Wyoming’s legislative session is the shortest in the nation. While several states have the same number of days allocated every two years (60), Wyoming separates those days allotted into 40 days in odd years and 20 days in even years. Even in that short amount of time, Wyoming tries to address the same amount of legislation as larger states. This makes a legislative session a sprint. Legislation can rapidly fly through the process. By the time most people know that the legislation is being heard, it may have died or be through the process completely.
We are nearing the end. Of the 20 bills we have been following, 8 bills are still up for final votes and 2 have completely passed the process.
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Bill Number |
Subject |
FPA-WY Position |
Status of the Bill (Committee) |
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| HB 073 | Birth Certificates – Gestational Agreements |
Opposed |
Concurrence Committee (Passed both chambers, legislators are reconciling differences between the two versions)Â |
| HB 085 | Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Image |
For |
Passed |
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| HB 161 | Human Life Equality-Prohibiting Discriminatory abortions |
For |
Placed in Senate General File |
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| HB 253 | University of Wyoming-ban on funding for abortions |
For |
Placed in Senate General File |
| SF 034 | Born Alive-Amendments |
For |
Placed on House General File |
| SF 087 | Voyeurism Amendments |
For |
Passed |
| SF 096 | Homicide Amendments |
For |
Passed |
| SF 100 | Internet Freedom-Prohibiting Discrimination |
For |
Died in House Judiciary Committee |
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| SF 130 | Charter Schools |
For |
Placed on House General File |
| SF 133 | Prohibit Abortifacients and Chemical Abortions |
For |
Not Assigned to House Committee |
| SF 138 | School board trustees-party affiliation. |
For |
Not Assigned to House Committee |
Each of these bills have been selected because of the particular impact they can have on life, religious freedom, and family values.
As the session closes, the joint committees from each chamber select issues to discuss between now and the next session. This year, the Joint Judiciary Committee has selected “Hate-Crimes” as one of its interim topics. Over the last several years, we have seen the “hate” label used as a means of punishing Christian business owners for fair business practices consistent with their consciences.
The Hate Crimes issue will continue to grow in importance. I will be providing more information as the issue moves through the legislature.
Sincerely,
Nathan Winters
Executive Director