Bighorn and Domestic Sheep Relocation Act
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Bill Summary - 24LSO-0543 Bill No.: SF0118 Effective: 7/1/2024 LSO No.: 24LSO-0543 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0066 Chapter No.: 105 Prime Sponsor: Hicks Catch Title: Bighorn and domestic sheep relocation-federal action. Has Report: No Subject: Bighorn and domestic sheep. Summary/Major Elements: This act: Requires the Game and Fish Department to relocate or remove all bighorn sheep from the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit in response to specified federal action; Specifies additional duties for the Game and Fish Department, the state and its agencies and the Attorney General related to the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan; and Authorizes the Wildlife/Livestock Disease Research Partnership Board to allocate funds for monitoring, tracking and conducting disease surveillance before and following the introduction of bighorn sheep in the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit. Comments: This act has a delayed effective date: the act is effective not later than fifteen (15) days after applicable federal law is enacted and the Attorney General certifies to the Secretary of State that federal law has been enacted that aligns with the purposes of this act. If no federal law is enacted that aligns with the purposes of this act, this act is effective January 1, 2026. This act contains appropriations: One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) is appropriated from the general fund to the Wildlife/Livestock Disease Research Partnership Account for purposes of reimbursing the Game and Fish Department for the costs of relocation or removal of bighorn sheep ; Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Agriculture for the rangeland health assessment program to conduct rangeland monitoring of the United States Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments in the Sweetwater Rocks bighorn sheep herd unit vicinity. 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
Last checked Aug 5, 10:23 PM
R · S11
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes concurring because a House amendment delayed the bill's effective date by three years and made it contingent on federal action, which negates the bill's purpose.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explains that the bill's effective date was compromised to January 1, 2026, because maintaining the original House position or accepting a one-year delay were not viable options. They note this timeline allows for necessary processes like range land management assessments and disease monitoring programs.
H19
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker states that the decision on the effective date was a compromise they made with the Senate group after denying their request for a one-year delay.
H19
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports an amendment to clarify the bill's timeline, ensuring it only enacts if no federal action occurs by July 1st, 2026.
R · H29
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the clarifying amendment because it improves upon previous language and adds necessary clarity to the bill.
R · H34
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because relocating stressed sheep is not a viable solution and landowners have been promised no movement without written federal assurances protecting grazing rights.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it provides protections for wool growers by disincentivizing federal agencies from adjusting grazing allotments if sheep are ever reintroduced.
R · H17
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill to mitigate conflict and uncertainty between livestock owners wanting protection from disease risks and those interested in sheep reintroduction.
R · H28
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because introducing sheep would give federal agencies another opportunity to target land management issues across Wyoming.
H21
Why they voted this way
The speaker states they are asking for a no vote because that is what the people they represent need to hear regarding the potential lowering of allotments.
R · S26
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker voted against the bill because constituents from Jeffrey City expressed strong opposition. Although most emails received were positive, one negative email influenced the decision to vote no.
R · S11
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill to protect Wyoming's agricultural industry from third-party litigation while allowing for the potential reintroduction of bighorn sheep.
Wyoming roll calls
10 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
9 stored
The amendment removes a specific line from the bill, which originally required certain actions in response to federal action regarding bighorn sheep relocation.
The amendment removes a previous set of changes made by the Conrad committee regarding bighorn sheep relocation.
The amendment removes certain conditions and clarifies when a state act becomes effective based on federal action or lack thereof.
The amendment adds a condition for when the bill can take effect, requiring federal law to align with the bill's purposes within 15 days after it is enacted or by July 1, 2026.
The amendment changes the bill's language regarding federal action and specific locations for bighorn sheep relocation.
The amendment changes references from 'cooperative review area' to 'herd unit' throughout the bill and adds a new policy statement about accepting risks of contact between bighorn sheep and livestock.
The amendment modifies a bill to change how bighorn sheep are managed in the Sweetwater Rocks area, including altering responsibilities for their removal and adding conditions under which federal actions can affect grazing.
The amendment changes references to 'cooperative review area' to 'herd unit', modifies certain phrases for clarity, and adds a new section about the effective date of the act.
The amendment changes references to 'herd unit' in the bill to 'cooperative review area', modifies certain legal actions related to federal courts, and alters specific sections of the bill's text.