Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to Wyoming
Wyoming2026Did Not Pass

HB0066

Judicial Deference for Agency Actions

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

The bill changes how courts review actions by state agencies and limits the deference given to agency interpretations of laws.

What it does

  • Amends the judicial review process of agency actions, requiring district courts not to defer to an agency's interpretation when reviewing statutes, rules, regulations, or final decisions.
  • Encourages courts to favor interpretations that limit agency power and protect individual freedoms when there is doubt.
  • Applies these new standards to actions for judicial review filed on or after July 1, 2026.

Who it affects

  • State agencies whose decisions are reviewed by the courts
  • Courts that handle cases involving state agency actions

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was not considered by the Committee of the Whole on February 23, 2026.
  • It only applies to actions for judicial review filed after July 1, 2026, if it were to become law.

Plain language

Terms to know

Deference
When a court gives weight to an agency's interpretation of laws or regulations.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 1:27 AM

Ken Chestek

D · H13

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes it fundamentally misunderstands the role of deference, noting that courts already enforce plain meaning and only use agency deference as a tool when language is unclear.

Public statementFloor statement at 4:09:48 Watch the statement

Daniel Singh

R · H61

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker states that codifying de novo review would be a net benefit for Wyoming.

Public statementFloor statement at 4:11:07 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

2 roll calls

H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 7-1-1-0-02026-02-13 · House7 yes 1 no
Yes
7
No
1
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 7

Art WashutR · H36Daniel SinghR · H61Jayme LienR · H38Joe WebbR · H19Laurie BrattenR · H51Lee FilerR · H44Marlene BradyR · H60

No 1

Ken ChestekD · H13

Excused 1

Tom KellyR · H30
H Introduced and Referred to H01 - Judiciary 51-10-1-0-02026-02-10 · House51 yes 10 no
Yes
51
No
10
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 51

Abby AngelosR · H03Ann LucasR · H43Art WashutR · H36Bill AllemandR · H58Chip NeimanR · H01Christopher KnappR · H53Clarence StyvarR · H12Cody WylieR · H39Dalton BanksR · H26Daniel SinghR · H61Darin McCannR · H48Gary BrownR · H41Ivan PoseyD · H33J.R. RigginsR · H59J.T. LarsonR · H17JD WilliamsR · H02Jacob WasserburgerR · H11Jayme LienR · H38Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04Joe WebbR · H19Joel GuggenmosR · H55John BearR · H31John WinterR · H28Julie JarvisR · H57Justin FornstromR · H10Ken CloustonR · H32Ken PendergraftR · H29Kevin CampbellR · H62Landon BrownR · H09Laurie BrattenR · H51Lee FilerR · H44Lloyd LarsenR · H54Marilyn ConnollyR · H40Marlene BradyR · H60Martha LawleyR · H27Mike SchmidR · H20Mike YinD · H16Nina WebberR · H24Ocean AndrewR · H46Pam ThayerR · H15Paul HoeftR · H25Pepper OttmanR · H34Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50Reuben TarverR · H52Rob GeringerR · H42Robert WharffR · H49Scott HeinerR · H18Scott SmithR · H05Steve JohnsonR · H08Tomi StrockR · H06Tony LockeR · H35

No 10

Andrew ByronR · H22Bob DavisR · H47Bob NicholasR · H07Elissa CampbellR · H56Karlee ProvenzaD · H45Ken ChestekD · H13Liz StorerD · H23McKay EricksonR · H21Steve HarshmanR · H37Trey SherwoodD · H14

Excused 1

Tom KellyR · H30

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H COW:H Did not consider for COWHouse
  2. H Placed on General FileHouse
  3. H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 7-1-1-0-0House
  4. H Introduced and Referred to H01 - Judiciary 51-10-1-0-0House
  5. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  6. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

4 stored

HB0066HW001

Filed Committee of the Whole by Representative Chestek

HB0066HW002

Filed Committee of the Whole by Representative Chestek

HB0066HW003

Filed Committee of the Whole by Representative Chestek

HB0066HW004

Filed Committee of the Whole by Representative Chestek