On Friday, March 3, the Wyoming legislature adjourned sine die, meaning the state’s fast and furious 37-day legislative session is over for 2023. The legislature passed and Gov. Mark Gordon signed the following sportsmen bills into law.
SF 106 authorizes distributions from the Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust income account for approved large projects. SF 106 did have some opposition in the Senate and House, but passed and was signed into law on February 27. This legislation takes effect immediately.
SF 116 protects Wyoming’s firearm industry from those who want to destroy the sporting community with crippling lawsuits against firearms manufacturers for the violent acts of third parties. The Senate and House unanimously passed SF 116 and was signed into law on March 2. SF 116 takes effect immediately.
SF 148 enhances Wyoming’s firearm preemption law which gives the state the sole authority to regulate firearms. This prevents counties and municipalities from passing conflicting local laws throughout the state. The Senate and House unanimously passed SF 148 and was signed into law on February 27. SF 148 takes effect immediately.
SF 169 creates a state shooting complex development and oversight task force. The Senate and House passed SF 169 with little opposition and was signed into law on March 2. SF 169 takes effect immediately.
SF 178 creates a mountain lion dog-training season. SF 178 passed the Senate and House with little opposition and was signed into law on February 27. SF 178 takes effect immediately and the Game and Fish Commission will announce necessary rules to implement this season by July 1, 2023.
HB 104 allows the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to establish rules and regulations for predator hunting with the use of artificial light, including thermal or infrared imaging. The House and Senate passed HB 104 with little opposition and was signed into law on February 24. HF 104 takes effect July 1, 2023.
HB 123 establishes a big game shed antler and horn season on public lands. HB 123 did have some opposition in the House and Senate, but passed and was signed into law on March 2. This legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023.
HB 147 prevents individuals from posting a sign restricting access or use of state or federal lands where hunting is permitted. The House and Senate passed HB 147 with little opposition and was signed into law on February 18. SF 169 takes effect on July 1, 2023.
HB 200 increases nonresident elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, bison, and grizzly bear hunting licenses. HB 200 did have some opposition in the House and Senate, but passed and was signed into law on March 2. This legislation takes effect on January 1, 2024.
HB 276 requires nonresidents to obtain a conservation stamp to collect big game shed antlers and horns on public lands. HB 276 did have some opposition in the House and Senate, but passed and was signed into law on March 2. This legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023.
Waiting for Governor’s consideration:
HB 74 creates the Wyoming outdoor recreation trust fund and income account. HB 74 did have some opposition in the House and Senate, but passed and is now waiting on Governor Gordon’s consideration.
Even though the 2023 legislative session is over the Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to monitor Wyoming activities as you never know when issues that sportsmen need to be aware of may pop up.
As always, you can check www.sportsmensalliance.org and follow us on social media for breaking updates. Sportsmen throughout the Equality State must stay actively involved to defend our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. Working together, we cannot lose!
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.