Legislators focus on important issues

As the Wyoming Legislature begins its 2025 session this week in Cheyenne, there are, as usual, a number of consequential bills to be addressed.

With the passage of Constitutional Amendment A by Wyoming voters in last November’s election, expect some property tax relief out of this session. The amendment creates a separate category for residential property for taxation purposes.

However, don’t assume this will be a quick process. It will take a while for enough legislators to get on the same page regarding a way to provide property tax relief and some time for any solutions to be implemented.

Also this session, Sen. Tim French (SD 18) of Powell will be addressing water issues, both for municipal and irrigation systems, as many water systems in the state are aging and in dire need of repairs.

In other years, such systems would probably not be a hot topic.  But with the fires raging in California, its reservoirs running low and some fire hydrants turning up dry, Wyoming’s water supply systems could unexpectedly attract a great deal of attention this legislative session.

Rep. Rachel Rodriquez-Williams (HD 50) is co-sponsoring a bill with Sen. Dan Laursen (SD 19) and others to clarify the use of public school restrooms. The bill would require school children to use restrooms that align with their sex at birth.

The bill would also require reasonable accommodations, provide exceptions and set penalties.

Bathroom and locker room use by transgender individuals has been a hot topic in Wyoming and the nation for years.

These are just a few of the significant issues the Wyoming Legislature will face over the next two months.

Every year a number of silly, insignificant bills are introduced in the legislature. Past examples include naming a state vegetable and a state revolver.

We urge Wyoming’s legislature to waste little time on the nonsense bills and spend time on the bills that directly impact Wyomingites.