[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6660902,"mediaKeyId","2431141-a08d548c2c25339832f9a26dc4debb89","parentId",2431141,"title","Committee advances bill to ban 'institutional discrimination' and restrict DEI programs; public testimony sharply divided","audioSeconds",1020,"startMs",4140000,"endMs",5160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431141-a08d548c2c25339832f9a26dc4debb89&start=4140&end=5160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431141-a08d548c2c25339832f9a26dc4debb89/thumbnail_4140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660902/Wyoming/Committee-advances-bill-to-ban-institutional-discrimination-and-restrict-DEI-programs-public-testimony-sharply-divided","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660902-893dd4ecf4cdf22fd1f9360e3e450ab4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058728&Signature=eIOY1ORUArB8R6U9YBjylkKQ~NwBnHWnjCwA5De92Dlnbgd2lY8lQw3YWa6XScA4s4lFZNQUtIBhSOkJJ1WfinwqBN789EhEY9lV7aVs5rzUhxoVcKzOzlw9vNXQcX6U9~Tvk7FVOzMa0nylcWoOeifBacq3V6w~4awO72zwKCNt5hjTbD69X~NHs31~lLag4whkLKEoSLA8QF3fCXKmW58VNFz~kFWVvnk8CAAUkNG0fpbBeNlxr9HFaugf7KAWFIbYAJFd-w2J8vl1T6-Bm90~pKAKkMdCZArnbv56HXQDA9EZTVDsJ~O4yv109LS0sD45ukzNPT0JphJwfzgxuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-02-27T16:44:00.747Z","article","The Senate Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee voted to advance House Bill 147, a measure seeking to prohibit what its sponsor described as “institutional discrimination” and to limit government diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Representative Rachel Rodriguez Williams, sponsor of HB147, told the committee the bill “takes unnecessary acts to divisive activity by banning discrimination against any Wyomingite on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological ***, or national origin.” She said the measure is intended to require a “color‑blind” approach in state government and cited definitions in the bill that would prohibit programs or instruction that classify individuals by race or attribute collective blame or responsibility based on immutable characteristics. “This act restores our state government to the colorblind approach that the Constitution intends,” she said.

The printed draft, as read in committee, creates a new chapter in Title 9 (state statutes) with definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion and a definition of “institutional discrimination.” The listed prohibitions include statements that any race, color, religion or national origin is inherently superior or inferior, or that individuals should be discriminated against or held responsible because of those characteristics. The bill also would bar any government entity from requiring a student, employee or contractor to attend or participate in DEI programs or trainings described as promoting institutional discrimination. The sponsor said there are no penalties in the current draft but that she would consider civil remedies if the Legislature desired.

Public comment revealed sharply divided views. University of Wyoming student Sofia Gomelski urged the committee to vote no, saying the bill “represents an overreach of government authority” and warning it could chill teaching about historical injustices. She testified teaching slavery and its implications is an acknowledgment of historical reality and opposed language that would cause educators to avoid difficult subjects.

Santi Murillo of Wyoming Equality testified in opposition, saying banning DEI “is not about the intent” but that removing DEI programs would “willfully choose to ignore history” and harm students and the workforce. He said DEI work ensures historical truthfulness and helps address inequities.

By contrast, online commenter Laura Pavey supported HB147 and said the bill protects “treat[ment] of people as individuals, not as members of a group,” and protects students and employees from being forced to take part in programs that might conflict with their beliefs. Several committee members and witnesses said the bill does not ban teaching history or cultural celebrations; the sponsor reiterated that the text does not prohibit historical instruction.

Committee members moved and seconded the bill without recorded floor amendments in committee; the transcript shows a roll call with four ayes and one excused (Senator Crago excused; Senator McEwen recorded an absentee 'aye' on file). The clerk reported, “House Bill 147 has passed the committee.”

With the committee’s approval, HB147 moves forward to the next stage of consideration in the Senate. Committee discussion and public testimony indicate the measure will prompt further debate on academic freedom, classroom instruction and how state government defines and regulates training and programs addressing race, culture and historical injustice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, February 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Agriculture committee advanced House Bill 147, which would ban certain government DEI programs and define and prohibit what it calls institutional discrimination.","taxTitle","Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61176,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_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},6660910,"Senate committee advances bill to prohibit sanctuary policies; members trim penalties and defer some funding language",3325,815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431141-a08d548c2c25339832f9a26dc4debb89&start=815&end=4140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431141-a08d548c2c25339832f9a26dc4debb89/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6660910/Wyoming/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-prohibit-sanctuary-policies-members-trim-penalties-and-defer-some-funding-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660910-20d66e5e3fce4e499c380886b41fcccf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058728&Signature=KvJTgjuJBdI5U6ycR7~EZIIIVUVJfck-bZAAGIIn5FWn1dmB~xKctYKrBr00AFCaepMZaqz5nui8wjBbjaI8~z31B4sYc0snH61H28aWEkGCqwd98ktSMYCwTfaXep43mPkEQjDDLwK1lX2-EOi28BePfCqGx-IzPFzzhjNAS-4cPL-eFuwJtAfayWxdaes8JdHZV5tj685AEUSjJjF6Hql2H6mzuCi7rhd8JrlUHnvtTEv5u-rwg5uVjzZ~gZOjoS7SK0apu89GHObNAzie24A7QTLatBvnNQ7QddvnH5GD5~-fLoioOUUd73jW~WE9Mwc-unilQrOAfbLpkhWXxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee voted to advance House Bill 133, a measure that would prohibit sanctuary policies at state and local levels and require cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Sponsor Joel Guggenmoss, representing House District 55, told the committee the bill “ensures uniform enforcement of federal immigration laws across Wyoming by prohibiting sanctuary policies at the state and local levels.” He described the bill as promoting cooperation between local governments, state employees and federal authorities and said it includes penalties for noncompliance and an immediate effective date.

Guggenmoss walked committee members through the bill sections as printed in the draft: definitions, prohibitions on local governing bodies (cities, towns, counties), penalties for noncompliance, protections for state employees from being hindered when they communicate with federal authorities, a prohibition on an executive order declaring Wyoming a sanctuary state, and statutory cross‑references. He said the measures have “nothing to do with race” and that they aim to keep immigration enforcement orderly.

During public comment, speakers ranged across the issue. Antonio Serrano, advocacy director for the ACLU of Wyoming, said, “The ACLU of Wyoming opposes house bill 133,” and warned the bill would push immigrant and mixed‑status families into the shadows and reduce trust in local law enforcement. Bob McClaren of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities said his organization represents the state’s cities and towns and stated they opposed the bill as unnecessary: “We represent the state's 99 cities and towns, and, we're standing in opposition to this bill… we don't believe this is necessary. There are no… sanctuary cities in Wyoming.”

Jeremiah Grama, representing the County Commissioners Association, urged revisions to ensure parity between local and state employees and questioned provisions that would withhold and redistribute certain funds: he told the committee federal formulas for funds such as PILT and Secure Rural Schools may prevent the state from redistributing those federal moneys in the manner the bill initially proposed. He said the bill’s original draft “does not say what happens if the state does any of those things,” and urged the committee either to apply penalties at the state level as well or remove the redistributive language.

Supporters included Brett Moline of the Wyoming Farm Bureau, who said his members backed the bill as a state‑level response while recognizing federal immigration policy requires congressional action.

Committee members debated penalties and other text changes. The sponsor accepted committee edits including: clarifying removal of an extra conjunction in a definitions line (the Olson amendment) and agreeing to language that would make penalties applicable to “any state, or local official or employee.” The committee also reduced the original proposed felony range from five‑to‑ten years and up to $20,000 in fines to a suggested penalty of two‑to‑five years and a maximum fine of $10,000. Committee counsel and members also recommended removing the clause that would redistribute certain funds (page 5, lines 10–18) and agreed to address state/federal funding questions before floor action.

After working the amendments, the committee moved the amended bill out. The transcript records a roll call on House Bill 133 as amended: Senator Eyde (aye), Senator McEwen (aye, via absentee form), Senator Pearson (aye), Chairman French (aye); Senator Crago was recorded excused. The clerk reported “House Bill number 133 has passed, as amended … 4 in favor, 1 excused.”

The bill now proceeds to the full Senate for committee of the whole and possible floor amendments. Committee discussion recorded in the transcript shows members and stakeholders focused on penalty severity, whether state employees should be treated the same as local employees under the bill, and legal limits on withholding or redistributing federally allocated funds.","House Bill 133, which would ban sanctuary policies by local governments and require cooperation with federal immigration authorities, moved from the Agriculture committee with amendments that lower criminal penalties and leave disputed funding‑redistribution language for later action; public testimony included both support and opposition.",{"_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},6660914,"Governor’s Office introduces Stacia Berry as nominee for State Lands director",409,71000,480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431141-a08d548c2c25339832f9a26dc4debb89&start=71&end=480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431141-a08d548c2c25339832f9a26dc4debb89/thumbnail_71000.jpg","/articles/6660914/Wyoming/Governors-Office-introduces-Stacia-Berry-as-nominee-for-State-Lands-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660914-7103574dfe08bf1031cb938b744e5a83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058728&Signature=a1HXJwUxfSGfSP4FJibHSvVsAZb7fSzsWc4Sz1rMOpS7bZu3bCshp5NxMPZdWJjF1QxMQ1VjpMXlOYrtMr39qM8OA5RT3DsJStSNBB-~5Dj694kloxPM1iMLcmCchyTRTDikv6dnIE~4dMsOqe96Gx9Adj6BFKLqdRMMMFQEkJ9zjgL9pbOV9VyAuUZeKCg95xnwz4RxqHdfCtcEJFDvfMMruSMd7Ardyws6YDkppwyT~K4l2SwDqdlVjEeJCJ-J5~kJMvAdAqknSE6SGhdHMYlf-k544DyxDBwmX9HkO1KliMQR-FbsAx19GyEs8Op9HKxromnrxjjT8quZ9ZEkiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee heard from Governor Gordon’s office on the nomination of Stacia Berry to lead the Office of State Lands and Investments. Randall Luthy, policy director for Governor Gordon, introduced Berry and described the qualities the governor sought in the position.

Luthy said, “My name is Randall Luthy. I'm policy director for Governor Gordon,” and described the job as requiring “someone that's got to understand the agricultural industry” and “knowledge of Wyoming communities” and experience with land leases, oil and gas, and grants administered through the State Loan and Investment Board. He concluded, “So once again, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Stacia Berry.”

Berry told the committee she is a “fourth generation Wyomingite” whose family homesteaded near Cheyenne in 1910 and said her upbringing and years in 4‑H and FFA shaped her perspective. She described her academic background, noting a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree from Colorado State University, and said she later attended law school and practiced water and natural resource law.

Berry said she previously served as deputy director at the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and worked on the state hemp program and an ARPA‑funded Wyoming meat processing expansion grant. She said she currently practices at the Cook Law Firm and continues to handle water law matters. “I was invited to serve as the deputy director at the department of agriculture… where it provided me a peek behind the curtain,” she told the committee.

Committee members asked how she would work with the agricultural community and with federal partners. Berry said relationships are central: “Fostering an open door that says, send us your feedback. Let's have a conversation.” On federal agencies she said, “Sometimes it feels like a dictatorship. Sometimes it feels like we're not being heard,” but added she would work on collaboration and watch for changes in federal leadership that could alter relationships.

Berry also said, when asked about a recent Supreme Court ruling and its tax implications for state lands, that the appropriate path would be to follow the court’s interpretation and the legislature’s response. “As a member of the executive branch, I'm prepared to take the interpretations of the court and the law of the legislature and try and implement them as correctly as possible,” she said.

Berry summarized three priorities she discussed with the Appropriations Committee: “customer service, collaboration and common sense.” Committee members thanked her for appearing; there was no formal vote on the nomination recorded in the committee transcript.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Berry would oversee the State Lands office and interact with the State Loan and Investment Board on grants and land management issues.","Governor Gordon’s office presented Stacia Berry to the Senate Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee as its nominee for director of the Office of State Lands and Investments; Berry described her agricultural background and legal experience and answered committee questions about federal partnerships and priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to ban 'institutional discrimination' and restrict DEI programs; public testimony sharply divided

Senate committee advances bill to prohibit sanctuary policies; members trim penalties and defer some funding language

Governor’s Office introduces Stacia Berry as nominee for State Lands director