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Wyoming2024Did Not Pass

HB0209

Changes to Alcohol Laws for People Under 21

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

The bill changes the penalties and record-keeping rules for people under 21 who possess, consume, or have alcohol in their system.

What it does

  • Amends the penalty for underage possession of alcohol from a general misdemeanor to a specific misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $250.
  • Prohibits courts from reporting convictions for underage alcohol offenses to law enforcement agencies.
  • Automatically expunges criminal records six months after payment of the fine, allowing individuals to say their record is clean when asked about it.

Who it affects

  • People under the age of 21 who possess, consume, or have alcohol in their system
  • Courts that handle underage alcohol offenses

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the session it was introduced.
  • It only applies to future cases and does not affect past convictions.
  • The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024, if passed.

Plain language

Terms to know

Expungement
The process of removing criminal records from public view and legal consequences.
Misdemeanor
A crime that is less serious than a felony, usually punishable by fines or short jail time.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 6:23 AM

Andrew Byron

R · H22

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker argues that criminalizing alcohol possession for young adults creates unnecessary barriers to employment, education, and housing. They state that expunging these records is a fair approach that allows individuals to move forward without the stigma of a youthful mistake.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:17:00 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe its structure creates an unnecessary administrative nightmare by requiring convictions before expungement. They suggest that if drinking were simply made legal, such complex procedures would not be needed.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:18:18 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 21-39-2-0-02024-02-14 · House21 yes 39 no
Yes
21
No
39
Absent
0
Excused
2
Conflict
0

Yes 21

Andrew ByronR · H22Bill AllemandR · H58Bob DavisR · H47Bob NicholasR · H07Dalton BanksR · H26Dan ZwonitzerH43Daniel SinghR · H61Jeanette WardH57John BearR · H31John WinterR · H28Karlee ProvenzaD · H45Ken ChestekD · H13Landon BrownR · H09Liz StorerD · H23Mike YinD · H16Ocean AndrewR · H46Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50Steve HarshmanR · H37Tamara TrujilloH44Tomi StrockR · H06Trey SherwoodD · H14

No 39

Albert P Sommers Jr.H20Allen SlagleH02Art WashutR · H36Barry CragoR · H40Ben HornokH42Chip NeimanR · H01Christopher KnappR · H53Clarence StyvarR · H12Clark D StithH48Clifford M JenningsH30Cody WylieR · H39Dave L ZwonitzerH08David E NorthrupH25Donald E Burkhart JrH15Ember OakleyH55Forrest ChadwickH62J.T. LarsonR · H17Jared OlsenR · H11Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04Jerry A ObermuellerH56John C EklundH10Jon ConradH19Ken CloustonR · H32Ken PendergraftR · H29Kevin O'HearnH59Lane AllredH21Lloyd LarsenR · H54Martha LawleyR · H27Pepper OttmanR · H34Reuben TarverR · H52Ryan BergerH49Sandy NewsomeH24Sarah PennH33Scott HeinerR · H18Scott SmithR · H05Thomas J WaltersH38Tony LockeR · H35Tony NiemiecH60William D HendersonH41

Excused 2

Abby AngelosR · H03Cyrus WesternH51

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H Failed Introduction 21-39-2-0-0House
  2. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  3. Bill Number AssignedLSO