CHEYENNE—Both the Wyoming House and Senate adjourned Thursday “sine die” — Latin for recessing “without date” for resumption — nixing uncertainty about when exactly the 2025 general session would conclude.
There had been chatter that lawmakers would stick it out for two more days to have the opportunity to override a potential gubernatorial override of a gun bill.
Senate File 196, “Second Amendment Protection Act amendments,” would amend current statute to further prohibit local law enforcement from helping the federal government enforce federal gun laws, according to the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
The Legislature did not shy away from overrides this session, choosing to overrule five of Gordon’s vetoes. But lawmakers must be in session to override a veto, so once the two chambers adjourn sine die, the governor’s red pen becomes that much mightier.
Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, and Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, announced they would keep with the schedule in a joint statement Thursday afternoon.
“Unfortunately, the Governor is working through a significant amount of legislation, and timing may result in SF 196 not passing this year. The good news is that President Donald Trump won the 2024 election, and the threat from the Federal Government is small for now,” the two leaders wrote.
The joint message signaled a moment of unity after a session sometimes characterized by strife and finger pointing between the two chambers.
“Both the House and the Senate are committed to adopting SF 196 exactly as passed this year,” they wrote. If the governor vetoes the bill, “as is his prerogative,” the two lawmakers promised to immediately take up the issue again in 2026.
“We will thoughtfully consider any concerns that the Governor brings to our attention and will work with him to get good policy passed in Wyoming,” they wrote.
As is tradition, the session ended with remarks in both chambers by the governor, who thanked lawmakers for their work.
“It seems like it might have been a year, but I hope it’s been as fun as the brochures advertised,” Gordon told the House. “But I will say thank you for being together, for working always for the people of Wyoming.”
Gordon did not indicate the fate of SF 196 or any other bill that now awaits his decision. But he did point lawmakers to a passage from the Bible’s book of Micah.
“This is something I’ve been reading to myself the last couple of nights, trying to come to grips with what that means,” Gordon said. “I think it’s important now in Wyoming, we think about those verses. It’s not about what we say, as much as it is about what we do.”
Gordon has until the end of March 21 to decide on remaining legislation.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the deadline for Gov. Mark Gordon to act on remaining legislation. —Ed.
Make it a law if you post your property. No hunting the land owner can’t hunt on it. And no trophy. Elk not taken and he must allow other people to hunt on it too . And no monetary. Funds paid. To the land owner for the damages that elk and deer antelope do the property .
Walk in is a good thing and people. Respect your property
People. Like the XBARX. WILL NOT LET VETERANS INTO HUNT
Thank God!
Will said it best:
“People’s good deeds we write in water. The evil deeds are etched in brass.”
You mean the circus and second council of Nicea is over?
As the 68th Wyoming Calving and Lambing season finally gets underway the citizen legislators will now rise from their seats to begin their long annual migrations from state house to calving shed and pasture. There they will continue their noble quest to differentiate the bulls from the heifers, and to dive elbow and shoulder deep into motherhood’s miracles and mysteries. Some will stick there fingers and their noses in places where they don’t belong, and some will get kicked in the teeth as a result. May they gain valuable knowledge and insight in these moments. May the wax be knocked from their ear canals that they shall be better able to hear the voices of “all of their friends and neighbors” as a result. May they bring this new found wisdom back with them to Cheyenne in 2026 and may they share these truths with the 69th gathering of sages beneath the great rotunda. We the people thank you for your past service and pray that you strive to do a better job next year…
Thank goodness. What a complete embarrassment that was
Special thanks to all our State Reps, both the Legislative and Executive branches. Very long days, lots of travel and time away from home putting it all together as best you can for us. The world didn’t end, the sky didn’t fall and the sun still rises in the east. Wonderful Wyoming rocks!
I think that Wyoming should legalize Marijuana
I work for Big Horn Enterprises and it’s a dog gone shame they make more money working at a fast food restaurant then I do as a DSP..then to hear that senate wanted to cut our funding..Thank you governor for sticking up for us Lil people who work hard to live paycheck to paycheck