Plain English: The amendment adds a new section to the resolution that allows the Wyoming legislature to decide how much money is needed for rural schools.
Adds a new section stating that the legislature can determine adequate funding levels for rural schools.
Updates the numbering of existing sections by changing 'Section 4.' to 'Section 5.'
Plain English: The amendment changes specific words in a resolution supporting rural schools in Wyoming.
Removes the word 'ranch' from line 5 on page 1.
Replaces 'equal' with 'equitable' at line 21 on page 2.
Adds the word 'public' after 'free' at line 22 on page 2.
Inserts new text after 'Wyoming' at line 17 on page 3, mentioning consultants for school finance recalibration.
The exact impact of these changes is not explained in the amendment text provided.
Bill History
2025-03-06Governor
Governor Signed HEJR No. 0002
2025-03-04Senate
S President Signed HEJR No. 0002
2025-03-04House
H Speaker Signed HEJR No. 0002
2025-03-03LSO
Assigned Number HEJR No. 0002
2025-03-03House
H Concur:Passed 60-0-2-0-0
2025-03-03House
H Received for Concurrence
2025-03-03Senate
S 3rd Reading:Passed 25-6-0-0-0
2025-02-28Senate
S 2nd Reading:Passed
2025-02-27Senate
S COW:Passed
2025-02-26Senate
S Placed on General File
2025-02-26Senate
S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
2025-02-19Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education
2025-02-06Senate
S Received for Introduction
2025-02-06House
H 3rd Reading:Passed 57-4-1-0-0
2025-02-05House
H 2nd Reading:Passed
2025-02-04House
H COW:Passed
2025-01-22House
H Placed on General File
2025-01-22House
H04 - Education:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
2025-01-21House
H Introduced and Referred to H04 - Education
2025-01-06House
H Received for Introduction
2025-01-02LSO
Bill Number Assigned
Official Summary Text
Bill Summary - 25LSO-0304
Bill No.:
HJ0003
Effective:
Immediately
LSO No.:
25LSO-0304
Enrolled Act No.:
HEJR No. 0002
Chapter No.:
N/A
Prime Sponsor:
Sherwood
Catch Title:
Support for rural schools.
Has Report:
No
Subject:
Support for rural schools.
Summary/Major Elements:
This joint resolution indicates the support of the Legislature for rural schools in Wyoming.
The joint resolution:
Makes findings related to access to education in Wyoming.
Acknowledges the historic use of rural schools in Wyoming and the need to support the establishment and maintenance of rural schools.
Provides for a commitment to ensure that rural and isolated families do not have to fight to gain access to education for their children and that providing a complete and uniform system of public instruction is in the public's best interest.
Specifies that nothing in the resolution will prevent the Legislature from determining adequate levels of funding for rural schools.
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.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
25LSO-0304
ORIGINAL House
ENGROSSED
JOINT RESOLUTION
.
HJ0003
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2025 General Session
A JOINT RESOLUTION in support of rural schools in Wyoming.
WHEREAS, rural schools in Wyoming have been integral to educating our children and are important for keeping rural families together, promoting social cohesion and preserving community identity; and
WHEREAS, our agriculture producers and ranchers play a key role in Wyoming's economy by feeding families, helping neighbors and preserving our heritage; and
WHEREAS, Article 7, Section 1 of Wyoming's constitution guarantees that all children in Wyoming have the right to a free public education, stating "The legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and uniform system of public instruction, embracing free elementary schools of every needed kind and grade, a university with such technical and professional departments as the public good may require and the means of the state allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary"; and
WHEREAS, The Wyoming Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the constitutional mandate to finance a high quality and equitable education for every Wyoming student; and
WHEREAS, Wyoming has fifteen (15) schools with three (3) rooms or less that educate one hundred two (102) students in grades K-8 throughout twelve (12) different school districts in Wyoming.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:
Section 1.
That the members of the Wyoming Legislature find that our constitution requires equitable access to education delivered from free public elementary schools, regardless of size and location.
Section 2.
That the members of the Wyoming Legislature acknowledge the rural nature of our state, the historic use of rural schools and the need to financially support the establishment and maintenance of rural schools in Wyoming.
Section 3.
That the members of the Wyoming Legislature commit to ensuring rural and isolated families do not have to fight to gain access to an education for their children and that keeping families together and providing them with a complete and uniform system of public instruction is in the public's best interest.
Section 4.
Nothing in this resolution shall prevent the Wyoming legislature from determining adequate levels of funding for rural schools.
Section 5.
That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the Department of Education for distribution to all school districts in Wyoming and to the consultants selected for the 2025 school finance recalibration.
(END)
Speaker of the House
President of the Senate
Governor
TIME APPROVED: _________
DATE APPROVED: _________
I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.
Chief Clerk
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