Wyoming Freedom Caucus calls foul on committee bill decimation

FROM WYOFILE:

In a blow to the Republican group’s majority bloc, 21 committee bills failed introduction on Monday in the House— more than twice the number the caucus killed in the last budget session, when it was in the minority.

CHEYENNE—Lawmakers got a dose of déjà vu Monday when dozens of committee bills came to an abrupt end after failing to pass an introductory vote. 

The legislative casualties included five property-tax bills, seven measures aimed at reshaping elections, a bill to dismantle the Wyoming Business Council and an extensive proposal dictating how the state pays for public schools. 

In even-numbered years, when lawmakers are tasked with crafting the state’s next two-year budget, all other legislation must receive an initial two-thirds approval to move forward. The high bar makes it easier for a minority of lawmakers to tank legislation not to their liking. 

Such was the case during the last budget session in 2024, when the Wyoming Freedom Caucus did not have the House majority it does now, but did have a voting bloc big enough to halt 13 committee bills. 

At the time, the caucus called the move a way to shift “policy more in line with conservative values.” Other lawmakers lamented the wasted extra time and money that go into crafting committee bills during the legislative offseason. It was once a legislative tradition to prioritize committee bills over individually sponsored measures since they go through an extended vetting process in the off-season months, but that’s changed in recent years. 

Monday, the shoe appeared to be on the other foot. A total of 33 committee bills died on introduction. Twenty-one of those were House bills. Most were the work of Freedom Caucus members and allies.

“For years, Insiders have treated committee bills as untouchable. Today, RINOS and Dems teamed up to kill election integrity bills sponsored by now-conservative [House Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions] Committee,” the Freedom Caucus posted on social media. 

“Turns out they never really cared about the bills being committee bills. They’re just leftists,” the caucus said. 

The stricken election-related legislation included a ban on ballot drop boxes, a prohibition on ballot collecting and an increased requirement for independent candidates to appear on the general election ballot. 

Ahead of the legislative session, WyoFile asked Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, if the Freedom Caucus was concerned its priorities would not make it past introduction and what, if anything, the group was doing to whip votes. 

Bear said he could not speak for the caucus — he’s no longer its chairman — but said he wasn’t worried. 

“It’s an election year,” Bear said. “If those people want to block the stuff that the people want, they’ll pay a heavy price.”

All House districts are up for reelection in 2026 as are odd-numbered Senate districts.

Meanwhile, the Freedom Caucus did not green light every committee bill. Instead, the group’s members and allies teamed up to block three bills sponsored by the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee. 

One of those bills would have created a user fee for mountain bike riders at state parks to fund trail-building and infrastructure projects. Another bill would have enabled the State Museum in Cheyenne to charge an admission fee. The third piece of legislation sought to earmark gaming funds for the Wyoming outdoor recreation and tourism trust. 

Additionally, Reps. Bear, Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, Scott Heiner, R-Green River, Jayme Lien, R-Casper, Ann Lucas, R-Cheyenne, J.R. Riggins, R-Casper, and Scott Smith, R-Lingle, broke from the caucus to tank a bill based on “chemtrail” claims that the federal government is sterilizing soils and blocking the sun.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

This story was posted on Feb. 10, 2026.