Committee adopts amendment delaying state action on bighorn sheep reintroduction pending federal law

The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on Wednesday voted to advance an amended bill that removes an arbitrary date from earlier legislation and makes the statute effective only if no federal law aligning with the statute is enacted by Jan. 1, 2028.

The amendment reinstates language that requires federal law adoption aligned with Wyoming's purposes before certain reintroduction actions proceed. Angie Bruce, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, told the committee the change is primarily a protection for permittees. "It isn't so much about having federal protections. It is really about having that federal language in place that protects the landowners from the federal government making changes that would have negative effects on their grazing allotments," Bruce said.

The amendment was presented by Representative Davis and was adopted by voice vote after brief committee discussion. Representative Straka said the change "should put ease everyone's minds" by making clear there would be no immediate reintroduction without further federal action. After the amendment vote, the committee voted to pass the bill as amended; the clerk recorded the vote as 9-0 in favor and the bill passed out of committee.

Livestock and producer groups testified in support of the amendment and the underlying change. Brett Meline of the Wyoming Farm Bureau said the measure "gives the state more power" by removing a January 1 deadline and emphasizing local permittees' concerns about impacts on grazing allotments. Keith Kenny, representing the Wyoming Wool Growers, and Lisonbee Crane, executive director of the Wyoming Wool Growers (participating by phone), also voiced support. Jim Maggagno of the Wyoming Stocker Association and several local landowners and ranchers testified that the amendment would give stakeholders time while federal legislation proceeds.

Several witnesses, including members of the Bighorn Sheep Working Group, told the committee the state plan and working group process involved years of meetings and that the amendment would not, by itself, reauthorize any translocations. Katie Chesbrough, executive director of the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, told the panel the original 2024 plan "does not approve the reintroduction of bighorn sheep in any way." She said the statewide plan and working-group process had been a multi-year cooperative effort.

Committee members and agency staff discussed the amendment's wording at length before adopting it. Representative Davis outlined the amendment language that would delete the sentence with the earlier date and instead make the act effective Jan. 1, 2028 "if no federal law is enacted that aligns with the purposes of this act." After questioning and a call for the question, the amendment carried on a voice vote and the bill passed by roll call with all recorded members voting aye.

The committee did not record any motions to direct further study or reports beyond the amendment and the committee vote. No dissenting votes were recorded on the committee floor.

The bill will move to the next stage of the legislative process with the committee's amendment attached.