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 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.

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 –

Sponsored / Co-Sponsored Bills:

Sponsored and co-sponsored bills are posted here under the Sponsored Bills Tab for the 2021 Legislative Session. I appreciate your input on Legislative issues as your Representative: If there are bills during the Legislative 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

Wyoming House and Senate Republicans Introduce Legislation to Protect State’s Coal Industry...see details…HB 207

PASSED