CASPER, Wyo. — Governor Mark Gordon announced the signature of eight bills into law on Thursday. A full list of the bills signed so far can be found on the governor’s website here. Details on many of those bills can be found here.
Public utilities-wildfire mitigation and liability limits (HEA0058 HB0192) The bill requires utility companies to identify wildfire risk around its infrastructure and devise plans to mitigate the risk, including vegetation management and equipment inspections. Companies with plans approved by the Wyoming Public Services Commission shall carry of presumption resumable prudence related to wildfire risk in civil cases.
PacifCorp officials have said that insurance costs have increased 1,800% in the last few years due to wildfire risk and costly civil judgments. They cite the cost as one of the prime reasons behind its proposed rate hike. PacificCorp was ordered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to Oregon customers following the Labor Day fires in 2020 that killed nine and destroyed over 5,000 homes.
Wyoming Rep. J.T. Larson of Sweetwater County said the goal of the bill was to save ratepayers money protect utilities who act in good faith from lawsuits.
Child custody-sex offense conviction presumption (HEA0060 HB0083.) The bill says that judges “shall” consider a parents sex-offender registration status which making custody decision. It also establishes a presumption that it is not in the best interests of a child to be unsupervised with a parent who is a registered sex-offender, though the point may be argued to the judge.
Prohibiting foreign funding of ballot measures (HEA0061 HB0337) The bill prohibits groups, political action committees, and organizations influencing state policy from allowing a foreign national to fund or participate in the initiative. The groups must submit certifications of compliance with the Secretary of State, and violators are subject to civil action.
Religious Freedom Restoration Act. (HEA0066 HB0207). The bill says that “state action shall not substantially burden a person’s right to the exercise of religion. A person or corporation restricted in violation of the law may seek declaratory or injunctive relief from a judge.
School finance-model recalibration (HEA0068 HB0316). The bill creates a committee dedicated to recalibrating the education resource block grant model to ensure that funding keeps up with the actual costs of good services in the education system.
Immunity for drug overdose reporting (SEA0063 SF0074). The bill provides immunity from prosecution for possession or use of a controlled substance when reporting an overdose on behalf of themselves or another, provided they cooperate with law enforcement and remain at the scene where the event is occurring. A person reporting an overdose on their own behalf is only eligible for immunity twice in a 12-month period, and must complete a treatment program before to retain immunity in the second instance.
Child witnesses-courtroom procedures (SEA0067 SF0100). The bill establishes procedures whereby, in cases of sexual assault of a minor, incest or human trafficking, the minor victim may testify remotely or have the defendant excluded from the courtroom. Other accommodations may also be made if the court determines the child may experience extraordinary emotional distress or barriers to communicating.
Support for rural schools. (HEJR0002 HJ0003 )The joint resolution notes that Wyoming has 15 throughout 12 districts that have three rooms or less, collectively supporting 102 students and reiterates that “the members of the Wyoming Legislature commit to ensuring rural and isolated families do not have to fight to gain access to an education for their children and that keeping families together and providing them with a complete and uniform system of public instruction is in the public’s best interest.”
As the Wyoming Legislature has now adjourned, by law Governor Gordon has 15 days to act on any remaining enrolled acts.
The full text of all bills can be found on the Wyoming Legislature’s website. A list of bills from the 2025 Legislative session that the Governor has taken action on to date can be found on the Governor’s website.
