During even-numbered years, the Wyoming legislature holds a budget session, where the only bills that can be considered are appropriations bills and bills that receive at least two-thirds support from the chamber of introduction. During the 2026 budget session, Wyoming legislators introduced 308 bills, of which 107 were enacted into law. Here are some featured highlights.
Failure to Repeal Carbon Capture Mandates:
For the second consecutive session, Wyoming failed to pass legislation that would repeal portfolio standards requirements for the Public Service Commission, as Republican support in the House clashed with opposition by Governor Gordon (R). HB 56, sponsored by Representative Christopher Knapp (R), overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 56-5, only to die in the Senate without committee consideration. When advocating for the bill, Representative Knapp (R) stated that when the standards were implemented in 2020, “we were looking at a very different situation… At that time, coal was in jeopardy and coal power plants were in jeopardy.” In response, a spokesperson for Governor Gordon (R) stated, “I'm always going to recommend that you just leave it alone. Don't repeal it. More than half of the states that we send coal to have low carbon standards for their power plants. They're not federal standards, they're state standards.”
Stablecoins:
A leader in the issue of stablecoins, Wyoming launched the Wyoming Stable Token in January 2026, the first issued by a U.S. state. The Wyoming state legislature took a step further by enacting SF 21, which permits the Wyoming Stable Token Commission to enter into agreements with other states to consult, coordinate, and facilitate the use of stablecoins. Alabama and Idaho have active bills that would expand stablecoin usage and permit the issuance of licenses to stablecoin issuers, while Florida’s SB 1565, which awaits gubernatorial approval, would establish its own Stablecoin Pilot Program with the ability to coordinate across state lines. When launching the Frontier Stable Token (FRNT), Governor Mark Gordon (R) said, “Wyoming is an innovation leader for our nation- from our core energy, agriculture, and tourism industries to education and beyond. Today, our embrace of digital assets further demonstrates the strength of our enterprise and provides our citizens, businesses, and the nation a cheaper, faster, and more transparent means of transacting. Importantly, FRNT provides another source of funding for our schools and can lower the taxpayer burden in our state.”
Budget:
The only constitutional requirement the Wyoming Legislature must meet during the even-numbered year session is passing a budget. On March 2, the legislature passed a $9.98 billion budget for the 2027-28 fiscal biennium. Appropriation items in the budget include:
- I. $7.5 million to the Wyoming Community College Commission for career and technical education programs, degrees, and certifications requiring two years of instruction or less for completion.
- II. $19.9 million to the Department of Health for provider rates for all providers serving persons with developmental, intellectual, or acquired brain injury-related disabilities.
- III. A prohibition on the use of appropriations for elective abortion for students or group health insurance providing elective abortion coverage at the University of Wyoming.
- IV. Over $875,000 for purchasing cloud services.
Additionally, the budget enacted a law prohibiting the Department of Health from expending any general funds, federal funds, or other funds under its control to pay for an abortion or a gender transition procedure, or to pay for facilities, equipment or training used to carry out an abortion or a gender transition procedure.
What’s Next:
All 62 seats in the House and 16 of the 31 seats in the Senate are up for election in November. In addition, incumbent Governor Mark Gordon (R) is term-limited. Wyoming’s legislative and gubernatorial primaries will take place on August 18, 2026. The three Republicans running to succeed Governor Gordon are state Senator and former Speaker of the Wyoming House Eric Barlow, Brent Bien, a retired US Marine Colonel and failed 2022 candidate, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.
The 2027 legislative session, during which legislators may consider non-budget bills without a heightened introduction threshold, will be convened on January 12, 2027. While Republicans are expected to hold the governorship and maintain near-unanimous control of both chambers of the legislature, the priorities of the legislature will be determined by whether the Freedom Caucus or establishment Republicans control both chambers.
To stay up to date on what will happen in the remaining state legislative sessions this year, reach out to Stateside discuss legislative monitoring and reporting options.
