Wyoming’s legislative session moves fast and not always predictably. Think of this as your field notes from Cheyenne so you know what matters, what to watch, and when to speak up.
Scouting Report: Cheyenne Budget Session
Because success starts with good scouting
The 2026 Wyoming Budget Session opened like the first morning of Jackson shed antler season: crowded, competitive, and over before some folks even knew where to walk. A pile of bills appeared, many disappeared, and a two-thirds introduction vote left plenty in the dust.
We’re now at the halfway mark, so here’s the scouting report on what matters for wildlife, habitat, and sporting traditions.
In week one, hunters, anglers, and trappers showed up in force for our 9th annual Camo at the Capitol to learn how the process works and how their voices influence decisions about wildlife and habitat. It was a powerful day focused on advocacy, civic engagement, and making sure the people closest to wildlife help shape its future. You can find a full overview of the day here.
We’d love to get over 100 folks to the capitol next year: mark your calendars now for [date] and consider bringing your elk camp, angling buddies, or policy curious friends along with you next year!
Regular Bill Movement:
On the Senate side, the transferable tag bill was trampled in the day-one stampede, clearing the path for the rest of the week. A few solid wildlife bills squeaked through and remain alive, and one trophy-sized pro-public lands resolution entered the picture with a bang and continues to turn heads at the Capitol [link to our blog post on SJ0009 here].
The House side saw more disruption and slower progress. Several bills missed deadlines, others moved without the amendment time they probably needed, and uncertainty remains higher than usual as they continue working through the calendar.
Budget Bill Movement:
Both chambers started with mirror budget bills and that’s where the similarities ended.
The Senate moved early to restore funding the Joint Appropriations Committee had removed, including cheatgrass mitigation, wildfire prevention and recovery, and donated license costs (a welcome sight). They continue refining details in a fairly orderly process.
The House, however, has been locking antlers over amendments and cutting programs and dollars with less clarity, often debating well into the midnight hours. Tracking the budget bills feels like glassing two basins: one calm with elk feeding and the other blowing up like a cheatgrass-fueled wildfire.
A lot of legislation has died earlier than in past sessions, and the differences between the chambers raise real questions about how reconciliation will go. The good news is most wildlife and public lands bills cleared the early deadlines. The next hurdle is crossover.
Good outcomes don’t happen by accident. Please keep contacting your senators and representatives on the positive legislation (see our full bill breakdown below) — they need the momentum. You can find contact information for your senators and representatives here.
Until next time as Jerimiah Johnson says “keep your nose in the wind and your eyes along the skyline”.
Sincerely,
Jess Johnson
A severely sleep deprived and a little bit punchy
Government Affairs Director