March 7, 2022 |
The Wyoming Legislature is down to the final week of the budget session, but they need more time. Hanging over their work is a looming showdown between the House and the Senate that might only be resolved by a special session.
As we reported on Friday, the Senate passed a radically different version of the statewide redistricting plan than the one that came out of the House. The Senate passed HB 100 on third reading Thursday after a series of amendments rewrote the House version to keep the legislature at its current size of 60 House members and 30 Senators. The House version calls for expanding the legislature to 62/31 combination. The competing versions must be reconciled. Speaker Eric Barlow convened a special meeting of House members to discuss the changes.
The two versions are miles apart. House version passed 54-6. So it’s likely the House will reject the Senate’s changes. If that happens, a conference committee with three members from each chamber will be formed to negotiate a compromise. If they fail, or if the compromise is rejected in a body, second conference committee would be formed.
If no agreement can be reached, a special session could be called.
Related: Redistricting drama headed for a showdown between Senate and House
Related: Lawmakers continue tug-of-war over 62/31 plan to expand legislature
