Senate Committee of the Whole approves state Religious Freedom Restoration Act after debate

The Wyoming Senate Committee of the Whole on Feb. 27 voted to recommend passage of House Bill 207, a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that would require courts to apply a strict scrutiny standard when state action substantially burdens religious exercise.

Senator Craig (sponsor) framed the bill as a procedural change to ensure courts apply the highest legal standard for free exercise claims, aligning state law with the federal RFRA’s strict scrutiny approach. "This bill is really about process and process only," he said, stressing that the statute would not favor one faith over another and that the core test requires the government to show a compelling interest and the least restrictive means when it burdens religious practice.

Senators asked about the law’s reach: Senator Case pressed whether the measure could apply to non-mainstream practices or to public-health mandates (vaccinations as an example). Senator Olson replied that the bill defines "exercise of religion" to include practices "whether or not compelled by or central to a system of religious beliefs," and that the provision requires a sincerely held belief and an identifiable burden such as denial of benefits or criminal penalties.

The Committee of the Whole adopted a sponsor amendment removing a provision authorizing unlimited damages and clarifying available remedies would focus on declaratory and injunctive relief. Supporters said that change addressed concerns about exposing the state to large financial liabilities while preserving the statute’s core protections.

The committee voice vote was recorded in the floor proceedings as passing the Committee of the Whole; no roll-call on final passage before the full Senate was recorded in the transcript. The bill now moves forward in the chamber’s process for a subsequent floor vote.