KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Wyoming

SJ0008 • 2026

School funding-legislative and executive authority.

A JOINT RESOLUTION to amend the Wyoming Constitution to specify that the amount of the appropriation for school funding shall not be subject to judicial review.

Education Elections
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Senator Laursen, D
Last action
2026-02-12
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2026

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the bill's text or summary, limiting detailed verification beyond what is explicitly stated.

School Funding Protection from Judicial Review

This resolution proposes changing the Wyoming Constitution to prevent courts from reviewing how much money is given for school funding, while allowing them to review if the funding formula follows state laws and rules.

What This Bill Does

  • Proposes an amendment to the Wyoming Constitution.
  • Specifies that the amount of money set aside for schools cannot be reviewed by judges.
  • Allows judges to review whether the funding formula complies with state laws.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Wyoming Legislature
  • Schools in Wyoming
  • Judges who might consider cases about school funding

Terms To Know

Constitutional amendment
A change to a state's main set of laws that needs special approval from voters.
Judicial review
When judges look at whether something follows the law or rules.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was not voted on by both houses of the legislature.
  • It is unclear how this change would affect current school funding cases in Wyoming.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-12 Senate

    S Failed Introduction 19-12-0-0-0

  2. 2026-02-11 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  3. 2026-02-10 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
26LSO-0465
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0465
Numbered
2.0

Senate Joint Resolution NO. SJ0008

School funding-legislative and executive authority.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Laursen, D, French, Ide, McKeown and Scott

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION to amend the Wyoming Constitution to specify that the amount of the appropriation for school funding shall not be subject to judicial review.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amend the Wyoming Constitution Article 7, Section 1 is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 7, Section 1.

Legislature to provide for public schools.

(a)

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.

(b)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, for the operating costs of the public schools, the legislature shall provide a formula for funding, and that formula shall be subject to judicial review for constitutional compliance. The legislature shall fund the formula by appropriation and the amount of this appropriation shall not be subject to judicial review. In the event the appropriation is insufficient to fund the spending provided by the formula for funding, the spending shall be reduced by a uniform percentage.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

This amendment would specify that, for the operating costs of the public schools, the legislature shall provide a formula for funding, and that formula shall be subject to judicial review for constitutional compliance. The amendment would also specify that legislature shall fund the formula by appropriation and the amount of this appropriation shall not be subject to judicial review.

(END)

1
SJ0008