WyoFile is committed to ensuring our readers have the verifiable, factual information they need to participate effectively in civic life, including pertinent information about what’s happening at the statehouse during the session. We believe Wyoming residents need to know where lawmakers stand on important issues and what interests might influence their decisions. WyoFile will examine the Legislature’s efforts to address Wyoming’s most pressing issues. Here’s the latest:
Wyoming Business Council future unclear as two chambers support different visions
Senate and House budget bills for next two years include very different dollar amounts for the state’s economic development arm.
Wyoming lawmakers: Fossil fuels need taxpayer dollars to ‘dominate’
A Trump-backed bill would create a $105 million “energy dominance” fund, while a 2% tax break would go to ‘enhanced oil recovery’ producers.
Wyoming Game and Fish seeks $400,000 in property tax relief
The wildlife agency wants property tax relief amid cost-cutting as the department braces for a revenue decline due, in part, to fewer hunting licenses for rebounding mule deer and antelope herds.
Wyoming House check investigation committee to begin work Thursday
The investigative panel is charged with examining distribution of campaign checks to lawmakers on the House floor.
Medicaid bills for ground ambulance, birth center services advance
Measures would increase reimbursement to EMS services and authorize it for birth centers, giving a financial leg up for two medical areas that struggle for sustainability.
After abortion ruling, lawmaker tries to deny Wyoming court security funding
The House struck down Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams’ amendment to deny about $3.6M in funding for court security.
Smooth sailing so far for bill to address long mental health holds in jails
The measure would allow the state to reimburse county sheriffs for providing mental health services and housing inmates awaiting competency evaluations. It cleared its first hurdle Friday in the House.
Wyoming House now pursuing UW funding cut of at least $20 million
The cut could grow to $40 million if the university does not report to lawmakers with $5 million in cost savings by December.
Senate finishes last round of budget changes while House only scratches the surface
By the time their Senate colleagues completed business late Friday afternoon, House lawmakers still had almost 100 budget amendments to go.
Cheyenne Roundup 2026: Episode 3 | All the budget’s amendments. Plus, a Checkgate update
Week two of the budget session is when all lawmakers get their first chance to weigh in on how much, and on what, the state will spend over the next two years. There were late nights and tense debates.
Freedom Caucus stays firm on $13 million cheatgrass-spraying cut as invasive grass tightens its grip on Wyoming
Efforts to restore funding in the House failed in a 26-34 split, with further-right lawmakers aligned with the caucus voting as a block to reduce spending on addressing invaded rangelands.
Senate approves school recalibration bill with additional funding
The additional money would increase teacher salaries, add nurse and counselor positions at elementary schools and set a minimum number of teachers for small school districts, among other changes.
Lawmakers pull the cord on plug-in solar bill
Utilities warned of safety hazards. Proponents insist reputable products meet national codes, help customers combat rising electricity rates.
Wyoming House OKs move that could fund community colleges’ construction projects
Amendment sparks debate while seeking to restore the state’s traditional match for community college projects.
Emotional night in Wyoming House as Speaker Neiman tells ‘whole story’ of check controversy
Meanwhile, lawmakers voted against the wishes of a special committee leader. The House will now conduct its inquiry in parallel with a Laramie County enforcement investigation.
‘It looks bad’: Checkgate investigation reverberates around Wyoming
Elected officials, politicians, constituent question timing and location of campaign donations, with one calling it ‘an absolute stain.’
Zoning protest bill passes Senate committee
The bill aims to enable the construction of more affordable housing.
House rebuffs attempt to restore $40M to UW, but adds back funding for athletics
Some lawmakers questioned why a blanket $40 million cut was the path their colleagues chose to address concerns about the school.
Senate bill tries more flexible approach to cellphones in classrooms
Legislation would require school districts to adopt policies that govern student possession and use of cellphones and devices in schools.
House trails behind Senate as first round of budget deliberations slogs into second day
House lawmakers have a long day ahead as they work through remaining budget amendments Wednesday. The Senate, meanwhile, concluded its first round of budget negotiations Tuesday afternoon.
Desperate in failing Colorado River negotiations, Wyoming water officials pitch conservation bill at home
Historically bad snow and water conditions raise stakes for Colorado River basin states as feds prepare to intervene.
Senate and House budgets diverge as upper chamber rejects funding cuts
With more work expected Thursday, the two chambers are already set for a budget showdown.
Gov. Mark Gordon bans campaign contributions in state buildings in response to Wyoming check controversy
Ban does not apply to areas where the Wyoming Legislature has jurisdiction, including the Wyoming House and Senate.
Wyoming House special committee pauses check-passing investigation while sheriff’s office conducts criminal inquiry
Rep. Art Washut, committee’s chairman, said the pause was needed to avoid interfering with law enforcement.
Funding for Wyoming’s first professional wildland firefighting teams clears the House
Frontrunner locations for where two ground-based crews might be based are Lander and Douglas.
Effort to save, reform Business Council advances; Freedom Caucus presses to defund it.
A Senate committee passed a measure Monday to reform the agency, with an amendment to put lawmakers in charge rather than form a task force.
Freedom Caucus lawmaker Bear accepted controversial campaign check from activist; other legislators remain mum
Gillette Republican Rep. John Bear said he accepted a check from Bextel, but not on the House floor.
Lummis touts One Big Beautiful Bill, digital assets in address to state lawmakers
Senator announces Kraken, a cryptocurrency exchange, will contribute to Trump Accounts for Wyoming babies born in 2026.
Freedom Caucus wants UW to change course, setting up budget negotiations at statehouse
After reviewing budget recommendations for the state’s lone four-year university, lawmakers will start Tuesday to add amendments to shape state funding, including for the school.
Strapped at the Cap’: Lawmakers and lobbyists take advantage of the Wyoming Capitol’s repealed gun-free zone
The 2026 budget session is the first time lawmakers and others are allowed to bring concealed firearms into the Wyoming Capitol while the Legislature conducts its business. Some Capitol denizens are taking advantage.
Laramie County sheriff launches criminal investigation into Wyoming Legislature check controversy
The inquiry will examine whether campaign donation checks distributed to lawmakers amount to bribery.
Senate panel advances bill to increase accountability for commercial registered agents
More than 830,000 LLC filings generated almost $60M for Wyoming last year, but secrecy raises concern about fraud, scams.
Donor: Two checks given to Bextel were intended for pair of Wyoming Legislature’s most powerful lawmakers
Don Grasso, the donor who wrote checks that activist Rebecca Bextel distributed, identified 10 people he intended to support. Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, and Wyoming Freedom Caucus leader Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, were among them. It’s unknown whether either received their intended $1,500.
Cheyenne Roundup 2026: Episode 2 | Checkgate, dead bills and the start of the session
Bills are flying and dying in the Wyoming Legislature’s budget session. And lawmakers haven’t even touched the budget itself yet.
Public school funding measure stays alive in Senate
The bill fulfills the Wyoming Legislature’s constitutional duty to regularly recalibrate how public schools are funded. Its failure in the House was a “surprise.”
Wyoming lawmakers will investigate checks activist gave to legislators on House floor
The incident in question occurred Monday night when Rebecca Bextel of Jackson handed out campaign donation checks. The House voted unanimously in support of the investigation.
Wyoming Senate considers ban, launches own inquiry after activist hands checks to lawmakers
All but two Senators signed letter condemning Bextel’s check delivery as upper chamber leadership mulls rule changes.
Bill to put abortion-related question to voters fails Senate introduction
The measure would have asked voters to amend the Wyoming Constitution so the Legislature can define health care. It comes on the heels of a Wyoming Supreme Court decision striking down state abortion bans.
Measure to repeal Wyoming coal carbon capture mandate advances
The mandate has tapped ratepayers for about $5 million, repeal proponents argue — an expense unnecessary under the Trump administration’s rollback of emission regulations.
Lawmakers advance bills to protect pregnancy centers, extend Medicaid coverage to birthing facilities
Both measures stem from efforts to address maternity care gaps, though skeptics say the pregnancy center bill is more focused on abortion politics than care for mothers.
Lawmakers work to create process for removing municipal officials
While legislators want to give voters a way to recall mayors and town councilors, some want more time to study the matter.
Conservative activist hands checks to lawmakers on Wyoming House floor. Controversy erupts.
Rebecca Bextel of Jackson admitted to “delivering lawful campaign checks from Teton County donors.” Republican, Democratic lawmakers cry foul.
Fourth time’s a charm? Lawmaker tries again to ban Wyoming’s practice of chasing, striking wildlife with snowmobiles
Bill introduced on Wednesday proposes language that would end an era of recreationally running over foxes, coyotes, wolves and other animals on public land.
House makes first move to expand concealed carry, other gun rights in Wyoming
A measure to lower the required age for getting a concealed carry permit sailed through its introductory vote Tuesday. A number of other gun bills also got favorable votes, but many hurdles still remain for these proposals to become law.
Nuclear waste referendum fails House vote
The Freedom Caucus-backed measure would have banned nuclear fuel waste storage unless approved by voters on a case-by-case basis.
Senate advances $8M study to fix aging wastewater and stormwater systems
Towns struggle to afford long overdue upgrades, and Senate File 69 proponents say study will pinpoint costs.
Lawyers argue about giving public money to private education during Wyoming Supreme Court appeal
When a lower court halted the program, it prevented the state from disbursing any funds to the nearly 4,000 applicants who had signed up. The state appealed to the higher court.
Wyoming Freedom Caucus calls foul on committee bill decimation
In a blow to the Republican group’s majority bloc, 21 committee bills failed introduction on Monday in the House— more than twice the number the caucus killed in the last budget session, when it was in the minority.
Wyoming Senate decisively shoots down two controversial ‘landowner’ hunting tag bills
One related measure did survive: a proposal giving the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission latitude to set limits for licenses earmarked for property owners in advance of public lotteries.
A morning at the Wyoming Capitol: How the budget session’s first day unfolded
The legislative day started quietly, but soon gave way to passionate speeches on budget cuts and judicial independence.
Lawmakers shoot down slate of election bills on day one
Six committee-sponsored election bills failed introduction in the Wyoming House. Another died in the Senate.
School funding bill dies in Wyoming House
The Legislature is constitutionally required to undergo so-called ‘recalibration.’ The bill, drafted in the legislative off season, was unpopular among educators.
After court ruling, Wyoming lawmakers brace for another abortion fight
House Speaker Chip Neiman filed a bill that would restrict abortion except in the earliest weeks of pregnancy.
‘Judicial decisions are not political statements,’ Wyoming chief justice says following abortion ruling criticism
In her first State of the Judiciary address, Chief Justice Lynne Boomgaarden defended Wyoming’s high court amid legislative attacks.
State of the State: Gordon urges lawmakers to restore his $11.1B budget
The human cost of budget cuts was a recurring theme in the governor’s address.
Wyoming Legislature live: Gordon’s speech draws mixed reaction
Follow along on day one of the budget session as WyoFile brings you the latest news from the Capitol in Cheyenne.
Wyoming lawmakers exempt two UW programs, one facility from proposed $40 million cut
Lawmakers had previously exempted the education and agriculture colleges from what would amount to an 11% reduction to the school’s block grant.
Cheyenne Roundup 2026: Episode 1 | How Wyoming’s budget gets made
The 68th Wyoming Legislature begins its budget session on Monday, Feb. 9. Lawmakers’ main duty: Passing a balanced budget for the next two years. A task easier said than done.
Rock Springs senator seeks lengthy prison sentences for impeding federal agents
Proposed penalty could potentially be more severe than punishment for aggravated vehicular homicide — killing someone by recklessly driving a vehicle.
Wyoming’s 2026 budget session starts Monday. Here’s what you need to know.
Lawmakers have a budget to pass this year. Major cuts to the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Business Council are on the table.
Killing in self-defense is legal in Wyoming. A new bill proposes compensating people who faced charges for exercising that right.
A new bill would require Wyoming counties to reimburse people who fend off criminal charges because they lawfully used self-defense.
Lawmakers will tackle public school funding, literacy, cell phones, student discipline
With a breakneck schedule expected for the Wyoming Legislature’s budget session beginning Monday, here are school-related bills to watch.
Bill would resolve penny conundrum in Wyoming after feds stop making cents
A uniform method of rounding cash payments – half up and half down – is proposed when exact change is not available.
Medicaid, maternity care and rural initiatives: Health care legislation to watch this session
Wyoming legislators will mull bills critical to deploying federal Rural Health Transformation Program dollars along with measures to increase Medicaid reimbursement for services like maternity care, birthing centers and EMS.
Cody students continue push for suicide prevention rules in Wyoming schools. Will lawmakers agree this time?
The Wyoming State Board of Education includes suicide prevention education for students in its health and safety standards, but advocates say those requirements aren’t enough.
Where Wyoming’s gubernatorial candidates stand on budget cuts
WyoFile asked the five candidates whether they supported some of the more drastic proposals lawmakers will consider in the upcoming legislative session.
Wyoming faces $700M for statewide water infrastructure needs
Water office director points to old irrigation canals and aging town plants as lawmaker questions his operations.
Stiffer penalties and new rules: Wyoming justice, policing and public safety issues to watch this session
Lawmakers will mull issues ranging from housing inmates with mental health needs to funding Wyoming’s beleaguered 911 system.
Lawmakers will not strip $58M in tribal health funds from budget
Public decried January vote as unnecessary and cruel. Appropriations chair Bear assured it was an accounting maneuver and “the funding was never ever in jeopardy.”
After pushback, legislative committee scales back proposed cuts to public education
Lawmakers tweaked provisions that would have increased class size and omitted positions like school counselors from the funding model. This came after hours of testimony, much in opposition.
Rep. Bill Allemand asks judge to rescind court-ordered alcohol testing during upcoming legislative session
The Midwest lawmaker is contesting his DUI charge following his arrest last month in Johnson County.
A Wyoming lawmaker wants to sell state land at $1 per acre for affordable housing
A legislator wants to sell “unnecessary” state lands for “homestead clusters” of 10-acre lots to achieve the American Dream. Plus, he says it “might help the habitat.”
Nuclear waste, state land use top Wyoming Legislature’s energy agenda
Recent controversies over sprawling energy development have triggered a slate of bills to empower voters and communities in state-level energy ambitions.
Gordon quashes Board of Equalization lawsuit against property tax cap
The move by the governor comes a day after WyoFile reported that the board was planning to mount a legal challenge against another state agency.
Staring down possible layoffs, University of Wyoming’s president speaks out against proposed budget cuts
Ed Seidel has historically avoided wading into the day-to-day affairs of the Wyoming Legislature. But a proposal to slash UW’s recommended block grant by $40 million — a move that could result in job losses — pushed him to break his typical silence.
Wyoming Board of Equalization readies lawsuit challenging residential property tax cap
A complaint, expected Jan. 22, will argue the law, which the Legislature adopted in 2024, is unconstitutional.
Judge rejects effort to toss criminal case against Weston County clerk
Becky Hadlock’s attorney says lawmakers lacked the legal authority to subpoena his client, making the case against her invalid. The court was unswayed.
Rural health care dollars buoy Wyoming hospitals, providers as lawmakers get on board
Legislators took a first crack at a measure that will establish major components of Wyoming’s $205M plans. Representatives of facilities like Riverton’s new hospital are encouraged by proposed funding opportunities.
Lawmakers advance bill to dismantle Wyoming Business Council despite governor’s office objections
The legislative panel proposing to defund the economic development shop wants to shuffle some programs to other state agencies.
Wyoming lawmakers clash over where to stash $250M in surplus revenue
Members of the Joint Appropriations Committee split Wednesday over whether to put the quarter of a billion dollars into temporary or permanent savings accounts.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.