Budget session begins soon

The Wyoming State Legislature meets for its 67th session soon and there are numerous ways for the public to participate or listen in.

This year is a budget session, which means it will last approximately 20 legislative days. The other factor that sets it apart from a general session is that, aside from the budget bill, all other bills will require a two-thirds vote in the Senate or House in order to be introduced.

The session begins on February 12 and a wide range of bills have already been assigned numbers. Topics that appear to have the potential to appear on the floor range from several that would reduce property tax, to an increase in fishing license fees for nonresidents, to the creation of a database for "cold cases".

One bill would create a misdemeanor offense of election intimidation and a felony offense for aggravated election intimidation. The "By the People Act" would require live audio or video access to public meetings.

A bill receiving some attention ahead of time is the "What is a Woman Act", which would define a female as someone with a biological reproductive system that produces ova and no Y chromosomes.

With the two-thirds vote requirement for a bill to be introduced, many of those on the list will not be heard this year.

The session will convene at 10 a.m. on February 12 and bills can no longer be introduced after February 16. Bills can no longer be reported out of committee in their house of origin after February 21.

The last day for third readings on bills in their house of origin is February 26. Bills must be reported out of committee in the second house by March 4 and must reach third reading by March 7.

The body is scheduled to adjourn by midnight on March 8.

A "typical" day begins with legislative committee meetings from 7 to 10 a.m., followed by the House and Senate convening in chambers for two hours.

During the noon recess, until 2 p.m., committee meetings continue. The two houses reconvene at 2 p.m. and committee meetings continue upon adjournment.

Galleries are available for the public to watch the session in person, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are planning to attend with a large group, you are asked to book ahead of time by emailing [email protected].

The wyoleg.gov website can be used to access the submission form needed to electronically submit floor handouts and to find the individual contact information for legislators. Electronic handouts must be emailed directly to legislators and should also be emailed to [email protected] for archival purposes.

The full text and current status of bills can also be viewed on the website and are updated regularly.

Committee meetings and floor sessions are streamed live at http://www.youtube.com/@WyomingLegislature. Archival footage is also available if you are unable to watch live.

During the session, you can recommend support or opposition for a bill or leave a comment using the online hotline at wyoleg.gov or by calling 307-777-7881 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. A service for the hearing impaired is also available at 800-877-9965.

If you would like to address a committee, you can do so in person or virtually. Visit the calendar page of the website to register for the Zoom meeting for each committee by clicking the "testify" button. When the chairman calls for public comment, use the "raise hand" function to signal that you would like to speak.