House panel advances bill extending sports eligibility rules to college athletics

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The House Education Committee on Jan. 24 approved House Bill 60, which would expand existing Wyoming rules on student eligibility in girls' sports to include collegiate teams, including the University of Wyoming and community colleges.

Vice Chair Representative Lawley, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure is intended to preserve what she called the "title 9 lane" in athletics and to align state definitions with recently introduced federal guidance. "We simply want to preserve the title 9 lane," she said.

The bill would restore the original K–12 framing in the earlier sports statute and add collegiate competition to the same framework. Lawley said the measure updates definitions, creates consistency with related bills and seeks to protect fairness, equity and safety in women's sports.

University of Wyoming athletics officials and several athletes testified that the bill contains provisions that could remove competitive opportunities for female athletes. Mike Smith, representing the University of Wyoming athletic department, told the committee the draft language "does not address either [fairness or safety]" and "removes opportunities from women athletes." Smith described scenarios — such as timed events in swimming and open track meets — in which a single athlete's classification at another institution could prevent Wyoming competitors from participating and pursuing qualifying times.

Macy Boggs, who played her final season on the University of Wyoming women's volleyball team, said her team lost two matches after refusing to play an opponent that included a male-classified athlete and that the losses kept the team out of the Mountain West Conference tournament. "No woman should ever be forced to choose between competing against a male athlete ... or forfeiting the rest of her season," Boggs said.

Representative Kelly proposed striking the section that would prevent teams from competing against opponents that include a male-classified athlete, arguing adult collegiate athletes should decide for themselves. After discussion about crafting a narrower fix, Kelly withdrew the on-the-floor amendment so sponsors could bring a refined proposal later. Representative Singh suggested a substitute process that would allow a super‑majority, anonymous team vote and required public notice 72 hours before a contest; the sponsor said she preferred to draft committee amendments for a later stage.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder told the committee she supports both bills under consideration and described the sports component as about "safety and opportunity in women's sports upholding Title IX." A Department of Corrections deputy director said the agency had no concerns implementing related privacy provisions in the companion bill affecting correctional facilities.

The committee approved HB60 on a roll-call vote, 9–0. The motion to report the bill favorably was made by Representative Straka and seconded by Representative Guggenmas.

What happens next: HB60 now moves to the full House for consideration. Sponsors said they plan additional drafting to address university and conference concerns raised during testimony.

Sources: committee hearing transcript Jan. 24, 2025; testimony from Vice Chair Representative Lawley, Mike Smith (University of Wyoming), Macy Boggs, and State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder.