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SF 174

Constitutional apportionment of legislators.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ed Cooper and 7 co-sponsors

The act directs an interim study to realign Wyoming legislative apportionment with the state constitution and 14th Amendment, aiming to guarantee per-county representation.

Assigned Chapter Number 156
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Bill Summary · SF 174

Summary — SF 174 (Enrolled Act No. 73 / Chapter 156, 2025)

Status: Enacted (Signed by Governor; Chapter No. 156 / Enrolled Act No. 73)
Introduced: Feb 3, 2025 — Governor signed: Mar 18, 2025 — Effective: immediately upon signature

Purpose

SF 174 directs the Wyoming Legislature to study and pursue legislative apportionment that conforms to the Wyoming Constitution (Article 3, §§3 and 48) and federal equal‑protection principles (14th Amendment). The bill expresses legislative findings that current practice since 1992 — permitting multi‑county legislative districts and districts that do not give each county at least one senator and one representative — departs from the state Constitution, and it directs a formal interim study to explore apportionment options consistent with both state and federal requirements.

Key provisions

  • Legislative findings summarizing constitutional requirements and relevant case law (Moore v. Harper; State ex rel. Whitehead v. Gage; Reynolds v. Sims).
  • Management Council must assign a legislative committee during the 2025 interim to study legislative apportionment under the principles set out in the act.
  • The assigned committee must:
    • Hold meetings in communities around Wyoming to solicit public and stakeholder input.
    • Report findings to the Legislature no later than December 1, 2025.
  • The committee or Management Council may introduce legislation during the 2026 budget session to constitutionally apportion the Legislature based on the study.
  • The act is effective immediately upon completion of the acts necessary to become law.

Who is affected

  • Wyoming Legislature (Management Council, assigned interim committee, and ultimately any committees drafting apportionment legislation).
  • Counties and Wyoming voters — future apportionment proposals could change how legislative districts are drawn and whether districts follow county lines and guarantee at least one senator and one representative per county.
  • Administrative/fiscal impact is expected to be minimal (see fiscal note).

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal note: No significant fiscal or personnel impact anticipated. Assumes Management Council will assign redistricting work to an existing standing committee and that funding for redistricting exists within the 2025–26 legislative budget.
  • Timeline:
    • Interim study period: 2025 legislative interim.
    • Committee report due: December 1, 2025.
    • Possible introduction of apportionment legislation: 2026 budget session.

Sponsors and legislative history

Primary sponsor: Senator Driskill. Cosponsors include Senators Cooper, Dockstader, Hicks, Laursen, Steinmetz and Representatives Wharff, Williams. Passed both chambers (Senate 30–0–1; House 54–6–2), attached at one point to HF 298 during session activity, and ultimately signed into law as SEA No. 0073 / Chapter 156.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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