Legislature gears up for 2021 General Session

The 2021 General Session of the Wyoming Legislature will gear up to kick off on March 1, reconvening after a nearly month-long break. Over the last several weeks, a number of committees held meetings, and legislators prepared for the final four weeks of session. 

            Beginning March 1 at 10 a.m., the General Session will be held in a hybrid format, both virtually and in-person. 

The first big event of session will happen on March 2 at 10 a.m., with the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary addresses by Gov. Mark Gordon and Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael K. Davis. The address will be streamed live on Wyoming PBS’s YouTube channel. 

Hybrid format

            While many legislators are expected to participate in-person in Cheyenne, the hybrid format of the session aims to accommodate citizens across the state. Members of the public are invited to participate either online or in-person, depending on their preference. 

            As noted in a press release from the Legislative Services Office (LSO), all members of the public participating in person will be required to comply with public health orders in place at the time, including the use of face coverings while inside the Capitol Complex. 

            “The public may also view the proceedings and participate in standing committee meetings remotely by using the ‘testify’ and YouTube links available on the Legislature’s website,” explains LSO. 

            Further, the Wyoming Legislature’s Online Hotline, found at wyoleg.gov/postComments/hotlinedisclaimer.aspx, offers the opportunity for citizens to simply voice support or opposition on specific bills to their legislators. 

To receive daily meeting and floor calendars, sign up for GovDelivery at wyoleg.gov.

Budget Week

            The week of March 8-12 is a particular highlight of the month-long in-person meetings of the Wyoming Legislature, as both bodies begin to discuss the budget for the State of Wyoming. 

            On March 8-9, the budget will be heard in Committee of the Whole, with the second reading set for March 10 and the third reading slated for March 12. Joint Conference Committee meetings on the budget will be held during the week of March 15, as necessary. 

            Meeting in-person is vital to conducting the discussions on the state’s budget, as well as to conduct other activities. 

            Rep. Hans Hunt comments, “It’s vitally important for us to resume business in person. Meeting virtually just has too many shortcomings, making it subpar to meeting in person, especially with important topics like the budget coming up.” 

            In next week’s Roundup, look for the update received by the Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee on federal policy changes which affect the agriculture industry. The meeting was held via Zoom and livestreamed on YouTube on Feb. 25. 

Saige Zespy is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.