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SF0063

Wyoming Bill on Owning Predatory Animals

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill would have required people to get a permit from the state before owning certain wild animals and set penalties for breaking the rule, but it did not pass.

What it does

  • It stops people from owning or keeping a living predator without a permit.
  • It requires the director of the department of agriculture to approve any permit.
  • It allows the director to deny a permit if the animal is a threat to public health or safety.
  • It defines a 'predator' based on existing state law.
  • It gives the department of agriculture the power to write rules for this law.
  • It sets a penalty for breaking the law, including jail time or a fine.

Who it affects

  • People who own or want to own wild animals defined as predators.
  • The Wyoming Department of Agriculture, which would issue permits and write rules.
  • Law enforcement, which would handle penalties for violations.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the 2015 session, so these rules were not put into effect.
  • The specific list of animals considered 'predators' depends on another state law not fully detailed here.
  • The final version of the bill changed during the process, but the bill was not enacted.

Plain language

Terms to know

Predator
A wild animal that hunts other animals, as defined in Wyoming law.
Permit
Official permission from the government to do something, in this case, own a predator.
Misdemeanor
A minor crime that can result in jail time or a fine.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Summary for LSO115 Bill No.: SF0063 Effective : [BillEffectiveDate_RO] LSO No.: 15LSO-0061 Enrolled Act No.: SEA Chapter No.: [Chapter Number_RO] Prime Sponsor: Anderson, J.D. (SD02) Catch Title: Predator ownership. Subject: Ownership of predatory animals. Summary/Major Elements: This bill prohibits a person from owning a living predator unless the person has obtained a permit. The bill provides a penalty for owning a predator without a permi t and provides a definition of “predator.” NOTE: Final action on this bill was not taken at the time this summary was prepared. Should changes be made to the bill upon final passage, an updated summary will be prepared and placed upon the legislative website at www.legisweb.gov . A packet of updated summaries will be sent to all legislators after the time for any veto has expired (fifteen days after adjournment). The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Sep 12, 11:00 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker reviewed the amendments with the bill's sponsor and concluded that the changes are acceptable while preserving the original intent of the legislation.

Public statementFloor statement at 15:12 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker believes the amendments are too extensive without sufficient explanation of how they affect predator definitions, suggesting a negative vote is necessary until clarity is obtained.

Public statementFloor statement at 15:57 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker explains that the amendments clarified issues regarding stray cats by specifying which animals are appropriate for adoption without altering existing statutory definitions, and urges a vote in favor after discussions with the other chamber.

Public statementFloor statement at 16:23 Watch the statement

Eric Barlow

R · H03

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker stated the rules were made optional because rulemaking is costly and time-consuming, allowing the department to determine if a threat actually exists before imposing regulations.

Public statementFloor statement at 58:06 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker states that health and safety are the highest priorities for legislation, which is why he supports this bill dealing with predator ownership risks.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:34:04 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

6 roll calls

S Concur:Failed 13-17-0-0-02015-02-23 · Senate13 yes 17 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 37-22-1-0-02015-02-20 · House37 yes 22 no
Travel:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02015-02-11 · House9 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-6-1-0-02015-01-28 · Senate23 yes 6 no
Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 4-0-1-0-02015-01-26 · Senate4 yes 0 no
Travel:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02015-01-22 · Senate5 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. S postponed indefinitelySenate
  2. S Adopt JCC #1Senate
  3. H Appointed JCC01 MembersHouse
  4. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  5. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  6. S Concur:Failed 13-17-0-0-0Senate
  7. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  8. H 3rd Reading:Passed 37-22-1-0-0House
  9. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  10. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  11. H COW:PassedHouse
  12. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  13. H Placed on General FileHouse
  14. Travel:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  15. H Introduced and Referred to H06 - TravelHouse
  16. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  17. S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-6-1-0-0Senate
  18. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  19. S COW:PassedSenate
  20. Amendment AdoptedSenate

Changes

Amendments

3 stored

SF0063H3001

Corrected, Adopted 3rd reading by Barlow

SF0063HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by HTravel

SF0063SW001

Adopted Committee of the Whole by Anderson, J.D. (SD02)