HB0283 amends Wyoming’s Second Amendment Protection Act and related governmental immunity provisions. The bill adds a new liability provision stating that a governmental entity is liable for damages resulting from a violation of W.S. 9-14-203, and it makes conforming changes to the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act. It also revises the core Second Amendment Protection Act language to further restrict the use of state and local personnel or funds to enforce certain federal laws, treaties, executive orders, rules, or regulations.
The bill appears designed to strengthen Wyoming’s limits on state cooperation with federal firearms-related enforcement. It preserves some ability for public officers to assist federal authorities in ways not specifically barred, and it clarifies that Wyoming entities are not prohibited from accepting federal enforcement of laws in the state. The act would take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB0283 would expand the legal consequences for governmental entities that violate Wyoming’s Second Amendment Protection Act by creating a damages remedy and an exception to the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act. It would also tighten statutory restrictions on the use of state and local resources for enforcing certain federal directives, while preserving limited cooperation with federal authorities. The bill affects state agencies, political subdivisions, public officers, and potentially plaintiffs seeking damages for alleged violations of the act.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or partisan division in the available materials. Based on the bill’s sponsorship and subject matter, the measure appears aligned with a pro-Second Amendment, anti-federal-overreach policy position. The text suggests a generally supportive posture toward stronger state-level firearm rights protections, but the absence of discussion records prevents a more specific assessment of sentiment.
Contention
The main points of contention likely involve the scope of state and local noncooperation with federal firearms enforcement, the creation of a damages remedy against governmental entities, and the new exception to governmental immunity. Supporters would likely favor stronger protections for gun rights and state sovereignty, while opponents may be concerned about limiting law enforcement flexibility, exposing governments to litigation, and creating conflicts with federal authorities. The bill also leaves some ambiguity about the precise reach of the enforcement restrictions because the provided text is partially truncated.