Sponsored / Co-Sponsored Bills:

Sponsored and co-sponsored bills are posted here under the Sponsored Bills Tab for the 2026 Session. I appreciate your input on Legislative issues as your Representative: If there are bills during the Budget Sessions that are important to you, please let me know your thoughts and/or concerns. Contact me

Learn more about Cheri’s Sponsored Bills and Committees:
Senate District 03: Senator Cheri Steinmetz

Check in here for updates about the session and any news from the Wyoming Legislative Majority. More information will also be available on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wyolegmajority and on our blog at wyolegmajority.blogspot.com.

2026 Budget Session Recap: Key Legislation and Challenges for Wyoming Legislative Update from Senator Cheri Steinmetz

The Wyoming Legislature concluded its work for the 2026 Budget Session on March 11, when lawmakers returned to consider potential veto overrides. While several bills were vetoed by the governor, none of the vetoes were overridden by the Legislature, except for some of the line items on the budget bill. The governor’s budget was basically unaltered in the end with additions from the Legislature in funding for senior centers and developmental disability waivers.

This session was one of the most hectic legislative sessions I have been a part of. Throughout the session, numerous ancillary issues arose that complicated the legislative process and consumed a great deal of time and attention. Unfortunately, the Senate’s handling of the final day of Committee of the Whole was particularly disappointing. Rather than working through the final measures efficiently, the Senate took extended breaks and ultimately failed to address approximately 10 remaining bills before adjournment…read more

The Wyoming Legislature Citizen Guidebook is available on the Legislature’s Website. You are welcome to share this useful tool with your constituents as we approach the session. Hard copies of this guidebook will be available in the LSO as well as throughout the Jonah Business Center just prior to the legislative session. The guidebook can be viewed here: https://www.wyoleg.gov/docs/CitizenGuidebook.pdf.

Sponsored / Co-Sponsored Bills:

Sponsored and co-sponsored bills are posted here under the Sponsored Bills Tab for the 2025 Session. I appreciate your input on Legislative issues as your Representative: If there are bills during the Budget Sessions that are important to you, please let me know your thoughts and/or concerns. Contact me

Learn more about Cheri’s Sponsored Bills and Committees:
Senate District 03: Senator Cheri Steinmetz

Legislative Update from Senator Steinmetz – 2/23/2025
“Update on Senator Steinmetz’s Sponsored Legislation”

It is our job to represent the people. The Wyoming Constitution says it well in Article 1, Section 1: “All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness; for the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.”

Bold moves at the national level have set the stage for a transformative period in American history. President Trump has made headlines with his uncompromising approach to illegal immigration, the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a renewed focus on election integrity, and a vigorous opposition to expansive green energy programs reminiscent of the Green New Deal. These policies – designed to reassert national sovereignty and prioritize American interests – have sparked a broader debate about the proper balance between federal and local control. Energized by these bold measures, voters granted their elected representatives a mandate to act and follow through on promises of reform and accountability. …read more

Legislative Update from Senator Steinmetz – 2/10/2025
“Property Taxes and Crossover”

Today, I’d like to address two of the tax bills that seem to be the frontrunners in the property tax reduction discussion. The first one is HB0169. This bill has already passed the House and would be effective immediately in tax years 2025-2026 with a sunset in 2026. The exemption percentage would be 50 percent of the first $1 million of residential property. The bill excludes utilizing the long-term homeowner’s exemption, so a person could only use one or the other. HB169 is backfilled by $225 million – $125 million from the general fund, and $100 million from the Legislative Stabilization Account, or the Rainy-Day Fund. …read more

Legislative Update from Senator Steinmetz – 1/25/2025

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Legislature has taken significant steps in addressing key agricultural and consumer issues, with two critical bills passing the Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands, and Water Resources Committee. These bills, sponsored by Senator Cheri Steinmetz, reinforce Wyoming’s commitment to supporting its livestock industry and ensuring transparency for consumers purchasing U.S.A. beef…read more

Wyoming Supplemental Budget and Key Legislative Developments – 2/02/2025

CHEYENNE – The 2025 SF0001 Supplemental Budget Bill includes significant investments in fire mitigation and disaster response. The bill authorizes up to $30 million in borrowing from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA) to cover wildfire suppression costs, an increase from the previous $20 million authorization. Additionally, $10 million is appropriated to the Municipal Solid Waste Cease and Transfer Grant Account, supporting local governments’ needs for these grants. The Office of State Lands and Investments receives $40 million for county emergency suppression, with an additional $2.75 million allocated specifically for direct fire response, funding contract and seasonal firefighting staff. This funding is complemented by $4.82 million dedicated to the Department of Environmental Quality’s solid waste management efforts. …read more

Legislative Update from Senator Steinmetz — 2025 Session Priorities

CHEYENNE – The 2025 Wyoming legislative session convened on Tuesday, Jan. 14 with the swearing-in of new members. We started committee work on Wednesday before the State of the State address by the governor.
My legislative priorities include bills opposing Mandatory electronic livestock IDs, Advocating for country-of-origin labeling, Challenging CO2’s pollutant status, Illegal immigration, Defining health care and Defunding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. These proposals reflect my commitment to individual rights, agricultural interests, national security and conservative values. read more

• SF0064 – Wyoming Opposes Mandatory Electronic ID Devices-Livestock.
• SF0083 – Large energy project funding-legislative approval.
• SF0084 – Country of origin label-USA beef.
• SF0092 – Make carbon dioxide great again-no net zero.
• SF0103 – Terminating and defunding diversity, equity and inclusion.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM SENATOR STEINMETZ: PRE-SESSION REPORT

Now, more than ever, Wyoming needs strong leaders to advance the principles of liberty in our state and nation. Wyoming is uniquely positioned to lead the United States back to energy and agricultural dominance, to reject the woke agenda of the radical left and to strengthen traditional family values and virtue. I will be introducing legislation to address these issues and more. Stay tuned! I am committed to working with fellow legislators to govern Wyoming and turn the tide back to common-sense conservatism, which places value on the individual and the consent of the governed through transparency and accountability. There is no better place to call home than Wyoming. I am truly blessed, immensely thankful and fiercely devoted to protecting our citizens, our state and our way of life…read more

Sponsored / Co-Sponsored Bills:

Sponsored and co-sponsored bills are posted here under the Sponsored Bills Tab for the 2024 Budget Session. I appreciate your input on Legislative issues as your Representative: If there are bills during the Budget Sessions that are important to you, please let me know your thoughts and/or concerns. Contact me

Learn more about Cheri’s Sponsored Bills and Committees:
Senate District 03: Senator Cheri Steinmetz

Fiscal Accountability, Personal Liberties Are Priorities in Wyoming Senate

As the Wyoming Legislature approaches the end of the 67th Budget Session, legislators are working hard to reach a budget agreement. It’s been a tumultuous process. After joint deliberations, the Senate and House bills are still about $900 million apart, at the time of this writing. The gap owes to the House’s ask for some $362 million of increased spending, on top of the $10.8 billion initial budget proposal, and the Senate’s focus on reducing spending by more than $750 million.

...read more

Sponsored Bills:

SF0101 – Low-carbon energy standards-repeal
SF0102 – Foreign property ownership

Final Bill Summary 2024

..See Details

Sponsored / Co-Sponsored Bills:

Sponsored and co-sponsored bills are posted here under the Sponsored Bills Tab for the 2023 General Session. I appreciate your input on Legislative issues as your Representative: If there are bills during the Budget Sessions that are important to you, please let me know your thoughts and/or concerns. Contact me

Learn more about Cheri’s Sponsored Bills and Committees:
Senate District 03: Senator Cheri Steinmetz

Mon 1/16/2023

..Senator Steinmetz has sponsored the following senate files:

SF0103 Sales tax exemption-state legislators which allows state legislators on official business to be exempt from lodging tax. This file is designed to offset the need to increase legislative per diem in response to the increase in lodging tax.
SF0104 Property tax-mill levy adjustment which caps the property tax mill levy for counties, cities and school districts at the rate of the previous year plus inflation.
SF0105 Utilities-point of consumption and allocation agreements is a senate file designed to protect certificated service areas for public utilities and provide for a cooperative agreement process in order to keep rates stable and service reliable.
SF0137 Subdivisions-fencing requirements. – planning and zoning; requiring subdividers to construct and pay costs for perimeter fences as specified; specifying requirements for perimeter fences for subdivisions; specifying financial responsibility for maintaining perimeter fences; requiring the inclusion of perimeter fence information in subdivision permit applications; repealing conflicting provisions.
…see details
SF0143 Wyoming freedom scholarship act-2. – creating the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act; authorizing education savings accounts; specifying legal proceedings; creating an account; providing for a transfer of funds to the account; providing for the use and administration of education savings accounts for education; providing powers and duties of the state treasurer; providing rulemaking authority; specifying that a qualified school is not an agent of the state or federal government; establishing an oversight committee; making conforming amendments; authorizing a temporary committee as specified; providing an appropriation.
…see details
SF0177 Specifying additional beneficial uses of water. – Promoting obscenity-educational exception repeal. – relating to crimes and offenses; repealing an educational and library exception to the offense of promoting obscenity.
…see details

..January 10, 2023
Senator Steinmetz has sponsored the following senate files:

SF0103 Sales tax exemption-state legislators which allows state legislators on official business to be exempt from lodging tax. This file is designed to offset the need to increase legislative per diem in response to the increase in lodging tax.
SF0104 Property tax-mill levy adjustment which caps the property tax mill levy for counties, cities and school districts at the rate of the previous year plus inflation.
SF0105 Utilities-point of consumption and allocation agreements is a senate file designed to protect certificated service areas for public utilities and provide for a cooperative agreement process in order to keep rates stable and service reliable.
…see details
SF0137 Subdivisions-fencing requirements. – planning and zoning; requiring subdividers to construct and pay costs for perimeter fences as specified; specifying requirements for perimeter fences for subdivisions; specifying financial responsibility for maintaining perimeter fences; requiring the inclusion of perimeter fence information in subdivision permit applications; repealing conflicting provisions.
…see details
SF0143 Wyoming freedom scholarship act-2. – creating the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act; authorizing education savings accounts; specifying legal proceedings; creating an account; providing for a transfer of funds to the account; providing for the use and administration of education savings accounts for education; providing powers and duties of the state treasurer; providing rulemaking authority; specifying that a qualified school is not an agent of the state or federal government; establishing an oversight committee; making conforming amendments; authorizing a temporary committee as specified; providing an appropriation.
…see details
SF0177 Specifying additional beneficial uses of water. – Promoting obscenity-educational exception repeal. – relating to crimes and offenses; repealing an educational and library exception to the offense of promoting obscenity.
…see detailstails

Lingle-Fort Laramie High School Student Council and their sponsor Erin Estes – the workings of the legislature and policy issues.

2023 WYOMING LEGISLATURE GENERAL SESSION (FINAL)
Legislative Overview and Accomplishments

From Senator Cheri Steinmetz, Representative Scott Smith, and Representative Allen Slagle.  Legislative updates:

General Telephone Messages and Correspondence:
… Live Audio Broadcast (During Legislative Session)

If you would like to contact Cheri directly during the session, call the House Receptionist at (307) 777-7852 to leave a brief message for Cheri. Written mail may be directed to a Cheri in care of the Wyoming House, State Capitol, Cheyenne, WY, 82002. Fax messages may be sent to Cheri at (307) 777-5466.

• You may also contact Cheri by Email. This is one of the most effective ways to communicate with legislators, especially if you would like to provide more detailed information than is available through the various telephone services.

Voter Hotline:

During the legislative session, you can recommend a vote for or against a particular piece of legislation by calling the Voter Hotline. Other than recommending that a legislator vote for or against an identified bill, you cannot leave a general message for legislators through this service. While it is not possible to speak directly with Legislators on the Voter Hotline, the recommendations are quickly delivered to legislators. Please keep in mind that legislators consider a variety of factors when making decisions about how to vote on pending legislation. The Voter Hotline is a toll-free call within Wyoming at 1-866-996-8683. Local callers within the Cheyenne area should call 777-VOTE (777-8683). The Hotline is operational on days the Legislature is in session from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Bill Status Hotline:

You can call the Bill Status Information Service toll-free within Wyoming at 1-800-342-9570 to obtain the current status of any bill in the legislative process. This is a limited service that provides information about where the bill is in the process, but does not provide information about the details of the legislation. In addition, callers cannot leave messages for legislators at this telephone number. This service is available on days the Legislature is in session from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Hearing Impaired Service:

If you have a hearing impairment, call the toll-free Wyoming Relay Service for information on any bill. The number is 1-800-877-9965 for TDD or Text Telephones. Ask the Wyoming Relay Service operator to dial (307)-777-6185 to obtain the status on bills. This service is available to all Wyoming residents with hearing impairments.

Clearly, challenges lie ahead and we are equal to them. As a free people we have the responsibility to decide what kind of country we will live in, what society we will tolerate, and what legacy we will leave our children, grandchildren and all yet to come. As Americans we also have the ability to act upon those decisions. Has there ever been a better time to return to the roots of our Republic, defend our freedom, or unify as One Nation Under God?  Now is the time and we are the people. Like you, I want to make sure Wyoming remains a State where we defend the foundations on which our faith, freedom, and prosperity rest. Our children, our families, our way of life, and our State are worth fighting for.

The last four years have been trying. We have endured the Goshen Irrigation District (GID) tunnel collapse, a widespread drought, the COVID 19 worldwide pandemic, the impact of COVID mandates, the effects of bad policies coming out of Washington D.C., inflation, and increasing unrest in America and around the world.  In response we, as a community, have become more informed, more involved, and more concerned about the direction of our State and Country. 

Wyoming has held two special sessions: the first to appropriate the CARES Act funding, and the second to deal with the federal COVID vaccine mandate, along with increased committee work and the regularly scheduled sessions. In the latest session – the 2022 budget session – the Legislature dealt with the state budget, redistricting, and appropriation of the American Recovery and Prosperity Act (ARPA) funds.  In short, we have nearly become a full-time legislature due to the ramifications of the government response to COVID 19.  Could it be that we have had about all the “help” from the government that we can stand? We seem caught in a Groundhog Day cycle where each attempt to rectify a situation, like a game of dominoes, causes another unintended consequence for which someone will pay a price.  I trust we can solve our own problems when government functions in its proper role to protect life, liberty, and property.

My husband Corey and I have been fortunate to live in Goshen County for most of our lives. We have intentionally raised our family and built our businesses here among family, friends and neighbors.  We have a deep appreciation for the independent rural way of life, small communities and the land.  I thank all of you in Goshen, Niobrara and Weston Counties who placed your trust in me to serve in this office. My leadership, bill sponsorship, and voting record in the legislature reflect my commitment to God, the Constitution, traditional family values, private property rights, and fiscal responsibility. I will continue to hold these shared values and to be accessible, avaIlable, and accountable to you, my constituents. At this time, God willing, I will commit to serve for four more years should you choose to re-elect me. I will do my best to represent the entire District in a fair and consistent manner.  Should you wish to reach me directly, please email me at STEINMETZforSENATE@gmail.com, or call me on my mobile phone at (307) 534-5342.

Sponsored / Co-Sponsored Bills:

Sponsored and co-sponsored bills are posted here under the Sponsored Bills Tab for the 2022 Budget Session. I appreciate your input on Legislative issues as your Representative: If there are bills during the Budget Sessions that are important to you, please let me know your thoughts and/or concerns. Contact me

Learn more about Cheri’s Sponsored Bills and Committees:
Senate District 03: Senator Cheri Steinmetz

For Release               Immediately

Contact                     Senator Cheri E. Steinmetz

To Reach                    (307) 534-5342

Contact                     Representative JD Williams   Wyoming House District 2

To Reach                    (307) 340-6006

Steinmetz and Williams return to Cheyenne as Wyoming Legislature convenes 2022 Budget Session

CHEYENNE – Senator Cheri Steinmetz and Representative JD Williams will continue to work for their constituents at the 66th Wyoming Legislature, convening in a Joint Session of the Wyoming Senate and House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m.

“This session will prove to be very challenging as we deal with redistricting, the state budget and disbursement of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. All of these decisions will set the course of the state for the next decade,” Senator Steinmetz said. 

Representative Williams, who was appointed to House District 2 in 2021, is entering his first budget session after serving immediately upon appointment in the COVID mandate special session. 

“This session will be a great opportunity to learn about the state budget and work on issues important to my constituents,” Representative Williams said. “I plan to study the bills being presented intently, as I have decided to wait to sponsor legislation of my own due to the intensity of the session.”

Valentine’s Day will mark the first day of legislative proceedings of the 2022 Budget Session. At that time, Gov. Mark Gordon will deliver his State of the State message, followed by the State of the Judiciary message, delivered by Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Kate M. Fox.

Following the Joint Session, the bodies will hold opening ceremonies and begin introducing legislation in their respective chambers at 2 p.m. All floor proceedings and committee meetings during the 2022 Budget Session will be broadcast live via the Wyoming Legislature’s YouTube channel.

The Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC), on which Senator Cheri Steinmetz serves, recommends several differences from the Governor’s/Judicial budget plan. Regarding the budget, the difference is net $81.2 million more than the Governor’s recommendations: including $142.5 million appropriated for savings. The JAC also recommends $61.3 million less in appropriations intended to be expended.

“The Senate Appropriations Committee had a goal to save as much money as we possibly could from the ARPA funds. Roughly 20% of the revenue the State of Wyoming receives comes from our investment earnings. Savings in permeant funds translates into perpetual earnings in the years to come and decreases the push by some to raise taxes in the future. The State of Wyoming is flush with money right now.  It is no time to increase taxes on our citizens,” Steinmetz explained.

The second goal of the Senate Appropriations Committee was to fund infrastructure projects.   We have allocated $100 million to be dispersed by the State Land and Investment Board (SLIB) for local infrastructure projects.”

The Governor’s/Judicial total recommendations are at $2.8 billion; whereas the JAC’s total recommendations are $2.874 billion. Major differences in the JAC recommendations include: $142.5 million more in savings (compared to the Governor’s recommendations); $7 million more in revenue transfer through the Mineral Royalty Grant program; and net $61 million less in net spending.

“Due to the heavy workload of the appropriations committee, I am only running one bill as the prime sponsor which limits private funds in conducting elections,” Senator Steinmetz said. “Secretary of State Buchanan has been a proponent of the bill, which is designed to insure election integrity. I will have a later update with more bills of interest as session moves along.

“Redistricting is one of the main issues we will be dealing with this session. Unfortunately, the Joint Corporations Committee has adopted a redistricting plan that grows government and dilutes the rural vote. They have added three legislative seats which result in 62 Representatives and 31 Senators. This session will definitely be one to keep an eye on,” said Senator Steinmetz.

Questions regarding the 2022 Joint Session should be directed to Ryan Frost at the Legislative Service Office at (307) 777-7881, and questions regarding Gov. Gordon’s State of the State address should be directed to Michael Pearlman at (307) 777-7434. To follow online go to wyoleg.gov.

About Senator Cheri Steinmetz:

Senator Steinmetz represents Goshen, Niobrara, and Weston counties. She is a member of the Appropriations Committee and previously served on the following Senate committees: Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources; Transportation, Highways, & Military Affairs; and the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process. She began serving in the Wyoming State Senate in 2019. Previously, Senator Steinmetz represented House District 5 from 2015 to 2018.  More information may be found at wyoleg.gov.

About Representative JD Williams:

Representative Williams represents Wyoming House District 2, comprised of northern Goshen, Niobrara, and southern Weston counties.  He is a member of the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee.  He was appointed in 2021 to fill the House District 2 vacancy left by the Honorable Hans Hunt.  More information may be found at wyoleg.gov.

– End –