GUIDE TO THE 2022 WYOMING LEGISLATIVE BUDGET SESSION

THE 2022 WYOMING BUDGET SESSION

In even numbered years, the Legislature convenes in a Budget Session beginning on the second Monday of February, which typically lasts 20 legislative days. The 2022 Wyoming budget session convenes on February 14. February 18 is the last day for bills to be introduced. March 8, 9, and 10 will be the final readings (and votes) on bills. This gives constituents a two-week window to familiarize themselves with all the introduced bills. Except for the budget bill, all other bills require a two-thirds vote from the Senate or House for introduction during a Budget Session.

Track all proposed legislation here: https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2022

Track the Legislative Schedule here: Schedule.pdf

Wyoming Rising wants to help you effectively engage with the legislative session. We’ll track a handful of bills and let you know when and how to contact your legislators. To receive our Action Alerts, subscribe to our mailing list.

Not all bills will make it out of their house of origin. The best time to contact your legislator is early in the process, before final votes.

Engaging with the Legislature
Call:
Senate Receptionist: 307.777.7711 (messages for Senators)
House Receptionist: 307.777.7852 (messages for Representatives)
Telephone Hotline: 866.996.8683. Use to recommend a vote for/against pending legislation or to obtain the status of a bill in process. Available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days the Legislature is in session.

Submit Online Form:
Online Hotline: During the legislative session, you can recommend support, opposition or leave a comment on legislation using the Online Hotline.

Testify:
Make a big impact by giving public comment. Wyoming residents can testify during a committee meeting. In order to testify via Zoom, you need to sign up:

  • Go to the online calendar (check back often for updates or sign up for email notices)
  • Find the meeting with the bill you’re interested in, click “testify” and fill out the form
  • You’ll receive an email with login information for the Zoom meeting During the public comment segment of the meeting you’ll have a chance to speak

Email:
Northwest Wyoming Legislators

10 Steps to the Legislative Process

(from A Citizen Guide to the Wyoming Legislature)

A general summary of the legislative process in Wyoming for a bill to become law is below. A bill can fail or be amended at any point during these steps.

  1. A bill is drafted by LSO for a committee or individual member.
  2. The bill title is read aloud and assigned to a committee by the presiding officer. (A 2/3 vote is required during a Budget Session.)
  3. The committee hears the bill and votes whether to: Pass, Do Not Pass, or Pass with Amendments.
  4. Members in the Chamber of Origin debate the bill for the first time during Committee of the Whole and vote to support or oppose.
  5. The bill is debated and voted on in the Chamber of Origin during second and third readings.
  6. If passed by the Chamber of Origin, the bill moves to the second Chamber and the process above is repeated.
  7. If passed by the second Chamber, with no changes the bill is sent directly to the Governor for his/her signature or veto.
  8. If the Senate and House versions of the bill differ, a Joint Conference Committee is appointed to reconcile the differences.
  9. If a compromise is reached, the bill is sent to the Governor.
  10. The Governor can sign or veto the bill. The bill can also become law without the Governor’s signature. The Legislature can override a Governor’s veto with a 2/3 vote by the House and Senate.

Become Informed / Take Action:

  • Track a bill’s status, read the full text along with any amendments, see votes here. Click on a bill’s link to see its details.
  • Wyoming Manual of Legislative Procedures Very informative for answering questions like “What is a Committee of the Whole (CoW?” and “What happens on the first, second, and third readings?” More detailed than A Citizen Guide to the Wyoming Legislature.
  • ACLU of Wyoming Legislative Advocacy Toolkit A great infographic of how the legislature works and suggestions for calling, writing, and meeting your legislators.
  • During the session, use the Online Hotline to recommend support for or opposition to a specific bill. A short comment (140 characters) can be included. The information you submit will be sent to the representative and/or senator you select. When viewing a bill, use the “Comment” tab to open the Online Hotline for that specific bill.
  • Read and listen to news coverage of the legislature. Several sources offering in-depth coverage are:

Standing Session Committees / Northwest Wyoming Legislators:

Following a legislator’s work during the session is one of the best ways to know how well they are representing you, and their positions. Look at the digest version of a bill to see how legislators vote in their standing committees, on CoW votes, and on third reading votes. Bills sponsored can be found on each legislator’s profile.