Art Washut
R · H36
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports concurring with Senate amendments because they allow exceptions to preserve valid primacy agreements with federal agencies.
Public statementFloor statement at 41:09 Watch the statement
Wyoming2024Enacted
HB0036
Natural Resource Protection Act
Last scannedOct 13, 2026, 2:19 AM
In one sentence
This law allows the Governor to decide if certain federal rules about managing public land do not follow federal laws, and then stops state workers from using state money or resources to enforce those rules unless a court says otherwise.
What it does
- The act authorizes the Governor, with advice from the attorney general, to determine whether a federal executive order, final rule, or regulation does not comply with federal land management laws.
- Upon such determination and providing notice, state personnel and funds cannot be used to enforce or administer that federal directive unless a court determines it is unlawful.
- The Governor can make exceptions to preserve valid primacy agreements with federal agencies if the exception reduces adverse impacts on the state.
Who it affects
- State officials and employees
- Federal land management agencies
Limits and unknowns
- This law only applies to rules and regulations regarding federal land management.
- It does not prevent state officials from accepting federal funds for law enforcement purposes.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Governor
- The leader of a state who makes decisions about how the state is run.
Official record
Sources
Read the official summary
Bill Summary - 24LSO-0344 Bill No.: HB0036 Effective: 7/1/2024 LSO No.: 24LSO-0344 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0042 Chapter No.: 69 Prime Sponsor: Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee Catch Title: Natural Resource Protection Act. Has Report: No Subject: Natural Resource Protection Act. Summary/Major Elements: This act creates the Natural Resource Protection Act, which authorizes the Governor, with advice from the attorney general, to determine that a federal executive order, final rule or regulation does not comply with federal land management laws. Upon the determination by the Governor, this act prohibits the state from using any personnel or funds appropriated by the legislature or any other source of funds that originate within the state to enforce or administer that federal executive order, final rule or regulation. This act authorizes the Governor to make exceptions to the implementation of this act to preserve any valid primacy agreement with a federal agency if the Governor believes the net effect of this exception is to reduce the adverse impact of federal regulations on the state. This act prohibits the Governor from revoking a valid primacy agreement with a federal agency over the regulation and enforcement of a federal law or program until a court of competent jurisdiction determines the federal executive order, final rule or regulation is unlawful. This act shall not limit or restrict a public officer from providing assistance to federal authorities for purposes not specifically identified in this act and shall not be construed to prohibit any governmental entity from accepting federal funds for law enforcement purposes. Comments: This act may be cited as the "Natural Resource Protection Act." 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 Aug 8, 5:22 AM
Voted Yes
Tim French
R · S18
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because it creates confusion by allowing the governor to make determinations that may conflict with federal court rulings, potentially putting local law enforcement in a difficult position.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:04:02 Watch the statement
John Kolb
R · S12
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because he fears it could lead to a loss of state primacy over environmental regulations, which would be catastrophic for Wyoming's energy and mineral sectors.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:06:35 Watch the statement
Bob Ide
R · S29
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because he trusts the governor to make the right decisions regarding federal land management and views this legislation as an additional tool for state discretion.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:15:08 Watch the statement
Dan Laursen
R · S19
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes it removes flexibility from local officials, potentially preventing them from assisting in emergencies like wildfires even when cooperation is necessary.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:17:20 Watch the statement
Cheri Steinmetz
R · S03
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill as a straightforward measure to ensure state resources are not used to enforce federal rules that do not comply with existing federal law.
Public statementFloor statement at 1:18:01 Watch the statement
Scott Heiner
R · H18
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker moved the bill and requested favorable consideration, indicating support for its introduction.
Public statementFloor statement at 42:49 Watch the statement
John Winter
R · H28
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explained that the bill was developed in response to BLM actions in Rock Springs to protect constitutional rights, ensure federal compliance with laws on administering lands, and uphold multiple-use principles.
Public statementFloor statement at 43:13 Watch the statement
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
Recorded votes
7 roll calls
H Concur:Passed 62-0-0-0-02024-03-05 · House62 yes 0 no
- Yes
- 62
- No
- 0
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 62
Abby AngelosR · H03Albert P Sommers Jr.H20Allen SlagleH02Andrew ByronR · H22Art WashutR · H36Barry CragoR · H40Ben HornokH42Bill AllemandR · H58Bob DavisR · H47Bob NicholasR · H07Chip NeimanR · H01Christopher KnappR · H53Clarence StyvarR · H12Clark D StithH48Clifford M JenningsH30Cody WylieR · H39Cyrus WesternH51Dalton BanksR · H26Daniel SinghR · H61Dan ZwonitzerH43Dave L ZwonitzerH08David E NorthrupH25Donald E Burkhart JrH15Ember OakleyH55Forrest ChadwickH62Jared OlsenR · H11Jeanette WardH57Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04Jerry A ObermuellerH56John BearR · H31John C EklundH10John WinterR · H28Jon ConradH19J.T. LarsonR · H17Karlee ProvenzaD · H45Ken ChestekD · H13Ken CloustonR · H32Ken PendergraftR · H29Kevin O'HearnH59Landon BrownR · H09Lane AllredH21Liz StorerD · H23Lloyd LarsenR · H54Martha LawleyR · H27Mike YinD · H16Ocean AndrewR · H46Pepper OttmanR · H34Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50Reuben TarverR · H52Ryan BergerH49Sandy NewsomeH24Sarah PennH33Scott HeinerR · H18Scott SmithR · H05Steve HarshmanR · H37Tamara TrujilloH44Thomas J WaltersH38Tomi StrockR · H06Tony LockeR · H35Tony NiemiecH60Trey SherwoodD · H14William D HendersonH41
S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-5-3-0-02024-03-04 · Senate23 yes 5 no
- Yes
- 23
- No
- 5
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 3
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 23
Anthony BouchardS06Bill LandenR · S27Bob IdeR · S29Bo BitemanR · S21Brian BonerR · S02Charles ScottR · S30Cheri SteinmetzR · S03Dan DockstaderR · S16Dan FurphyS10Dan LaursenR · S19Eric BarlowR · S23Evie BrennanR · S31Fred A BaldwinS14Jim AndersonR · S28John KolbR · S12Larry HicksR · S11Lynn HutchingsR · S05Ogden DriskillR · S01Stacy JonesR · S13Tim FrenchR · S18Tim SalazarR · S26Troy McKeownR · S24Wendy SchulerR · S15
S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 6-0-0-0-02024-02-29 · Senate6 yes 0 no
- Yes
- 6
- No
- 0
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-2-1-0-02024-02-27 · House59 yes 2 no
- Yes
- 59
- No
- 2
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 1
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 59
Abby AngelosR · H03Albert P Sommers Jr.H20Allen SlagleH02Andrew ByronR · H22Art WashutR · H36Barry CragoR · H40Ben HornokH42Bill AllemandR · H58Bob DavisR · H47Bob NicholasR · H07Chip NeimanR · H01Christopher KnappR · H53Clarence StyvarR · H12Clark D StithH48Clifford M JenningsH30Cody WylieR · H39Cyrus WesternH51Dalton BanksR · H26Daniel SinghR · H61Dan ZwonitzerH43Dave L ZwonitzerH08David E NorthrupH25Donald E Burkhart JrH15Ember OakleyH55Forrest ChadwickH62Jared OlsenR · H11Jeanette WardH57Jerry A ObermuellerH56John BearR · H31John C EklundH10John WinterR · H28Jon ConradH19J.T. LarsonR · H17Ken CloustonR · H32Ken PendergraftR · H29Kevin O'HearnH59Landon BrownR · H09Lane AllredH21Liz StorerD · H23Lloyd LarsenR · H54Martha LawleyR · H27Mike YinD · H16Ocean AndrewR · H46Pepper OttmanR · H34Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50Reuben TarverR · H52Ryan BergerH49Sandy NewsomeH24Sarah PennH33Scott HeinerR · H18Scott SmithR · H05Steve HarshmanR · H37Tamara TrujilloH44Thomas J WaltersH38Tomi StrockR · H06Tony LockeR · H35Tony NiemiecH60Trey SherwoodD · H14William D HendersonH41
Excused 1
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 4-3-0-0-02024-02-21 · House4 yes 3 no
- Yes
- 4
- No
- 3
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-2-0-0-02024-02-16 · House7 yes 2 no
H Introduced and Referred to H01 - Judiciary 56-5-1-0-02024-02-13 · House56 yes 5 no
- Yes
- 56
- No
- 5
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 1
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 56
Albert P Sommers Jr.H20Allen SlagleH02Andrew ByronR · H22Art WashutR · H36Barry CragoR · H40Ben HornokH42Bill AllemandR · H58Bob DavisR · H47Bob NicholasR · H07Chip NeimanR · H01Christopher KnappR · H53Clarence StyvarR · H12Clark D StithH48Clifford M JenningsH30Cody WylieR · H39Cyrus WesternH51Dalton BanksR · H26Daniel SinghR · H61Dan ZwonitzerH43Dave L ZwonitzerH08David E NorthrupH25Donald E Burkhart JrH15Ember OakleyH55Forrest ChadwickH62Jared OlsenR · H11Jeanette WardH57Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04Jerry A ObermuellerH56John BearR · H31John C EklundH10John WinterR · H28Jon ConradH19J.T. LarsonR · H17Ken CloustonR · H32Ken PendergraftR · H29Kevin O'HearnH59Landon BrownR · H09Lane AllredH21Lloyd LarsenR · H54Martha LawleyR · H27Ocean AndrewR · H46Pepper OttmanR · H34Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50Reuben TarverR · H52Ryan BergerH49Sandy NewsomeH24Sarah PennH33Scott HeinerR · H18Scott SmithR · H05Steve HarshmanR · H37Tamara TrujilloH44Thomas J WaltersH38Tomi StrockR · H06Tony LockeR · H35Tony NiemiecH60Trey SherwoodD · H14
Excused 1
Official activity
Bill history
- Assigned Chapter Number 69LSO
- Governor Signed HEA No. 0042 Governor
- S President Signed HEA No. 0042Senate
- H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0042House
- Assigned Number HEA No. 0042LSO
- H Concur:Passed 62-0-0-0-0House
- H Received for ConcurrenceHouse
- S 3rd Reading:Passed 23-5-3-0-0Senate
- S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
- S COW:PassedSenate
- S Placed on General FileSenate
- S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 6-0-0-0-0Senate
- S Introduced and Referred to S05 - AgricultureSenate
- S Received for IntroductionSenate
- H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-2-1-0-0House
- H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
- H COW:PassedHouse
- H Placed on General FileHouse
- H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 4-3-0-0-0House
- H01 - Judiciary:Rerefer to H02 - AppropriationsHouse
Changes
Amendments
2 stored
The amendment to HB0036 changes the language in the bill to specify that state resources cannot be used for enforcing certain federal land management rules or regulations.
The amendment allows the governor to make exceptions to the implementation of certain protections against federal land management rules if it reduces negative impacts on the state.