Wyoming Senate overrides governor veto on drone bill after heated debate

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Senate on March 4, 2025 voted 23-8 to override Governor Mark Gordon’s veto of Senate File 132, known in enrolled form as Senate Enrolled Act 58, a bill described by supporters as a measure to protect critical infrastructure from unmanned aircraft systems.

Senators spent more than an hour and a half debating the measure before the roll call. The motion to reconsider and override the veto was made under Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution; the chamber approved the override 23-8 after a brief recess to resolve technical issues with the roll call system.

The vote followed sharply divided remarks on whether the state law would conflict with federal authority over navigable airspace and whether it properly limited use of force. Supporters said the bill gives local officials additional tools to investigate and respond to unauthorized drone activity near critical facilities. “This is just something for us to be able to protect ourselves,” Senator Jones, a member of the Senate, said on the floor, referring to the bill’s investigatory and enforcement provisions.

Opponents repeatedly warned of federal preemption and the risk of criminalizing innocent behavior. “The FAA . . . has responsibility in this area. We don’t,” Senator Case said, urging colleagues to sustain the veto and “let…