Free Zones Go Into Law

Wyoming Gov Mark Gordon on Thursday let a bill banning gun-free zones go into law without his signature. In announcing his decision, he said the bill wasn’t about self-defense, rather it was about legislators “grabbing power.”

Parts Of Killed Supplemental Budget Getting Pushed Into Other Bills

Wyoming legislators were still grappling Thursday with their decision not to pass a supplemental budget. Instead, they’re trying to salvage parts of the budget by jamming them into other bills.

Hageman, Barrasso And Lummis Busy Helping Throw Out Biden’s Oil and Gas Rules

Hageman, Barrasso and Lummis are among Republicans who’ve been busy this week helping throw out Biden-era energy rules. They also helped defeat a Democrat-led challenge to Trump’s energy emergency declaration.

Casper Legislator Back On House Floor After Open Heart Surgery

State Rep. J.R. Riggins was back on the Wyoming House floor Thursday after missing almost all of the 2025 session with open heart surgery. He was given an ovation by the House, and called the attention “embarrassing.”

Wyoming Delegation Applauds Choice of UW Grad To Lead Forest Service

A University of Wyoming graduate has been picked as the new head of the U.S. Forest Service. Wyoming’s congressional delegation says Tom Schultz will “make America’s forests healthy and productive again.”

Wyoming Trans Bathroom Bans Headed To Governor's Desk

Wyoming legislators passed a bill Thursday that allows people to sue local governments if they allow biologically-born males to use women’s restrooms in public facilities, and vice versa. 

At 25%, Wyoming Senate, House Finally Agree On Property Tax Cut

After the Wyoming Senate and House couldn’t come together on a proposed property tax cut earlier in the week, they agreed on a 25% reduction Thursday. Now it appears on its way to the governor for approval.

Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 31

A huge announcement about the supplemental budget came on the 31st day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Wednesday with the Senate saying it won’t pass a supplemental budget.

Wyoming Senate Drops Bombshell, Refuses To Pass Supplemental Budget

The Wyoming Senate dropped a bombshell Wednesday evening announcing that it won’t pass a supplemental budget this year. It could be the first time either the Senate or House has ever made such a move.