Back to Wyoming
Wyoming2024Vetoed

SF0013

Federal Land Use Plans - Legal Actions Authorized

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

This bill allows the Wyoming legislature to take legal action regarding federal land use plans and authorizes loans for such actions.

What it does

  • Allows the legislature or management council to sue in state or federal courts if needed to protect legislative rights, powers, and interests related to federal acts like NEPA, FLPMA, NHPA, ESA, CAA, and CWA.
  • Enables the management council to borrow up to $75 million from a reserve account for legal actions.
  • Requires repayment of borrowed funds using specified methods including recovered court costs and legislative appropriations.
  • Permits county commissioners with standing to request funding from the management council for legal actions if certain conditions are met.

Who it affects

  • The Wyoming legislature
  • Management council members
  • County commissioners in Wyoming

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill was vetoed by the governor on March 15, 2024.
  • It is not clear if the veto will be overridden by lawmakers.
  • Funding provided to counties under this act will end in June 2026.

Plain language

Terms to know

Standing
Legal right to bring a lawsuit or participate in legal proceedings.
Legislative stabilization reserve account
A fund used by the legislature for financial stability and emergencies.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 8, 1:05 AM

Dalton Banks

R · H26

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the amendment because they believe federal efforts to control Wyoming public lands will continue beyond two years, requiring perpetual funding rather than a temporary limit.

Public statementFloor statement at 44:40 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment because leaving $75 million in limbo for two years is unnecessary if the funds are not needed, and they believe a future legislature can extend funding if required.

Public statementFloor statement at 47:43 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker argues that discussions with the House Appropriations Committee have created confusion regarding water supply purposes and funding sources, necessitating further discussion to resolve these issues.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:35:39 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker argues that authorizing $50 million creates a financial commitment equivalent to spending, whereas reducing the amount allows for partnership with the executive branch without overextending state finances.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:14:45 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker expresses concern about the constitutionality of the legislative branch initiating lawsuits and questions whether it violates separation of powers by encroaching on the Attorney General's role.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:17:54 Watch the statement

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

11 roll calls

S Recedes from non-concurrance: 24-5-0-0-22024-03-08 · Senate24 yes 5 no
S Concur:Failed 1-28-0-0-22024-03-07 · Senate1 yes 28 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 47-15-0-0-02024-03-07 · House47 yes 15 no
Amendment adopted 33-29-0-0-02024-03-07 · House33 yes 29 no
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-3-0-0-02024-03-05 · House4 yes 3 no
H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02024-02-29 · House9 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 20-9-0-0-22024-02-22 · Senate20 yes 9 no
Amendment adopted 27-2-0-0-22024-02-21 · Senate27 yes 2 no
S02 - Appropriations:Do Pass Failed 2-2-0-0-12024-02-15 · Senate2 yes 2 no
S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 6-0-0-0-02024-02-13 · Senate6 yes 0 no
S Introduced and Referred to S05 - Agriculture 25-6-0-0-02024-02-12 · Senate25 yes 6 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Governor Vetoed SEA No. 0067 Governor
  2. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0067House
  3. S President Signed SEA No. 0067Senate
  4. Assigned Number SEA No. 0067LSO
  5. S Recedes from non-concurrance: 24-5-0-0-2Senate
  6. H Appointed JCC01 MembersHouse
  7. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  8. S Concur:Failed 1-28-0-0-2Senate
  9. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  10. H 3rd Reading:Passed 47-15-0-0-0House
  11. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  12. H COW:PassedHouse
  13. H Placed on General FileHouse
  14. H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-3-0-0-0House
  15. H COW:Rerefer to H02 - AppropriationsHouse
  16. H Placed on General FileHouse
  17. H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  18. H Introduced and Referred to H05 - AgricultureHouse
  19. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  20. S 3rd Reading:Passed 20-9-0-0-2Senate

Changes

Amendments

6 stored

SF0013H2001

The amendment changes the bill to allow counties to request funding from a management council for legal actions and increases the loan amount available.

SF0013H2002

The amendment removes specific sections from the bill that relate to legal actions involving federal acts and funding for counties.

SF0013H3001

The amendment adds a sunset clause for funding provided by the legislature to counties and specifies that any remaining funds will be returned to a legislative reserve account in 2026.

SF0013HS001

The amendment modifies the bill's language by removing certain sections and making specific changes to subsections of W.S. 28-8-114.

SF0013HS002

The amendment changes the amount of money that can be loaned from fifty million dollars to five thousand dollars.

SF0013S2001

The amendment allows the legislature to borrow up to $50 million from a reserve account for legal actions, with rules on repayment and interest.