Wyoming2024Did Not Pass

HB0053

Public Health Emergency Definition Changes

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

The bill requires the governor to convene the legislature after declaring a public health emergency and updates the definition of 'public health emergency'.

What it does

Requires the governor to call a special session of the legislature after declaring a public health emergency.
Allows legislators to attend this special session either in person or remotely via electronic methods.
Updates the definition of 'public health emergency' to include serious illnesses and threats caused by epidemics, pandemics, dangerous new diseases, or harmful biological substances that could cause many deaths or long-term disabilities.

Who it affects

The governor of Wyoming
Members of the Wyoming legislature

Limits and unknowns

The bill did not pass and was introduced but failed to move forward in the session.
It applies only to declarations of public health emergencies occurring on or after July 1, 2024.

Plain language

Terms to know

Public Health Emergency: An occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition caused by an epidemic or pandemic disease, a novel and highly fatal infectious agent, or a biological toxin that poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official bill page Introduced text Official digest Current bill text Stored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 6:23 AM

Jeanette Ward

H57

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker supports the bill because it requires legislative consent before a public health emergency can be declared, preventing unilateral executive action. They argue this corrects past infringements on citizens' constitutional rights to make their own healthcare decisions and addresses job losses in the health field due to non-compliance.

Public statementFloor statement at 57:22 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 27-34-1-0-02024-02-14 · House27 yes 34 no

Yes: 27
No: 34
Absent: 0
Excused: 1
Conflict: 0

Excused 1

Abby AngelosR · H03

Official activity

Bill history

2024-02-14H Failed Introduction 27-34-1-0-0House
2024-01-24H Received for IntroductionHouse
2024-01-10Bill Number AssignedLSO