HB0134 creates a new state law prohibiting executive, legislative, and judicial branch agencies, as well as cities, counties, school districts, the University of Wyoming, and community colleges, from using state or federal funds, personnel, facilities, or equipment to sponsor or contribute to a “sexually explicit event.” The bill defines that term broadly to include shows, exhibitions, or presentations that lewdly or lasciviously depict or simulate nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, and it expressly states that drag queen events are included. It excludes age-appropriate sexual education instruction at the primary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels.
The bill also establishes a process for determining whether an event is sexually explicit. Upon request by an event sponsor, the relevant authority—such as the governor, a school board, a city council, a county commission, the University of Wyoming board of trustees, or the chief justice—must make a determination within 30 days. If the sponsor disagrees, the bill provides a 15-day appeal period and requires the appeal to be handled as a contested case under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
If public funds are found to have been used for a sexually explicit event, the recipient must repay the expended funds to the granting entity within 20 business days. The act would take effect July 1, 2025, and would add a new statutory article to Wyoming law governing the use of state and federal funds in connection with such events.
The bill appears to have received generally favorable treatment in the legislature, passing the House 53-7 after a unanimous 9-0 recommendation from the House Education Committee, and later receiving a 3-2 recommendation from the Senate Revenue Committee. That voting pattern suggests broad support overall, though not unanimity, and indicates the measure was viewed as a policy restriction on public spending rather than a major fiscal expansion.
The main point of contention is the breadth and application of the definition of “sexually explicit event,” especially the explicit inclusion of drag queen events and the delegation of determination authority to multiple government bodies. Supporters likely view the bill as a taxpayer-funds restriction and a safeguard against public sponsorship of sexually explicit performances, while opponents are likely concerned about viewpoint discrimination, vagueness, and the potential impact on expressive events and public institutions.
HB0134 would amend Wyoming law by creating a new article restricting the use of state and federal funds, personnel, facilities, and equipment for sponsoring or contributing to sexually explicit events. It would apply across state government, local governments, public schools, the University of Wyoming, and community colleges, and it would require repayment of improperly used funds. The bill also creates an administrative determination and appeal process under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, adding a new compliance and enforcement framework for public entities and event sponsors.
The legislative sentiment appears mostly supportive, with strong House approval and committee recommendations in both chambers. The House vote was decisive, and the committee votes show no serious resistance in the House Education Committee and only limited opposition in the Senate Revenue Committee. Overall, the bill seems to have been treated as a broadly acceptable restriction on public funding, though not without some dissent.
The most notable contention centers on the bill’s definition of “sexually explicit event,” which is broad and expressly includes drag queen events. Critics would likely argue that this language is overinclusive, potentially vague, and could chill protected expression or public programming. Another point of dispute is the authority given to government officials and boards to make event classifications, along with the appeal process and the requirement to repay funds, which could create administrative burdens and legal uncertainty for public institutions and event sponsors.