[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6679376,"mediaKeyId","2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3","parentId",2383616,"title","Committee of the Whole: summary of bills reported, enrolled acts signed and messages from the House","audioSeconds",87,"startMs",8520000,"endMs",8607000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3&start=8520&end=8607","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3/thumbnail_8520000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6679376/Wyoming/Committee-of-the-Whole-summary-of-bills-reported-enrolled-acts-signed-and-messages-from-the-House","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679376-6f0f6c2eb4ccead05be55afe23a3bd88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167764&Signature=SUajwbmg~Hwcc5ff8qnsxKl7-vUq5pHp3CEyj~IwSFoyUi96RnnS7y5kUuqTlOwyuHJWZJftf~HO1zmZ4ni~X2X6uGIL-QGnOB-dB7CVTY1NVCqrF-X1J6fUfU4hWundfYGK7-6TERnr7TZis2lDc2sGsvRIgWNGADzqBqq-d9zQ805Ao2-eEYq4PU-xbQkRSbbiwuln0i0HMvVhJkL5g7czz8UJCFJe7H6ppj~hmey6ms68UmeWjN7w6ORT54rosZ3uC9boeBPJfxp1nOu1Ns6046G8ZQKIAe8B06xqu63TCAmkzslH52y8VNBAzsXMJt193n1JpdYvrFcGh7okPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:27:13.363Z","article","The Wyoming Senate completed a busy floor day on Feb. 24, advancing multiple bills from the Committee of the Whole, signing enrolled acts and considering messages from the House.

Committee actions reported to the Senate (Committee of the Whole):

- House Bill 211 (hunting and wildlife from vehicles) — Committee of the Whole: due pass recommendation (reported favorably).
- House Bill 275 (treatment of animals) — Committee of the Whole: due pass recommendation (reported favorably). Detailed debate on torture provisions is covered in a separate article.
- House Bill 117 (omnibus water construction) — Committee of the Whole: due pass amended (standing-committee amendments adopted; reported favorably).
- House Bill 103 (columbarium regulation) — Committee of the Whole: due pass (reported favorably).
- House Bill 125 (repeal unauthorized use of vehicle crime) — Committee of the Whole: due pass (reported favorably).
- House Bill 129 (school finance dates for fund transfers) — Committee of the Whole: due pass (reported favorably).
- House Bill 188 (two families, one nanny childcare exemption) — Committee of the Whole: due pass (reported favorably).
- House Bill 94 (charter school authorizations) — Committee of the Whole: due pass amended (reported favorably).
- House Bill 20 (K–12 facility leasing) — Committee of the Whole: due pass (reported favorably).
- House Bill 36 (Hathaway scholarship amendments) — Committee of the Whole: due pass amended (standing-committee amendment adopted).

The committee also recorded that House Joint Resolution 4 (veterans property tax exemption) failed to pass the Committee of the Whole and was indefinitely postponed after a roll-call vote (6 aye, 21 no, 3 excused, 1 conflict).

Enrolled acts signed by the President were read and signed on the floor during the session, including multiple Senate Enrolled Acts and House Enrolled Acts (examples read aloud in the transcript): Senate Enrolled Act Nos. 23–31 (including original Senate Files 77, 4, 61, 82, 130, 143, 151) and House Enrolled Acts Nos. 26–29 (including original House Bills 42, 181, 46, 39). The President announced each enrolled act and said, “I have so signed.”

The Senate also received and acted on messages from the House requesting concurrence on several Senate files; the Senate concurred on multiple items (for instance, concurrence on Senate File 75 and Senate File 114 were recorded in the transcript with roll-call counts read aloud). The chief clerk read a series of House messages dated Feb. 24 that reported actions taken in the House (third-reading votes, concurrence requests, and adopted conference committee reports).

Committee and conference notices: Multiple joint conference committee and standing-committee meetings were announced for the coming days (for example, joint conference committee on Senate File 69 about homeowners property tax exemption scheduled for 7 a.m. in Room 113).

The Committee of the Whole’s formal report was read into the record and adopted by the Senate; the President then signed multiple enrolled acts listed above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session-Day 29, February 24, 2025-PM","oneSentenceSummary","On Feb. 24 the Wyoming Senate Committee of the Whole reported multiple House bills favorably and the chamber handled several enrolled acts and concurrence messages from the House. Most bills on the general file were advanced; one constitutional resolution was indefinitely postponed after a roll-call vote.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",30485,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6679380,"Senate committee rejects constitutional amendment to exempt 100% disabled veterans from property tax",0,7512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3&start=7512&end=7512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3/thumbnail_7512000.jpg","/articles/6679380/Wyoming/Senate-committee-rejects-constitutional-amendment-to-exempt-100-disabled-veterans-from-property-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679380-374cd06cb42c139e13f11b9365727a68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167764&Signature=hFwzo3wLJ2KAB7XjOa53eh4d8XAO7Qkwo8~CZmpMyGaaQDt4ZRXQUna~YzoUlPIjvFZtVAk3n8jPdaHaNEGa6lr4sKvL9xDQHqT4qfZP09LDk3S-6pWaetrabYIpKn7jz0BeeudwwFchtp9jQg5UCZMg0CH9d2d3-SZkIxsX1qBwTcrAEfG4wpP~7vgYu8KTY5uDqvjdRjrMzfpvM9HU0YZzW8RGt01NuJg-Btm6CG04QJdKxdwRBbFuA1O~vTsTdpV2if9wpKHvw0IwcyxaQDuDxvmUjylRffFDEJuwBpuTmFsMt5yY4Wc7wjA9oA-RR~83kQdD1Iv5LqK1Pj0IIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wyoming Senate’s Committee of the Whole voted against advancing House Joint Resolution 4, a proposed constitutional amendment that would add an exemption in Article 15, Section 12 for property owned and occupied by veterans the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has rated 100% disabled.

Senator McEwen, speaking for the measure, described the proposal as narrowly targeted. The amendment would exempt a primary residence and up to 10 acres associated with that residence for veterans with a 100% VA disability rating; a surviving spouse could retain the exemption if the spouse remains unmarried and does not move. “This is a very small part of the population,” McEwen said, noting the limited scope.

Several senators questioned whether a constitutional amendment was the appropriate vehicle. Senator Rothfuss and Senator Pappas both said the policy could be implemented by statute and funded through the budget if desired; they said placing the provision in the state constitution seemed unnecessarily prescriptive. Senator Cooper also said he favored statutory action rather than a constitutional change.

Senator Bauer, a proponent in committee debate, said adopting the exemption by constitutional amendment would provide additional legal certainty and guard against future constitutional challenges to exemptions.

After an initial standing division that produced inconclusive results, the Committee of the Whole proceeded to a roll-call vote pursuant to Senate Rule 6-5. The clerk recorded the committee roll call: 6 aye, 21 no, 3 excused, 1 conflict. Senate rules require that failure of the standing division leads to a roll-call; following the roll-call, House Joint Resolution 4 was deemed indefinitely postponed.

The transcript records the motion failing by roll-call and the chair announcing the measure as indefinitely postponed. Supporters may pursue statutory options in lieu of a constitutional amendment.","House Joint Resolution 4, a proposed constitutional amendment to exempt primary residences (up to 10 acres) of veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA from property taxes, failed in the Committee of the Whole after a roll-call vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6679384,"Senate clears path for statewide charter-authorizing board to again approve new schools",613,7236000,7849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3&start=7236&end=7849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3/thumbnail_7236000.jpg","/articles/6679384/Wyoming/Senate-clears-path-for-statewide-charter-authorizing-board-to-again-approve-new-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679384-71f8398da2b5d3ce2c9b712f76549a6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167764&Signature=WSXT2CnLwCTuD3EuoWh94VXC2kgaLWLne~BXG0XnvbhKBOOY0O0fRtXB6FmwCn1JhgFr~5IG760LiXkejppw5pAIOb2N-iaS2jgFnRQe8Wh1~QX6G5-03cbpTgjDB-o9aSCC1wpsmf5ixdgy0a9sXXcGt4DxPdmp7rZIwusvvmEI9PjcqGcsV19p2lCmhqG5cwxkGjp2CdcrdLoPLCgfLixLVfrszjjYkgJdPzmdDXmm-jvM4MpGIH5covg2sIod1~ReOjuebYVpLRNzbV8ROu-g0h~cvgcmdU4KMGXuKkndOn4yrR4VV7N-PGbnIJr8FBWNBst~GYyl4E6exbp66Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wyoming Senate’s Committee of the Whole voted to advance House Bill 94, which removes a statutory pause on new charter-school authorizations and allows the statewide charter-authorizing board to resume approving new charter schools beginning July 1, 2025.

Senator Brennan told colleagues the change removes the 2029 date that had prevented the board from authorizing schools sooner. “Currently in our statutes, we have a charter school authorization board. However, they can't authorize any more charter schools until 2029,” Brennan said.

Debate focused on fiscal oversight and long-term facility and operating costs. Several senators cautioned that authorizing new charter schools can create significant and recurring obligations for the state school foundation program without a return to the Legislature for budget approval. Senator Rothfuss, who said he voted no in committee, urged more checks: the bill eliminates the cap entirely and would permit the appointed authorizing board to approve new schools without further legislative approval—an approach he said risks obligating the state to multimillion-dollar ongoing costs.

Supporters and members of the education committee said the current statutory timing delays authorization unnecessarily and that the authorizing board follows a lengthy application and vetting process; testimony in committee estimated the approval timeline often takes about 18 months. Senator Schuler said the immediate change primarily enables charter-school applicants that have been preparing proposals to proceed without an additional multi-year delay.

Questions in floor debate extended to facility needs and equity: Senator Landon said facility upgrades and the costs of repurposing existing buildings warrant attention, and several senators flagged possible second-reading amendments to place modest caps (for example, a small number per year) to limit near-term fiscal exposure.

The Committee of the Whole adopted a standing committee amendment adjusting implementation dates and then reported the bill favorably to the Senate. Sponsors said additional fiscal and operational details would be provided before second reading and that the body could consider amendments to limit the near-term pace of approvals.","Senators voted to remove the temporary pause on new charter-school authorizations and allow the state authorizing board to begin approving charters on July 1, 2025. Debate highlighted concerns about budget impacts, oversight and school facilities costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6679389,"Senate committee advances omnibus water bill after debate over Alkali Creek and LaPrelle funding",2733,2960000,5693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3&start=2960&end=5693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3/thumbnail_2960000.jpg","/articles/6679389/Wyoming/Senate-committee-advances-omnibus-water-bill-after-debate-over-Alkali-Creek-and-LaPrelle-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679389-458ba5d4f9948a8999beef0fd61664f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167764&Signature=I0sP3GikTuQPRZAiPnPzLUJg5zC0NaX6oiBeMOLmXTQfe3dWTWmuTZrm7~iXONanVTRMAyzFsS4RJXyplRJoBGEzCMFmfwLjBxo68ah5rQLXDGxCYkxhfs9hIf8LoRifLi-S4uSxiXb9XTRm041JO6GGA-zTN~-eRAnPyIyPZmQDIrI1NqEu1CQM-EhGM47Xig42AMOqAUS2ks~wqosL0uWGFDMGyU2tTgmBhnPuYvSRXTfElP1Jd2N3FY8wv5bbMlj9lt7NMQOKm0WWvFrS8IMc7baDFM8HHVCu38WWYwxeQaiAwGl8Y0dBHm7TFTpa4varBxEn0yzHqwGyDl0HVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wyoming Senate’s Committee of the Whole reported House Bill 117 favorably after debate and two standing-committee amendments that altered project funding and deadlines.

Senator Steinmetz, explaining the omnibus water construction bill, said a handout listing all projects and accounts (Water 1, Water 2, Water 3) was available to senators and noted that the House removed cloud-seeding projects from the bill before it reached the Senate. “They decided to remove all of the cloud seeding projects,” he said.

The bill as advanced includes notable appropriations and transfers discussed on the floor. Senator Steinmetz and other sponsors described three items highlighted during debate:

- $20,000,000 appropriated from the LSRA for Goshen Irrigation District tunnels 1 and 2 rehabilitation.
- $10,000,000 appropriated from the LSRA for LaPrelle Dam rehabilitation.
- A $50,000,000 transfer (reversion) from the Alkali Creek Reservoir project to help fund LaPrelle, plus a $5,000,000 retention for Alkali Creek to continue easement work.

Proponents argued the LaPrelle Dam work is urgent: the dam has been condemned and demolition underway, and the project will be a complete rebuild. Supporters said federal funds will also be part of the financing package and that the LaPrelle work is an emergency needing prompt state action.

Opponents and skeptical senators warned about unresolved easement and right-of-way issues on the Alkali Creek (Alkali Reservoir) project and questioned whether large appropriations should be committed before design, easement acquisition and final cost estimates are complete. Senator Coble, among others, called the Alkali Creek easement situation “a giant mess” and urged caution. Senator Driscoll, Senator Hicks and others urged ensuring projects have design and easement readiness before moving construction dollars.

Senators debated two standing committee amendments. Standing committee amendment number 1 removed house-added well projects for LaPrelle where the beneficiary had declined the groundwater source; it also adjusted project deadlines and removed provisions no longer applicable after partial dam demolition. That amendment was adopted by voice vote.

Standing committee amendment number 2, an appropriations amendment, reinstated $50,000,000 previously moved out of the Alkali Creek Reservoir account and returned it to support that project. Adoption of that amendment was contested on the floor; senators called for a division and the amendment passed on a division vote (recorded at 19 yes on the standing division). After debate, the Committee of the Whole approved the bill with amendments and reported it to the Senate.

Senators on both sides urged continued negotiation among district leaders, landowners and the state. Several speakers noted the projects’ long histories and emphasized that if easement or design issues persist the funds could revert or be reconsidered in a future session.

The omnibus bill was reported out by the Committee of the Whole with amendments; sponsors said they will provide senators with additional project-level information and fiscal details ahead of second reading.","Senators in the Committee of the Whole approved House Bill 117, an omnibus water construction bill with standing committee amendments that reallocated funds for multiple projects and added $20 million for Goshen tunnels and $60 million for LaPrelle Dam rehabilitation through a mix of LSRA appropriations and transfers.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6679395,"Wyoming Senate committee backs bill criminalizing intentional torture of wildlife",1193,1763000,2956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3&start=1763&end=2956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383616-8f1c2a6d370977322a9278bab1021ad3/thumbnail_1763000.jpg","/articles/6679395/Wyoming/Wyoming-Senate-committee-backs-bill-criminalizing-intentional-torture-of-wildlife","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679395-910dcf30bcd8b9167996edddd2d2a987/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167764&Signature=lg53wqprcNuEA5FiEsAKXCTN8LcngJ4WVHMiiT3yjMxe3GC6QsyKgx9bIm7ioSJ-VJVfobaXnVBfAfiw6paeSg~g1iX5NOnfioiaWlNzwIHdFEUcl2obYObgINc1nEa7Ydm~tt1cJfzys9wcQnavIMh3CoQ3oHJbW0Ki6ENElkswNRR~16UypSq16doNdzBkr2sbM1PtNyD4o4plshbA9Wi1vEHjpmXpftqeziyCqbmGkYf1BdK-KVrP1giIz~1pkOBc1WU1Veaa-3MxptBgQtI2avbP9WC5xLvN~QGCWekwt~jXpe5nCrDDBkFltIlK8kgUseGJ4mBaZ7hF2NbUTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wyoming Senate’s Committee of the Whole voted to advance House Bill 275, legislation that makes intentional torture of wildlife a crime.

The bill, sponsored in the House and brought to the Senate Committee of the Whole for consideration on Feb. 24, would create a misdemeanor offense for intentionally torturing wildlife and elevate repeat offenses to a felony. It also authorizes enforcement by county sheriffs and game wardens and allows courts to revoke licenses issued under Title 23 of the Wyoming statutes for convicted individuals.

Senator Landon said the measure fills “a deficiency in our statutes” and framed it as a response to an incident that had gained public attention. He described the bill as defining and prohibiting “wildlife torture” and said it would help protect Wyoming’s wildlife resources. “I think the expectations do need to be pretty stringent,” Landon said during debate.

Supporters argued the bill is a necessary statement of values and a tool for enforcement. Senator Nethercott said the measure requires proof that an individual “knowingly and with the intent to cause undue suffering and torture” acted in that way and that prosecutorial discretion would constrain overreach: “If there is evidence that supports that an individual who knowingly and with intent tortures an animal, that they may be subject to a misdemeanor.”

Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s reach and penalties. Senator Hicks, who said he voted no in committee, warned that misdemeanor penalties (up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $10,000) and collateral consequences—such as seizure of equipment—risk punishing ordinary predator-control activities, particularly those conducted from aircraft. He said a misinterpreted incident or an overzealous prosecutor could impose severe costs on ranchers or contractors performing predator control.

Several senators requested clarifying amendments or signaled intent to offer amendments on the floor. Senator Coble and Senator Wright both said aircraft-based predator control raised practical and enforcement questions; Coble signaled he would seek an amendment to remove aircraft from the provision.

After extended debate where senators emphasized both the moral imperative to prevent cruelty and the need to protect routine wildlife management practices, the Committee of the Whole approved the bill by voice vote and reported it favorably to the Senate.

The bill’s statutory language sets out exceptions for trapping and for animals that require licenses (for example, fur-bearers); it specifies penalties, license-revocation authority for courts and lays out enforcement responsibility for sheriffs and game wardens. The transcript indicates an effective date provision within the bill and a three-year license-loss period for certain convictions.","After hours of debate, the Wyoming Senate Committee of the Whole advanced House Bill 275 to a favorable report. The bill creates misdemeanor and felony penalties for intentionally torturing wildlife, includes exemptions for trapping and licensed activity and authorizes enforcement by sheriffs and game wardens.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee of the Whole: summary of bills reported, enrolled acts signed and messages from the House

Senate committee rejects constitutional amendment to exempt 100% disabled veterans from property tax

Senate clears path for statewide charter-authorizing board to again approve new schools

Senate committee advances omnibus water bill after debate over Alkali Creek and LaPrelle funding

Wyoming Senate committee backs bill criminalizing intentional torture of wildlife