Wyoming Senate closes budget-session with farewells, governor's remarks

The Wyoming Senate completed its 2026 budget-session work on March 11 with a sequence of farewell remarks, procedural motions and a visit from the governor.

Majority floor leader Tara Nethercott moved that bills pending before the Senate not be carried over to a future legislative session; the motion passed on a voice vote. The Senate then voted to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate had completed its business and to appoint a committee to notify Gov. Mark Gordon; Senators Barlow and Pappas were named to that committee.

Several senators took privilege of the floor to offer tributes and closing reflections. Senator Hicks read a tribute to fallen service members and asked veterans in the chamber to stand. Senators Barlow and Pappas and others thanked staff and colleagues and reflected on long service in the legislature.

Governor Mark Gordon joined the Senate chamber and addressed members, thanking them for their work during a long session and praising investments in firefighting capacity and other priorities. During the remarks the governor presented a coin to chief clerk Ellen Thompson in recognition of her service; the presiding officer and senators acknowledged Thompson's pending retirement.

Vice President Tim Salazar delivered the benediction; senators joined in the Star-Spangled Banner and the president declared the Senate adjourned.

Next steps: The Senate will reconvene at a date jointly determined by the Senate president and House speaker or the session will stand adjourned until end of year per the adopted motion.