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Wyoming2012Did Not Pass

HJ0011

Change How Wyoming Public Schools Are Led

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This proposal would remove the elected state superintendent of public instruction and give the governor the power to appoint a cabinet officer to supervise public schools starting in 2015.

What it does

  • Removes the state superintendent of public instruction as an elected office starting with the 2014 general election.
  • Gives the governor the responsibility for general supervision of public schools on and after January 5, 2015.
  • Requires the governor to appoint a cabinet officer to represent the governor in supervising schools.
  • Requires the Wyoming Senate to advise and consent to the appointment of this cabinet officer.
  • Replaces the state superintendent with the appointed cabinet officer as an ex officio member of the University of Wyoming board of trustees.
  • Removes the state superintendent from the board of land commissioners, reducing the board from five to four members.

Who it affects

  • The Governor of Wyoming
  • The Wyoming State Senate
  • The University of Wyoming board of trustees
  • The board of land commissioners

Limits and unknowns

  • This bill did not pass and failed introduction in the 2012 session, so these changes were not enacted.
  • The specific powers and duties of the appointed cabinet officer would be defined by future laws, which are not detailed in this text.
  • The proposal requires a majority vote from electors in a general election to become part of the Constitution.

Plain language

Terms to know

Ex officio
A person who holds a position or role by virtue of their other official office, rather than being elected or appointed specifically for that role.
Cabinet officer
A high-ranking official in the executive branch of government who is appointed by the governor.
Advice and consent
A process where the legislature, specifically the Senate in this case, must approve an appointment made by the governor.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 5:16 PM

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker opposes the measure because he believes voters should be able to choose who runs the department and suggests other possibilities need consideration before changing the system.

Public statementFloor statement at 18:39 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker opposes the bill because he values voter choice in elections, enjoys hearing candidates debate education issues, and fears shifting too much power to the governor's office.

Public statementFloor statement at 19:39 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

1 roll call

H Failed Introduction 36-23-1-0-02012-02-17 · House36 yes 23 no
Yes
36
No
23
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 36

Bernadine CraftH17Bryan K PedersenH07Catherine R ConnollyH13Del McOmieH54Dn.Elaine HarveyH26Glenn W MonizH46Gregory R BlikreH53James A RoscoeH22James W ByrdH44John L FreemanH60John W PattonH29Joseph M BarbutoH48Keith M GingeryH23Ken A EsquibelH41Kermit C BrownH14Mary A ThroneH11Matthias E GreeneH45Michael D GreearH27Michael K MaddenH40Nicholas BPat ChildersH50Peter S IllowayH42Rita CampbellH34Rosie M BergerH51Ruth A PetroffH16Samuel P KroneH24Stanley L BlakeH39Steve HarshmanR · H37Sue E WallisH52Thomas A LockhartH57Timothy M StubsonH56Tom Lubnau IIH31William "Jeb" StewardH47W. Patrick P GogglesH33Zwonitzer

No 23

Allen M JaggiH18Amy L EdmondsH12Carl R LoucksH59Clarence J VranishH49David R MillerH55Donald E Burkhart JrH15Edward BuchananH04Frank D PeasleyH03Hans HuntH02John C EklundH10John D Bonner Jr.H25Jonathan A BottenH30Kathleen DavisonH20Kendell R KroekerH35Lorraine K QuarbergH28Mark SemlekH01Matt TeetersH05Norine A KasperikH32Owen PetersenH19Richard L CannadyH06Robert A BrechtelH38Robert M McKimH21Thomas F ReederH58

Excused 1

Gerald GayH36

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H Failed IntroductionHouse
  2. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  3. Bill Number AssignedLSO