Wyoming Legislature will convene for one-day virtual session, hope to hold in-person session in March

Due to COVID-19 concerns the 66th Wyoming Legislature will convene at noon on Jan. 12, for a one-day virtual session to fulfill the requirements of the Wyoming Constitution. 

Members of the 66th Legislature are being sworn in this week, which can be viewed on the Wyoming Legislature’s YouTube page here. Swearing in ceremonies will also take place the morning of Jan. 12, prior to the Call to Order.

During an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, House District 29 Rep. Mark Kinner told listeners the schedule that will be followed by Wyoming’s lawmakers for the brief virtual session.  

Committees will continue to work through various bills and prepare them to go before the legislators should an in-person session convene sometime in March. 

The change in this year’s schedule will allow lawmakers to continue working while following Centers for Disease Control Guidelines. 

According to Kinner, should the situation not permit an in person session by the March timeframe, lawmakers will meet virtually for approximately two to three weeks. During that time legislators will address the supplemental budget and the committee bills. Remaining bills will be addressed when the legislators are able to convene an in-person session at a later date that has yet to be determined.  

During the virtual convening of the 2021 General Session, the Legislature will address all necessary business in accordance with the Wyoming Constitution, including but not limited to the election of legislative leadership, adopting rules for the 66th Legislature and receiving a message from Gordon.

A video livestream of the House and Senate proceedings will be available on the Legislature’s website at: www.wyoleg.gov. Gordon’s message will be livestreamed separately on Wyoming PBS’s YouTube channel at 2 p.m. 

Members of the public are encouraged to view the proceedings online. The public may contact members of the Legislature directly using the contact information available on the Legislature’s website at: www.wyoleg.gov/Legislators.