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SF0123

Collective Bargaining for Fire Fighters

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill outlines rules for how local governments in Wyoming must negotiate contracts with fire fighter unions and how disputes are handled through nonbinding arbitration.

What it does

  • Requires local governments to meet with fire fighter union representatives within 10 days of receiving a written request.
  • Limits the length of any written contract to two years.
  • Requires unresolved issues to go to arbitration if no agreement is reached within 30 days of the first meeting.
  • States that arbitration decisions are nonbinding and advisory only to the governing body.
  • Gives the governing body final determination on all contract terms.

Who it affects

  • Fire fighters in cities, towns, or counties.
  • Local government officials (corporate authorities) responsible for setting wages and working conditions.
  • Bargaining agents representing fire fighters.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the 2015 session and failed final reading in the Senate.
  • The bill text provided does not specify how the governing body must implement the advisory arbitration recommendations beyond stating they are advisory.

Plain language

Terms to know

Corporate authorities
The council, commission, or other proper officials of a city, town, or county who are responsible for establishing wages, salaries, and working conditions for fire fighters.
Nonbinding arbitration
A dispute resolution process where the arbitrator's decision is advisory and does not force the governing body to accept it.
Bargaining agent
The representative or representatives who negotiate on behalf of the fire fighters.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 4:10 AM

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes Amendment No. 2 because using actuarial assumptions based on age could lead to valid age discrimination complaints, making the amendment unworkable.

Public statementFloor statement at 54:48 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports Amendment No. 3 because it addresses the specific concerns raised by constituents regarding binding arbitration for firefighter personal safety equipment.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:02:09 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker argues that the current system has worked well for fifty years without statewide problems, so there is no need to fix something that isn't broken.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:16:12 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker states he will vote against the bill because it has not moved far enough toward a fair middle ground for both firefighters and cities.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:18:21 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker urges rejection of the legislation to allow for further interim work that could produce a better compromise addressing safety and other raised issues.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:23:59 Watch the statement

Bill Landen

R · S27

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he has not received sufficient support from city officials and constituents back home to feel comfortable voting for it.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:24:43 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because he believes it strikes the right balance by preserving collective bargaining rights while ensuring governing bodies remain accountable to voters on economic issues.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:31:02 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

4 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Failed 14-13-3-0-02015-02-05 · Senate14 yes 13 no
Yes
14
No
13
Absent
0
Excused
3
Conflict
0

Yes 14

ANDERSON J.L.Cale CaseR · S25Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Eli D BeboutS26Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Larry HicksR · S11Leland G ChristensenS17Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24NICHOLAS PRESRay R PetersonS19Stan CooperS14Tony RossS04

No 13

ANDERSON J.D.Bernadine CraftS12Bill LandenR · S27Charles ScottR · S30Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03Drew A PerkinsS29Floyd EsquibelS08Fred M EmerichS05Gerald E GeisS20John HastertS13Paul R BarnardS15Stephan PappasR · S07

Excused 3

Bruce Burns Jr.S21Ogden DriskillR · S01Wayne H JohnsonS06
S 3rd Reading:Failed 13-14-3-0-02015-02-04 · Senate13 yes 14 no
Yes
13
No
14
Absent
0
Excused
3
Conflict
0

Yes 13

ANDERSON J.L.Cale CaseR · S25Dan DockstaderR · S16Eli D BeboutS26Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Larry HicksR · S11Leland G ChristensenS17Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24NICHOLAS PRESRay R PetersonS19Stan CooperS14Tony RossS04

No 14

ANDERSON J.D.Bernadine CraftS12Bill LandenR · S27Charles ScottR · S30Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Floyd EsquibelS08Fred M EmerichS05Gerald E GeisS20John HastertS13Paul R BarnardS15Stephan PappasR · S07

Excused 3

Bruce Burns Jr.S21Ogden DriskillR · S01Wayne H JohnsonS06
S 3rd Reading:Bill reconsideration motion passed by roll call 17-10-3-0-02015-02-04 · Senate17 yes 10 no
Yes
17
No
10
Absent
0
Excused
3
Conflict
0

Yes 17

ANDERSON J.L.Cale CaseR · S25Charles ScottR · S30Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Eli D BeboutS26Gerald E GeisS20Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Larry HicksR · S11Leland G ChristensenS17Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24NICHOLAS PRESPaul R BarnardS15Ray R PetersonS19Stan CooperS14Tony RossS04

No 10

ANDERSON J.D.Bernadine CraftS12Bill LandenR · S27Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03Drew A PerkinsS29Floyd EsquibelS08Fred M EmerichS05John HastertS13Stephan PappasR · S07

Excused 3

Bruce Burns Jr.S21Ogden DriskillR · S01Wayne H JohnsonS06
Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 4-1-0-0-02015-01-30 · Senate4 yes 1 no
Yes
4
No
1
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 4

AndersonHenry R CoeS18J.L. (S28)Stan CooperS14

No 1

Chris RothfussD · S09

Official activity

Bill history

  1. S 3rd Reading:Failed 13-14-3-0-0Senate
  2. Amendment AdoptedSenate
  3. Amendment AdoptedSenate
  4. Amendment was withdrawn before voteSenate
  5. Amendment failedSenate
  6. S 3rd Reading:Bill reconsideration motion passed by roll call 17-10-3-0-0Senate
  7. S 3rd Reading:Failed 13-14-3-0Senate
  8. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  9. S COW:PassedSenate
  10. S Placed on General FileSenate
  11. Minerals:Recommend Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0Senate
  12. Rerefer to S09 - Minerals
  13. S Introduced and Referred to S07 - CorporationsSenate
  14. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  15. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

4 stored

SF0123S3001

Failed 3rd reading by Meier

SF0123S3002

Withdrawn 3rd reading by Meier

SF0123S3003

Adopted 3rd reading by Kinskey

SF0123S3004

Adopted 3rd reading by Bebout