Wyoming 2025 Legislative General Session continues

The 2025 Legislative General Session commenced on Jan. 14, and during the dynamic first week, Wyoming’s legislators engaged in thoughtful floor debates while committees diligently reviewed proposed bills. 

Several important and timely issues were discussed, and an update is provided below.

Proof of voter residency registration

On Jan. 16, the Wyoming Legislature’s House Corporations Committee passed House Bill (HB) 156 and HB157 which require proof of U.S. citizenship and Wyoming registration to register to vote in Wyoming.

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray testified in support of both bills and released a press release following his testimony.

“I am very pleased by the committee’s passage of these commonsense, conservative, election integrity bills,” Gray says. “By requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and Wyoming’s residency, we will ensure only Wyomingites are voting in Wyoming elections. I want to commend the committee’s passage of these bills, and I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to achieve meaningful, conservative reform.”

As of Jan. 22, both bills passed the House in their third readings and were received for introduction in the Senate.

Paralleling the House bills is Senate File (SF) 33, which successfully passed its third reading in the Senate on Jan. 22, sponsored by the Senate Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee.

This legislation proposes the addition of a new line on identification cards which will read “Not U.S.,” as well as incorporating green coloring in the banner, the Bucking Horse logo and a disclaimer reflecting the citizenship status of the cardholder. 

This initiative aims to provide clear identification while ensuring individuals’ citizenship status is accurately represented.

Prohibiting foreign adversaries

On Jan. 16, the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously voted in favor of SF076, which prohibits foreign adversaries from establishing operations near critical infrastructure in Wyoming. 

SF076 mandates the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security to review and investigate property transfers near such infrastructure to ensure none are transferred to prohibited foreign entities. 

“We do not have the capacity to create this program at this point in time,” Wyoming Office of Homeland Security Director Lynn Budd states. “And while the bill does give us two additional folks, in looking at all of the different tasks that are part of this bill, we don’t believe we can do it with just two people.”

She points out, with more than one million real estate transactions taking place in Wyoming each year, the responsibilities outlined in the bill may necessitate a greater number of personnel and estimates her office would benefit from adding at least five additional employees to adequately fulfill the expectations set forth by the legislature. 

Budd conveys her recognition of the issue as a matter of national security and highlights the importance of safeguarding and supporting not only the citizens of Wyoming but also individuals of other states who rely on Wyoming’s resources and services.

“Many different states rely on us for energy production,” she says. “I think it’s incumbent upon us to protect infrastructure and do everything we can to make sure it is protected.”

During the testimony, Sen. Darin Smith (R-S06) inquired of Budd whether the system her office was developing would be able to identify a hypothetical business owned by an individual from a country deemed hostile, particularly if it were located in proximity to critical infrastructure.

Budd says she doesn’t believe the problem can be solved by what her office is setting up.

The bill received unanimous support after thoughtful public testimony and a concise discussion during the committee meeting.

Separate hunting season for deer 

The Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee cast a vote of four to one to advance SF003 to the full Senate on Jan. 21.

While opinions on the bill are diverse, supporters believe it could provide valuable assistance to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) in effectively managing deer populations and contributing to the conservation of the state’s vulnerable mule deer herds.

According to a Jan. 21 Cowboy State Daily article by Mark Heinz, it’s been the main argument of state Sen. Ogden Driskill (R-S01) who says whitetails have driven mule deer off of his family’s ranch.  

Driskill sponsored the 2024 bill to split white-tailed and mule deer management, but he is not sponsoring the current bill nor is he on the committee. However, he reiterated his support during this week’s testimony.

Advocates for splitting hunting licenses for Wyoming’s mule deer and white-tailed deer argue it would help conserve prized mulies.

But some argue it would have the opposite effect as more hunters would select to hunt mule deer over white-tailed deer.

This point was repeated to the committee by Joe Sandrini, who retired from WGFD in October 2024, after working in the Black Hills region as a game warden and biologist. 

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Co-Chair Buzz Hettick testified against the bill, stating hunters can choose on their own to focus on whitetails so new regulations aren’t needed. 

“I hunt whitetails because they’re really good eating,” he states during his testimony. “And I don’t feel like I’m shooting the last dodo bird or whatever you want to say. When I shoot a mule deer, I feel like I’m doing more harm to the herd than good.”

Additional outfitters testified against the bill, but speaking in favor of the bills was Bill Novotny, Johnson County commissioner and member of the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association.

“SF003 could create more opportunity for hunters,” Novotny adds. “If the hunting tags are split, WGFD might be able to issue more tags for whitetails.”

In the end, Sen. Bill Landen (R-S27) cast the sole vote against advancing SF003, while other committee members from across the state voted in favor of it.

Eliminate gun-free zones

HB172, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Haroldson (R-H04), aims to eliminate all gun-free zones in Wyoming. 

The bill successfully passed an initial vote on the House floor on Jan. 21, and if enacted, HB172 would permit the concealed carry of firearms in locations where it has previously been restricted, including state-run buildings and rooms where public meetings are conducted across Wyoming. 

However, the State Building Commission is working to remove gun-free zones, specifically in the Capitol, while still maintaining them in public committee meeting rooms. 

Haroldson argues this change does not go far enough and would create confusion for individuals carrying firearms who visit the Capitol. 

The second reading of the bill passed on Jan. 22. If it passes additional readings in the House, it will then move to the Senate for consideration.

Additional actions

Sponsored by the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee, HB091 seeks to establish guidelines which would prevent companies who are not classified as public utilities from condemning land for electrical collection systems. 

The bill made progress by successfully passing its second reading on Jan. 20. However, it did not advance in the third reading the following day. 

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.