Governor Gordon Signs Signature Piece of Legislation Supporting Mothers and Children and Another to Advance Property Tax Reform to Close SessionCHEYENNE, Wyo. – Fulfilling a priority outlined in his State of the State address, Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill to extend medical assistance to low-income mothers and children for 12 months after birth, and a joint resolution that allows Wyomingites to vote on a Constitutional amendment that is a first step in delivering residential property tax reform for Wyoming residents. This came on the final day of the Legislature’s 2023 General Session.
In an emotional public signing ceremony attended by legislators from both chambers and advocates for the bill, Governor Gordon described House Bill 4 - Medicaid twelve-month postpartum coverage as a “signature piece of pro-life legislation”. The bill extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from 90 days to 12 months and is expected to help between 1,000 and 2,000 low-income Wyoming mothers.
“We heard in the mental health summit we hosted last fall about the importance of getting mothers and children off to a good start. Taking care of both in that critical first year of development pays dividends down the road,” Governor Gordon said. “I couldn’t be more pleased sign a bill that does just that at the close of the session.”
Governor Gordon also signed Senate Joint Resolution 3 - Property tax residential property class. The joint resolution will place an amendment before Wyoming voters that would create a separate class for residential real property, allowing for the Legislature to reduce residential property tax assessments. The Governor described it as an opportunity to put the state on a path for long-term property tax relief for families.
In his closing remarks to both the Senate and House chambers, the Governor thanked the members for their service and for their work on a budget that puts more than $1 billion into savings. He also urged the members of the Legislature to continue seeking “Wyoming solutions to Wyoming problems,” in the interim instead of bringing forward legislation developed in Washington, DC by think tanks and lobbyists.
The Governor signed the following bills into law today:Enrolled Act # Bill# Bill TitleHEA0084 HB0004 Medicaid twelve-month postpartum coverage.SJ0003 SJ0003 Property tax residential property class.
It’s pretty arrogant to think that all bills made out of a state would be a bad fit for Wyoming
and
It’s his way of excusing more conservative bills not passing.
Excusing?
Well, Gordon probably didn't support them, so he doesn't need to excuse them. The one piece of notable legislation that came out of that quarter so far he let pass into law without his signature. That bill, banning "cross over" voting, will ironically lock recently crossed over Democrats into the GOP into the GOP, as most won't get around to switching back until the next primary season. Gray may be remembered as the man who created a left wing in the GOP.
Oops.
Otherwise, almost all of the real radical populist bills simply bit the dust at some point in the legislature. Interestingly, some of them bit the dust in the opposite house in both cases, with some populist bills dying in the Senate after passing the House, and vice versa. That might reflect committee assignments. Indeed, parliamentary moves clearly doomed some of them.
That became a late legislature flap when the Speaker of the House but a collection of them in his bottom drawer, only bringing them back out late in the session. This provoked a comment from Harriet Hageman, who in turn was told to shut and mind her own work by some notable state Republicans. By and large, the Speaker gained popularity for his moves and being open about them.
Already there are comments that the bloom has finally gone off of the "red" rose of the FC.
Lots of people are hoping so.
It may be too early for that, but it does seem something is up. The newly elected populists saw their legislative agenda simply fall flat. The legislature didn't pass education bills they sponsored. It didn't even pass the prohibitions on juvenile transgender mutilation, which would seem to have had widespread support. It didn't pass the gun 'em down trespass law. It didn't vote to castrate the National Guard.
Moreover, it did pass bills that the far right populist opposed. Jeanette Ward may have proclaimed that her Christian beliefs provided that we were not our brother's keepers, but the legislature felt that we were, being more in tune with the actual Christian Gospel. The GOP Central Committee came out in favor of allowing child marriages to remain a feature of Wyoming's law, but the legislature banned them anyway.
Other than the bill banning cross over voting, the bills that the far right supported that crossed the bar are those addressing abortion. But they had very broad conservative support, and at least in one case, were substantially amended. The far right can't really take credit for their passing, although they might be able to for getting them rolling. Be that as it may, there is now a long history in the legislature of action in this quarter.
In the meantime, nationally, hard right populist took hits. Fox News' commentators turned out to never believe the election lie but chose to keep telling it anyhow. Tucker Carlson keeps screaming about our support of Ukraine, with more and more people wondering why. Marjorie Taylor Green called for dissolving the union, with most people wondering what on earth is up with her.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon will hold a formal bill signing ceremony Thursday, March 9 beginning at 10 am in the Governor's Ceremonial Conference Room in the State Capitol Building. The ceremony is open to the public.
The Governor will sign the following bills:
Enrolled Act # Bill# Bill TitleHEA0081HB0074 Wyoming outdoor recreation and tourism trust fund.SEA0089 SF0094 Federal Indian Child Welfare Act codification.
Game and Fish begins implementation of 2023 legislative changes
3/9/2023 9:38:46 PM
CHEYENNE - The 2023 Wyoming Legislature passed several bills that will make changes to Wyoming Game and Fish Department laws and regulations. The following is a summary of the notable Game and Fish-related bills that passed, how they will impact the public and the next steps for implementation. Game and Fish will continue to provide updates as these changes move through the regulation process.
Hunting of predatory animals–amendments (HB0104)
Hunters will be allowed to hunt predatory animals on public or state land at night with the use of artificial light, including thermal and infrared imaging. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has been granted the authority to establish rules and regulations regarding the creation of zones, areas, seasons and methods for the taking of predatory animals with the use of artificial light on public or state land. Game and Fish will provide updates as these changes move through the regulation process.
Mountain lion pursuit seasons (SF0178)
Wyoming residents may be allowed to participate in a pursuit-only season for mountain lions with dogs in areas where mountain lion hunting is permitted. The take of mountain lions during a pursuit season is illegal and subject to misdemeanor charges and fines. Game and Fish will provide updates as these changes move through the regulation process.
Nonresident hunting license-application fees (HB0200)
Forty percent of nonresident deer, elk and antelope licenses are placed in the pool for the special draw. This bill increases the fees for those who apply for the special draw.
The special draw fee for elk, deer and antelope will increase to the following:
- Nonresident elk special fee: $1,258
- Nonresident deer special fee: $826
- Nonresident antelope special fee: $874
- Nonresident bighorn sheep license: $3,000
- Nonresident mountain goat license: $2,750
- Nonresident moose license: $2,750
- Nonresident grizzly bear license: $7,500
- Nonresident wild bison license: $6,000
Nonresidents who wish to enter the special draw for antelope, deer and elk are responsible for paying the special draw fee in addition to the license and application fee. This bill has no effect on the allocation or number of resident licenses. This bill goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Shed antlers and horns conservation stamp requirement for nonresidents (HB0276)
This bill establishes shed antlers and horns on public land as property of the state and requires nonresidents to obtain a conservation stamp prior to the collection of shed antlers and horns on designated lands. A conservation stamp will not be required for residents of Wyoming or any person under 15 years of age. Nonresidents will not be required to obtain a conservation stamp this year. Game and Fish will provide updates as these changes move through the regulation process.
Collection of antlers or horns by residents and nonresidents (HB0123)
Wyoming residents will have the opportunity to collect shed antlers on designated lands seven days before the start of the nonresident season. Currently, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulation prohibits anyone from collecting shed antlers or horns from public lands west of the Continental Divide, excluding the Great Divide Basin and some land west of Laramie, from Jan. 1 through 6 a.m on May 1. This bill goes into effect on July 1, 2023.
State shooting complex task force (SF0169)
This bill creates a 12-member task force that will oversee the creation of a state shooting, archery and education complex. Directors from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, State Parks and Cultural Resources and the Department of Tourism or their designee will be members along with other representatives of the Wyoming Legislature, a conservation group, a shooting sports group and the firearms manufacturing industry.
Defining aircraft for the purposes of hunting prohibitions (SF0033)
This bill provides a clear definition of aircraft in W.S. 23-3-306 which states the use of aircraft, automobiles, motorized and snow vehicles and artificial light for hunting or fishing purposes are not allowed. The definition of aircraft has been updated to include any machine or device capable of atmospheric flight including but not limited to an airplane, helicopter, glider, dirigible or unmanned aerial vehicle. This bill goes into effect July 1.
Unlawful trespass signage-taking of wildlife (HB0147)
Prohibits anyone from knowingly and without authorization to place signs that restrict access to public land. This bill goes into effect July 1.
Prohibit travel across private land for hunting purposes (SF056)
This bill prohibits anyone from entering, traveling through or returning across private property to take wildlife, hunt, fish or collect antlers or horns without the permission of the owner or the person in charge of the property. This bill goes into effect July 1.
— WGFD —
Governor Gordon Signs Bills Strengthening Outdoor Tourism
Economy, Supporting Native American Culture
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill
today creating the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund, which
will strengthen Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy and help fund recreation
infrastructure projects. The Governor also signed a bill codifying the federal
Indian Child Welfare Act as state law, an important step in supporting tribal
culture.
The Outdoor
Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund was funded with $6 million.
Additional work will take place in the interim to develop the structure for the
fund and how funding will be awarded for potential projects. The Wyoming Office
of Outdoor Recreation currently facilitates seven outdoor recreation
collaboratives around the state, each focused on defining grassroots
opportunities for the growth and enhancement of outdoor recreation in their
region. The collaboratives include community members, recreation stakeholders,
businesses, conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and elected
officials.
“We have seen a hunger for visitors to experience Wyoming’s
mountains, rivers and trails. This trust fund has the potential to create new
opportunities for small businesses, focus visitation towards appropriate
locations and enhance the quality of life for all Wyoming residents,” Governor
Gordon said. “I’d like to thank the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife &
Cultural Resources Committee for their work on this bill, and the Legislature
for their support of this fund.”
The Governor also signed Senate
File 94 - Federal Indian Child Welfare Act codification. The
bill codifies the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) as state law and
specifies requirements and procedures for placing Native American children in
shelter care or for adoption. Governor Gordon noted that both Wyoming Tribes
have emphasized the importance of ICWA to tribal children and tribal culture.
He is encouraged that Wyoming Tribes will have a seat at the table as the State
continues to hone its ICWA law through the work of the newly created Indian
Child Welfare Act Task Force. As ICWA has such a
significant impact on tribal communities, the opportunity for participation by
Wyoming Tribes in this process is essential to the success of this law moving
forward.
“This bill celebrates the partnership between the tribes and the
State of Wyoming, and our willingness to work together on these important
issues that affect all of us,” Governor Gordon said.
The Governor signed the following bills today:
Enrolled Act
Bill# Bill Title
HEA0078 HB0185 Local government distributions-revisions.
HEA0079 HB0209 Hathaway scholarship accounts-transfer timing.
HEA0080 HB0089 State investment returns-adequate reserve
funding.
HEA0081 HB0074 Wyoming outdoor recreation and tourism trust
fund.
HEA0082 HB0017 State lands-grazing of non-owned livestock.
HEA0083 HB0022 State land lease deficiencies-cure process.
HEA0087 HB0052 Revisor's bill.
HEA0089 HB0014 Civil case filing fees-amendments.
HEA0090 HB0144 Senior citizen district programs and services.
HEA0093 HB0076 Licensing boards amendments.
HEA0094 HB0033 School finance-career technical education grants.
HEA0095 HB0064 Legislative stabilization reserve
account-obligations.
SEA0077 SF0083 K-12 school facility leasing.
SEA0079 SF0061 Legislator per diem.
SEA0081 SF0167 Domestic violence protection hearings-remote
appearance.
SEA0082 SF0152 Occupational therapist criminal history.
SEA0083 SF0099 Witnessing of wills-remote methods.
SEA0086 SF0153 Election security.
SEA0087 SF0164 Public improvement contract
requirements-amendments.
SEA0088 SF0147 Government contracts-labor organization.
SEA0089 SF0094 Federal Indian Child Welfare Act codification.
SEA0091 SF0137 Subdivisions-fencing requirements.
SEA0095 SF0076 Wyoming digital asset registration act.
SEA0096 SF0066 School capital construction funding.
SEA0098 SF0042 Taxation of cigars.
A list of bills the Governor has previously taken action on during the 2023 Legislative Session can be found on the Governor’s website.
March 13, 2023
In a really odd example of the depiction of a counter, imaginary, reality, Secretary of State Gray published an op ed in the Tribune praising the passage of the prohibition on changing registration three months prior to a primary as a major victory.
Indeed, in an example of the pre narrative driving the post history, there have been a lot of accounts in papers about how this session was a huge success for the far right in the legislature, when in fact the case is the polar opposite. In this same issue that was noted by legislator Khale Lenhart who praised the legislature for coming to the middle. In reality, almost none of the really far right legislation, save for two bills outside of this one, one heavily amended, passed. Those were on the topic of abortion, which already had wide conservative support.
Indeed, missed here is that the "cross over" voting bill had support from a sort of street level horse sense point of view, even if the premise for it is flawed. It likely passed as most people feel that the state funded and state supported party elections passed off as "primaries" ought to be limited to the parties. In reality, if they were true primaries, they'd be party blind, and probably state supported elections should be that way, but people all over the country are acclimated to this system.
To read Mr. Gray, Wyoming's primaries were threatened by vast hordes of liberal Democrats who switched over to Republicans to wreck GOP primaries and vote into office faux Republicans, all while protected by the "liberal media". If that were true, of course, Mr. Gray would have packed his bags in November and returned to his native California, having lost an election based on the fable that the 2020 election was stolen, Harriet Hageman would be just another practicing lawyer in Cheyenne, having lost in her bid to unseat Liz Cheney for questioning anything about Donald Trump, and Gray's op ed would have been published in. .. . well not published.
For some time I've questioned whether Gray believes the stuff he's been saying, and was willing to perhaps find that he had self deluded himself to that point. But this "op ed" reads like something written to the already fully convinced. There are lots of Wyoming Democrats swinging elections. The media was part of a cover up of that.
Not so much.
FWIW, the new cross over law is probably unconstitutional, and my prediction is it will be struck down prior to the next primary season. It interferes with political rights of the electorate in a state funded election. There is really nothing that precludes a person from being a hardcorse MAGA Trump supporting voter on one day, and waking up the next and deciding he's a Communist, or vice vera. If parties really want to dicate who runs for them, they should demand this process be removed from the primaries so they can decide it in conventions. As long as they want the state to host an election for them, it has to be open to all.
Indeed, quite truthfully, party elections on the state's dime raise some questions. They're just not ones anyone has bothered to ask.
March 16, 2023
Utah's Governor signed into law a bill requiring all abortions to be performed in hospitals, outlawing clinics.
March 17, 2023
After Signing Several Bills to Strengthen Elections, Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Have Confused Voters
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon exercised his veto authority on Senate File 131- Prohibition on delivery of unsolicited ballot forms today. The Governor signed several bills this session to strengthen election integrity and security, but says that changes made to this bill during the legislative process muddled the bill’s language and intent. The Governor expressed concern that SF 131 as currently written would have resulted in unintended consequences that would compromise election confidence and integrity, and might provide a means to inappropriately suppress proper absentee voting.
SF0131 was brought forward to address the distribution of certain campaign materials and forms to apply for absentee ballots. But, the Governor wrote, clarifying language was removed from the final bill.
“I want to be clear, at no time have I been presented with facts of fraud, mismanagement, or malfeasance in Wyoming’s election process. Even so, over the past month, I have signed those bills which strengthen election integrity and security, such as codifying existing election rules. SF0131, as delivered to my desk, is superfluous and potentially confusing. Consequently, I must veto SF0131,” Governor Gordon wrote.
The Governor’s veto letter is attached and may be found here.
Governor Gordon also allowed SF0127 - Wyoming Stable Token Act to go into law without his signature. The Governor’s letter addressing SF 0127 is also attached and may be found here.
A list of bills the Governor has taken action on during the 2023 Legislative Session can be found on the Governor’s website.
-END-
Governor Issues Directive to Provide Financial Relief to Independent Pharmacists While Signing Prescription Drug Transparency Act with Line-Item Vetoes
Governor Allows Trans Athlete Legislation to Pass Into Law, Expresses Concerns Over Impacts, Potential Litigation.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon exercised his line item veto authority on select portions of Senate File 151/SEA No. 90 - Wyoming prescription drug transparency act before signing it today. He noted it has important policy changes related to rural, independent pharmacists, a critical component of healthcare in Wyoming. He vetoed portions of the bill that could have significant impacts on prescription costs for Wyoming consumers. The Governor acknowledged the importance of rural independent pharmacies and the burdens placed on those small businesses, which are often left to manage operations with insufficient reimbursements and increasing compliance costs for accountability.
To demonstrate his desire to provide financial relief to rural, independent pharmacies, Governor Gordon has signed a Governor’s Directive for the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information (“A&I”) to negotiate payment of an increased amount of dispensing fee claims of up to $10 per brand label claim and $12 per generic brand claim to independent pharmacists participating in the Wyoming State Employees’ and Officials’ Group Insurance program.
“This issue is so important to Wyoming, our communities, and our future that I implore health insurance providers to follow in our footsteps,” Governor Gordon said. “Together, working in unison, we can make a difference in our communities and keep local businesses operational while ensuring quality access to vital healthcare services.”
The Governor did line-item several provisions in the bill and wrote to legislators that the act as drafted “may do more harm than good, inadvertently shifting increased and burdensome pharmaceutical costs to consumers despite the good work done by all involved to provide local relief.”
The Governor allowed Senate File 133/SEA No. 92 - Student eligibility in interscholastic sports to pass into law without his signature. The Governor said that while he supports and agrees with the overall goal of fairness in competitive female sports, the ban included in the legislation “is overly draconian, is discriminatory without attention to individual circumstances or mitigating factors, and pays little attention to fundamental principles of equality.” The Governor does agree with the provision of the bill that moves decision-making to the state level to ensure consistency and fairness across school districts.
“While I freely acknowledge the intent of this legislation is well-meaning as a way to protect the integrity and fairness of women’s sports in our state, by enacting an outright ban on transgender individuals participating in sports teams, I believe Wyoming sends a harmful message that these individuals and their families do not deserve the same opportunities as others,” the Governor wrote.
“Moreover the ban leaves little or no flexibility for families to support their children. As a parent, that saddens me,” the Governor added.
The Legislature set the effective date for the bill as July 1. That means no current student athletes are impacted during this season. The Governor committed to work with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction prior to the start of the next school year to ensure that there is clear guidance from the Wyoming High School Activities Association regarding the opportunities that will exist moving forward for transgender students to have some means to participate safely in interscholastic activities after this law goes into effect, recognizing sadly that may mean these young people may not be able to compete in athletics.
A copy of the Governor’s letters and his line-items are attached and can be found on the Bills page of the Governor’s website.
-END-
Governor Gordon Emphasizes Pro-Life Position with New Laws
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon took further steps to implement a pro-life policy agenda when he signed a prohibition on chemical abortions today. At the same time, he allowed House Bill 152 - Life is a Human Right Act to go into law. But he expressed concern that this new law will only result in a new lawsuit, which will delay any resolution to the constitutionality of the abortion ban in Wyoming. Earlier today, the plaintiffs in the current lawsuit filed a legal challenge of this new law in the event the Act was not vetoed.
The Governor says that since the Legislature continues to make minor tweaks in the abortion law each year, it only leads to additional delays in obtaining a final decision from the courts about Wyoming’s Constitution. Governor Gordon stressed that if the Legislature wants finality it should put a constitutional amendment before the people and let them decide if they want to add an abortion ban to the state's constitution.
The Governor has a strong pro-life record, including signing Senate File 109 - Prohibiting Chemical Abortion, Senate File 79–Plan of safe care-newborns, and last year’s House Enrolled Act No. 57 Abortion prohibition-supreme court decision, as well as House Bill 4 - Medicaid twelve-month postpartum coverage, which extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from 90 days to 12 months and is expected to help between 1,000 and 2,000 low-income Wyoming mothers.
“I understand the Legislature’s effort to improve Wyoming’s pro-life legal framework and preemptively clarify some of these legal questions with HEA 0088’s various legislative findings,” the Governor wrote. “However, I believe this question needs to be decided as soon as possible so that the issue of abortion in Wyoming can be finally resolved, and that is best done with a vote of the people.”
While he understands the intent of the legislative findings included in Life is a Human Right Act, the Governor said he does not feel these are a, “substitute for an expression of the people when it comes to constitutional matters.”
“If the Legislature wants to expressly address how the Wyoming Constitution treats abortion and defines healthcare, then those issues should be vetted through the amendment process laid out in Article 20 of the Wyoming Constitution and voted on directly by the people,” the Governor wrote.
The Governor’s letter is attached and may be viewed here.
In his final actions on bills passed during the 2023 General Legislative session, Governor Gordon exercised his line-item veto authority on the following bills. The letters with line items, along with a list of all bills the Governor has taken action on during the 2023 Legislative Session, can be found on the Governor’s website.
HEA0091 HB0195 American rescue plan act appropriations-amendments.
SEA0084 SF0146 State funded capital construction.
SEA0097 SF0096 Omnibus water bill-planning and administration.
-END-
Assuming the last line is correct, this is the end of legislative action for this session.
March 18, 2023
The predictable fallout and grousing has commenced over the last few items noted above.
Gov. Gordon felt that the the House's removal of an amendment of the unsolicited ballot mailings bill made it confusing, and potentially illegal. Chuck Gray has complained about it.
March 21, 2023
Both the new abortion provisons and the trans athelete ban are clearly headed to court at this point.
Governor Gordon signed a pharmacy bill, but Gordon used his line item veto to heavily recraft the bill to the displeasure of many who supported it.
March 23, 2023
As was widely anticipated, the same 9th Judicial District judge that enjoined enforcement of the trigger law also enjoined enforcemetn of the state's new abortion ban.
The question may be why is it taking this matter so long to work through the 9th. An earlier effort to send it straigth to the Wyoming Supreme Court, which is where it is headed anyway, failed and it remains at the trial court level.
The new bill had attempted to work around the poorly thought out amendment to the Wyoming Constitution that provided that the state couldn't interfere with an individual's health care decisions. The extremely conservator former legislature who crafted that amendment later stated he'd be horrified if he was to blame for the preservation of abortion and right now, he should be horrified. This was 100% predictable.
Nonetheless during the last legislative session backers of this bill claimed those who said it would be challenged in court were "fear mongering". Those individuals turned out to be naive. A couple of legislators, an anti abortion physicians group, and Secretary of State Chuch Gray, who apparently has a some amount of free time in his new job to do things other than the actual work of that position, attempted to intervene with amicus briefs but were deined. While I don't know, the fact that the Secretary of State, who has no connection with this issue, would seem more likely to defeat such an attempt than to guarantee its success.
Last Prior Edition.
