Wyoming House fails to override governor's veto on HB178 on union transparency

The Wyoming House of Representatives on March 11 failed to override Gov. Gordon's veto of House Enrolled Act 35 (original House Bill 178), a measure addressing public-union transparency and limits on dues withdrawals. The vote tally announced by the chief clerk was 36 yes, 21 no, with five excused; the motion therefore did not reach the two-thirds threshold required to overturn the veto.

The majority floor leader moved under the Wyoming Constitution to override the veto. In debate, Representative Williams said his decision was shaped not by loud public comment or organizational lobbying but by "quiet voices" — personal emails and conversations from constituents — and said he would vote to overturn the veto. After discussion concluded, the chief clerk called the roll and closed the vote; the speaker announced the motion had failed.

Why it matters: HB178 was presented as a measure affecting public-employee unions, transparency obligations and dues-withdrawal procedures; an override would have returned the bill to the statute despite the governor's veto. Because the House did not meet the constitutional override threshold, the governor's veto remained in effect pending any further action by the Senate.

What happened procedurally: The majority floor leader made the motion to override; the vote was recorded by roll call and the chief clerk reported the final tally as announced on the floor. No amendment or further procedural action on HB178 was recorded in the House before the body moved on to other business and closing procedures.

Next steps: With the House failing to override, the status of HB178 remains as vetoed. The House record indicates the body will await any related action in the Senate or future procedural steps; no further House action on HB178 was recorded during the March 11 session.