Tuesday was the last day for bills in the 2017 session of the Wyoming Legislature to be approved in the house of origin.

All bills, with the exception of the budget bill, that have not passed a third reading in the house of introduction are dead.

The legislative session is expected to adjourn on March 3, 2017.

On December 21, Rep. Kendell Kroeker, a Republican from Evansville, announced his resignation from the Wyoming House of Representatives. Kroeker cited unexpected circumstances related to his business, Casper Mountain Motorsports, as the reason for his resignation.

The House District 35 vacancy will be filled by the local Republican Party.

Photo of Kendell Kroeker from the State of Wyoming Legislature.

On March 4, the Wyoming 63^rd Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die. During the 20-day session, the legislature rejected Medicaid expansion for the state, passed a $3 billion budget, and approved funding for several public construction projects, including facilities at the University of Wyoming.

The 64th Legislature will convene the 2017 general session on January 10.

Photo of the Wyoming State Capitol by Bradlyons on Wikimedia Commons.

Today Peggy Nighswonger, the Elections Director with the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office, resigned from her position. Nighswonger, who oversaw elections, campaign finance disclosure and election laws, and ethics for the state, “stepped down amid ‘differences in philosophy’ with Secretary of State Ed Murray, who was elected last year,” according to a report in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

Gov. Matt Mead has signed two campaign finance bills repealing aggregate contribution limits and recently instituted political action committee (PAC) limits.

House Bill 38 was originally filed to remove all contribution limits for PACs, but amendments to the bill keep a $5,000 limit from a PAC to any candidate who is not a statewide candidate.

House Bill 39 repeals the state’s aggregate contribution limits, which conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. Both bills are effective immediately.

Photo of Gov. Matt Mead by Gage on Wikimedia Commons.

The Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 6, 2015, after passing two campaign finance bills.

House Bill 38 was originally filed to remove all contribution limits for political action committees (PACs), but amendments to the bill keep a $5,000 limit from a PAC to any candidate who is not a statewide candidate.

House Bill 39 repeals the state’s aggregate contribution limits, which conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission.

Photo of the Wyoming State Capitol by Matthew Trump on Wikimedia Commons.

A legislative committee has voted to table a draft bill to expand disclosure requirements for political independent expenditure groups. The bill would require a group to report an independent expenditure if it “directly or indirectly” advocated for the election or defeat of a candidate.

Current law requires reporting only if the expenditure “expressly” advocates for the election or defeat of a candidate. A majority of the Joint Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee decided the language was overly broad.

U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson has approved a settlement agreement ending a lawsuit challenging the fundraising restriction faced by third-party candidates.

Jennifer Young, the Constitution Party’s candidate for secretary of state, and her supporter Donald Wills challenged a state campaign finance law prohibiting candidates from accepting contributions for the general election before the primary election. Since third-party candidates do not participate in the primary elections, they were prohibited from fundraising until August of an election year.

The court order finds the fundraising restriction unconstitutional and unenforceable against minor party candidates, independent candidates, and potential contributors.

A libertarian group has filed a lawsuit in federal court to remove the state’s aggregate limit on political contributions. The Liberty Group, on behalf of Dan and Carleen Brophy, sued Secretary of State Max Maxfield claiming the state’s aggregate limit of $25,000 per two-year cycle unconstitutionally restricts free speech.

The state has declined to follow Maryland and Massachusetts in issuing orders not to enforce state law following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission.

In June, a majority of the Joint Corporations, Appropriations, and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee voted to order staff to draft a bill repealing a new limit for PAC contributions as well as the existing aggregate limit.

Lawmakers are reconsidering a new law placing caps on political action committee (PAC) spending in state elections. A majority of the Joint Corporations, Appropriations, and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee voted to order its nonpartisan staff to draft a bill repealing a section of state law before it becomes effective on January 1, 2015.

If not repealed, the law will cap direct or indirect PAC contributions at $7,500 to any statewide candidate and $3,000 to any other candidate. Currently there is no limit for PAC contributions.

In a separate measure, the committee ordered a draft bill to repeal the state’s aggregate contribution limits, which conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission.

The Legislature adjourned sine die a day early on Thursday, March 6, 2014.

Gov. Matt Mead signed the state budget bill on Wednesday and thanked lawmakers for approving his requested $175 million for cities, towns, and counties.

Photo of the Wyoming State Capitol by Matthew Trump on Wikimedia Commons.

Governor Matt Mead has signed a campaign finance bill to increase contribution limits and decrease criminal penalties for violations. House Bill 187 increases contribution limits to $2,500 per candidate for statewide office and to $1,500 per candidate for non-statewide office. Currently, the limit is $1,000 for both statewide and non-statewide campaigns.

The bill also increases the total individual contribution limit from $25,000 to $50,000 per two-year election cycle. Contributions from PACs, currently unlimited, will be limited to $7,500 per candidate for statewide office and $3,000 per candidate for non-statewide office.

The penalty for a first violation of the limits will drop from $10,000 to $5,000 and filing a false report will no longer be a felony. The bill becomes effective January 1, 2015.

ARKANSAS: The fiscal session of the Arkansas General Assembly adjourned at noon on Friday, March 9, 2012.

OREGON: The Oregon Legislative Assembly has adjourned sine die for the 2012 regular session on March 5.

UTAH: The 2012 general session of the Utah State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8, ending on its 45th day, the last permitted by the Constitution for annual general sessions. Governor Gary Herbert has until March 28 to sign or veto bills presented to him by the legislature.

WASHINGTON: The 2012 regular session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8, 2012. Governor Gregoire has called for a special session to begin on March 12, 2012 to address a supplemental budget plan.

WYOMING: The State of Wyoming Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8. Governor Matt Mead has until March 26 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk.

Many thanks to our terrific Research Department for this update!

The state legislature has introduced a bill to bring Wyoming’s state campaign finance law into compliance with the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in the “Citizens United” lawsuit. Senate File 0003 sets forth reporting requirements for corporations and others making independent expenditures.

Currently, Wyoming law prohibits corporations from making these expenditures. Under the bill, direct corporate contributions to campaigns would remain illegal.

This image is a segment from the Flag of Wyoming by Dbenbenn on Wikipedia.