2022 Budget Session Reaches Bill Crossover Period

Cheyenne – After convening Feb. 14, the Wyoming Legislature has passed the midway point for the 2022 Budget Session. Wednesday marked the crossover period for the body, meaning it was the last day for third reading in the house of origin. Any legislation that did not successfully pass third reading in the primary house today will not go on for further consideration in the opposite chamber. 
At the start of the session, a total of 279 bills and resolutions were numbered for introduction. With two weeks remaining in this year’s session, 148 bills remain active. The Senate introduced 100 pieces of legislation and 73 of those bills have moved to the House for consideration. The House introduced 88 bills and passed 75 bills on to the Senate for deliberation. Ninety-one of the numbered bills were not considered or failed the introduction vote in both Chambers.    
Both the Senate and House have addressed a broad range of issues affecting Wyoming residents and now the second house will get a chance to make changes and pass or vote down those bills sent from the house of origin. Although these bills have passed in their primary house, the legislation still must gain approval of the second house and be sent to the Governor for consideration before becoming state law.  
March 7 is scheduled as the last day for bills to be reported out of committee in the second house and March 8 is scheduled as the last day for Committee of the Whole on bills in the second house. March 10 is scheduled as the last day for Third Reading on bills in the second house. Lawmakers plan to wrap up the 2022 Budget Session on March 11.

In addition to the bills currently being considered, legislators are finishing work on the State’s capital construction bill, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) legislation, and redistricting. The bodies will spend the next week reconciling the differences between the final Senate and House versions of the budget bill through a joint conference committee. After each Chamber votes to concur on the conference committee’s action, the budget bill will be sent to the Governor for his consideration. 
The Wyoming Legislature encourages the public to continue to actively participate in the legislative process. For a complete list of all the bills or to watch the proceedings as the session continues, please visit the Legislature’s website at www.wyoleg.gov.