Constitution
of the
State of Wyoming
Includes All Amendments Through November 16, 2022.
The Constitution of the State of Wyoming was adopted in Convention
at Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 30, 1889 and ratified by the
people of Wyoming on November 5, 1889.
Published by:
Chuck Gray, Secretary of State
Wyoming Secretary of State
Herschler Building East
Suites 100 and 101
122 West 25
th
Street
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002
Ph. (307) 777-5860
E-mail: electio[email protected]
Website: https://sos.wyo.gov
This publication is available in alternate formats upon request.
Table of Contents
PREAMBLE ...................................................................................... 5
ARTICLE 1: Declaration of Rights ................................................... 5
ARTICLE 2: Distribution of Powers ............................................... 10
ARTICLE 3: Legislative Department ............................................. 10
ARTICLE 4: Executive Department ............................................... 22
ARTICLE 5: Judicial Department ................................................... 25
ARTICLE 6: Suffrage and Elections ............................................... 33
ARTICLE 7: Education; State Institutions; Promotion of Health
and Morals; Public Buildings .......................................................... 37
ARTICLE 8: Irrigation and Water Rights ....................................... 41
ARTICLE 9: Mines and Mining ..................................................... 42
ARTICLE 10: Corporations ............................................................ 43
ARTICLE 11: Boundaries ............................................................... 47
ARTICLE 12: County Organization ............................................... 47
ARTICLE 13: Municipal Corporations ........................................... 48
ARTICLE 14: Public Officers ......................................................... 50
ARTICLE 15: Taxation and Revenue ............................................. 51
ARTICLE 16: Public Indebtedness ................................................. 56
ARTICLE 17: State Militia ............................................................. 61
ARTICLE 18: Public Lands and Donations .................................... 61
ARTICLE 19: Miscellaneous .......................................................... 63
ARTICLE 20: Amendments ............................................................ 65
ARTICLE 21: Schedule .................................................................. 66
THE GREAT SEAL
OF THE
STATE OF WYOMING
The two dates on the Great Seal, 1869 and 1890, commemorate the
organization of the Territorial government and Wyoming’s admission into
the Union.
The woman in the center holds a banner proclaiming “Equal Rights,”
symbolizing Wyoming as the first state to grant equal civil and political
rights to women. The male figures typify the livestock and mining industries
of the state.
Upon a five-pointed star the number “44” appears, being the number of
admission into the Union. On top of the pillars rest lamps from which burn
the Light of Knowledge. Scrolls encircling the two pillars bear the words
“Oil,” “Mines,” “Livestock” and “Grain,” four of Wyoming’s major industries.
CONSTITUTION
of the
STATE OF WYOMING
(The boldface type at the beginning of each section is not part of the constitution.)
PREAMBLE
We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil,
political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and
perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
ARTICLE 1
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Sec. 1. Power inherent in the people. All power is inherent in the
people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and
instituted for their peace, safety and happiness; for the advancement of these
ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter,
reform or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.
Sec. 2. Equality of all. In their inherent right to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal.
Sec. 3. Equal political rights. Since equality in the enjoyment of
natural and civil rights is only made sure through political equality, the laws
of this state affecting the political rights and privileges of its citizens shall be
without distinction of race, color, sex, or any circumstance or condition
whatsoever other than individual incompetency, or unworthiness duly
ascertained by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 4. Security against search and seizure. The right of the
people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrant shall
issue but upon probable cause, supported by affidavit, particularly describing
the place to be searched or the person or thing to be seized.
Sec. 5. Imprisonment for debt. No person shall be imprisoned for
debt, except in cases of fraud.
ARTICLE 1
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Sec. 6. Due process of law. No person shall be deprived of life,
liberty or property without due process of law.
Sec. 7. No absolute, arbitrary power. Absolute, arbitrary power
over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic,
not even in the largest majority.
Sec. 8. Courts open to all; suits against state. All courts shall be
open and every person for an injury done to person, reputation or property
shall have justice administered without sale, denial or delay. Suits may be
brought against the state in such manner and in such courts as the legislature
may by law direct.
Sec. 9. Trial by jury inviolate. The right of trial by jury shall
remain inviolate in criminal cases. A jury in civil cases and in criminal cases
where the charge is a misdemeanor may consist of less than twelve (12)
persons but not less than six (6), as may be prescribed by law. A grand jury
may consist of twelve (12) persons, any nine (9) of whom concurring may
find an indictment. The legislature may change, regulate or abolish the grand
jury system.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1980 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1980, and proclaimed in
effect on November 14, 1980.
Sec. 10. Right of accused to defend. In all criminal prosecutions
the accused shall have the right to defend in person and by counsel, to
demand the nature and cause of the accusation, to have a copy thereof, to be
confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process
served for obtaining witnesses, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of
the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.
When the location of the offense cannot be established with certainty, venue
may be placed in the county or district where the corpus delecti [delicti] is
found, or in any county or district in which the victim was transported.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1975 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1976, and proclaimed in
effect on November 23, 1976.
Sec. 11. Self-incrimination; jeopardy. No person shall be
compelled to testify against himself in any criminal case, nor shall any
person be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense. If a jury disagree, or if
the judgment be arrested after a verdict, or if the judgment be reversed for
error in law, the accused shall not be deemed to have been in jeopardy.
Sec. 12. Detaining witnesses. No person shall be detained as a
witness in any criminal prosecution longer than may be necessary to take his
ARTICLE 1
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testimony or deposition, nor be confined in any room where criminals are
imprisoned.
Sec. 13. Indictment. Until otherwise provided by law, no person
shall, for a felony, be proceeded against criminally, otherwise than by
indictment, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia
when in actual service in time of war or public danger.
Sec. 14. Bail; cruel and unusual punishment. All persons shall be
bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is
evident or the presumption great. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor shall cruel or unusual punishment be inflicted.
Sec. 15. Penal code to be humane. The penal code shall be framed
on the humane principles of reformation and prevention.
Sec. 16. Conduct of jails. No person arrested and confined in jail
shall be treated with unnecessary rigor. The erection of safe and comfortable
prisons, and inspection of prisons, and the humane treatment of prisoners
shall be provided for.
Sec. 17. Habeas corpus. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
shall not be suspended unless, when in case of rebellion or invasion the
public safety may require it.
Sec. 18. Religious liberty. The free exercise and enjoyment of
religious profession and worship without discrimination or preference shall
be forever guaranteed in this state, and no person shall be rendered
incompetent to hold any office of trust or profit, or to serve as a witness or
juror, because of his opinion on any matter of religious belief whatever; but
the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to
excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace
or safety of the state.
Sec. 19. Appropriations for sectarian or religious societies or
institutions prohibited. No money of the state shall ever be given or
appropriated to any sectarian or religious society or institution.
Sec. 20. Freedom of speech and press; libel; truth a defense.
Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being
responsible for the abuse of that right; and in all trials for libel, both civil and
criminal, the truth, when published with good intent and [for] justifiable
ends, shall be a sufficient defense, the jury having the right to determine the
facts and the law, under direction of the court.
ARTICLE 1
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Sec. 21. Right of petition and peaceable assembly. The right of
petition, and of the people peaceably to assemble to consult for the common
good, and to make known their opinions, shall never be denied or abridged.
Sec. 22. Protection of labor. The rights of labor shall have just
protection through laws calculated to secure to the laborer proper rewards
for his service and to promote the industrial welfare of the state.
Sec. 23. Education. The right of the citizens to opportunities for
education should have practical recognition. The legislature shall suitably
encourage means and agencies calculated to advance the sciences and liberal
arts.
Sec. 24. Right to bear arms. The right of citizens to bear arms in
defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied.
Sec. 25. Military subordinate to civil power; quartering
soldiers. The military shall ever be in strict subordination to the civil power.
No soldier in time of peace shall be quartered in any house without consent
of the owner, nor in time of war except in the manner prescribed by law.
Sec. 26. Treason. Treason against the state shall consist only in
levying war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, or in giving them aid
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony
of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court; nor
shall any person be attained of treason by the legislature.
Sec. 27. Elections free and equal. Elections shall be open, free and
equal, and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent
an untrammeled exercise of the right of suffrage.
Sec. 28. Taxation; consent of people; uniformity and equality.
No tax shall be imposed without the consent of the people or their authorized
representatives.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1988 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1988, and proclaimed in
effect on November 21, 1988.
Sec. 29. Rights of aliens. No distinction shall ever be made by law
between resident aliens and citizens as to the possession, taxation, enjoyment
and descent of property.
Sec. 30. Monopolies and perpetuities prohibited. Perpetuities
and monopolies are contrary to the genius of a free state, and shall not be
ARTICLE 1
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allowed. Corporations being creatures of the state, endowed for the public
good with a portion of its sovereign powers, must be subject to its control.
Sec. 31. Control of water. Water being essential to industrial
prosperity, of limited amount, and easy of diversion from its natural
channels, its control must be in the state, which, in providing for its use, shall
equally guard all the various interests involved.
Sec 32. Eminent domain. Private property shall not be taken for
private use unless by consent of the owner, except for private ways of
necessity, and for reservoirs, drains, flumes or ditches on or across the lands
of others for agricultural, mining, milling, domestic or sanitary purposes, nor
in any case without due compensation.
Sec. 33. Compensation for property taken. Private property shall
not be taken or damaged for public or private use without just compensation.
Sec. 34. Uniform operation of general law. All laws of a general
nature shall have a uniform operation.
Sec. 35. Ex post facto laws; impairing obligation of contracts.
No ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall
ever be made.
Sec. 36. Rights not enumerated reserved to people. The
enumeration in this constitution, of certain rights shall not be construed to
deny, impair, or disparage others retained by the people.
Sec. 37. Constitution of United States supreme law of land. The
State of Wyoming is an inseparable part of the federal union, and the
constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.
Sec. 38. Right of health care access.
(a) Each competent adult shall have the right to make his or her
own health care decisions. The parent, guardian or legal representative of
any other natural person shall have the right to make health care decisions
for that person.
(b) Any person may pay, and a health care provider may accept,
direct payment for health care without imposition of penalties or fines for
doing so.
(c) The legislature may determine reasonable and necessary
restrictions on the rights granted under this section to protect the health and
general welfare of the people or to accomplish the other purposes set forth in
the Wyoming Constitution.
ARTICLE 2
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(d) The state of Wyoming shall act to preserve these rights from
undue governmental infringement.
Sec. 39. Opportunity to hunt, fish and trap. The opportunity to
fish, hunt and trap wildlife is a heritage that shall forever be preserved to the
individual citizens of the state, subject to regulation as prescribed by law,
and does not create a right to trespass on private property, diminish other
private rights or alter the duty of the state to manage wildlife.
ARTICLE 2
DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS
Sec. 1. Powers of government divided into three departments.
The powers of the government of this state are divided into three distinct
departments: The legislative, executive and judicial, and no person or
collection of persons charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging
to one of these departments shall exercise any powers properly belonging to
either of the others, except as in this constitution expressly directed or
permitted.
ARTICLE 3
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Sec. 1. Composition and name of legislature. The legislative
power shall be vested in a senate and house of representatives, which shall
be designated "the legislature of the State of Wyoming."
Sec. 2. Members' terms and qualifications. Senators shall be
elected for the term of four (4) years and representatives for the term of two
(2) years. The senators elected at the first election shall be divided by lot into
two classes as nearly equal as may be. The seats of senators of the first class
shall be vacated at the expiration of the first two years, and of the second
class at the expiration of four years. No person shall be a senator who has
not attained the age of twenty-five years, or a representative who has not
attained the age of twenty-one years, and who is not a citizen of the United
States and of this state and who has not, for at least twelve months next
preceding his election resided within the county or district in which he was
elected.
Sec. 3. Legislative apportionment. Each county shall constitute a
senatorial and representative district; the senate and house of representatives
shall be composed of members elected by the legal voters of the counties
respectively, every two (2) years. They shall be apportioned among the said
ARTICLE 3
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counties as nearly as may be according to the number of their inhabitants.
Each county shall have at least one senator and one representative; but at no
time shall the number of members of the house of representatives be less
than twice nor greater than three times the number of members of the senate.
The senate and house of representatives first elected in pursuance of this
constitution shall consist of sixteen and thirty-three members respectively.
This section is inconsistent with the application of the “one person, one vote” prin-
ciple under circumstances as they presently exist in Wyoming. Consequently, the Wyoming
legislature may disregard this provision when reapportioning either the senate or the house of
representatives.
Sec. 4. Vacancies. [Repealed.]
This section was repealed by a resolution adopted by the 1947 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people on November 2, 1948, and proclaimed in effect on December 1, 1948.
See Art. 3, Sec. 51 for the present constitutional provisions on filling vacancies.
Sec. 5. When members elected and terms begin. Members of the
senate and house of representatives shall be elected on the day provided by
law for the general election of a member of congress, and their term of office
shall begin on the first Monday of January thereafter.
Sec. 6. Compensation of members; duration of sessions. The
legislature shall not meet for more than sixty (60) legislative working days
excluding Sundays during the term for which members of the house of
representatives are elected, except when called into special session. The
legislature shall determine by statute the number of days not to exceed sixty
(60) legislative working days to be devoted to general and budget session,
respectively. The legislature shall meet on odd-numbered years for a general
and budget session. The legislature may meet on even-numbered years for
budget session. During the budget session no bills except the budget bill may
be introduced unless placed on call by a two-thirds vote of either house. The
legislature shall meet for no more than forty (40) legislative working days
excluding Sundays in any (1) calendar year, except when called into special
session. The compensation of the members of the legislature shall be as
provided by law; but no legislature shall fix its own compensation.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1971 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1972, and proclaimed in
effect on December 12, 1972.
Sec. 7. Time and place of sessions.
(a) The legislature shall meet at the seat of government at twelve
o'clock noon, on the second Tuesday of January of the odd-numbered years
for general and budget session and may meet on the second Tuesday of
January of the even-numbered years for budget session, and at other times
when convened by the governor or upon call of the legislature as herein
provided. The governor by proclamation may also, in times of war or grave
emergency by law defined, temporarily convene the legislature at a place or
ARTICLE 3
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places other than the seat of government. The legislature may convene a
special session not to last longer than twenty (20) working days as follows:
(i) Upon written request to the presiding officer of each
house of the legislature by a majority of the elected members of
each house, the legislature shall convene in special session; or
(ii) The presiding officers of each house shall also jointly
call a special session for the purpose of resolving a challenge or a
dispute of any kind in the determination of the presidential electors.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1961 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1962. The 1962 amendment
added the second sentence to this section.
This section was amended again by a resolution adopted by the 1971 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1972, and
proclaimed in effect on December 12, 1972.
This section was amended again by a resolution adopted by the 2001 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 2002 and proclaimed
in effect on November 13, 2002.
Sec. 8. Members disqualified for other office. No senator or
representative shall, during the term for which he was elected, be appointed
to any civil office under the state, and no member of congress or other person
holding an office (except that of notary public or an office in the militia)
under the United States or this state, shall be a member of either house during
his continuance in office.
Sec. 9. Compensation not to be increased during term. No
member of either house shall, during the term for which he was elected,
receive any increase of salary or mileage under any law passed during that
term.
Sec. 10. Presiding officers; other officers; each house to judge
of election and qualifications of its members. The senate shall, at the
beginning and close of each regular session and at such other times as may
be necessary, elect one of its members president; the house of representatives
shall elect one of its members speaker; each house shall choose its other
officers, and shall judge of the election returns and qualifications of its
members.
Sec. 11. Quorum. A majority of each house shall constitute a
quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day,
and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such
penalties as each house may prescribe.
Sec. 12. Rules, punishment and protection. Each house shall have
power to determine the rules of its proceedings, and [to] punish its members
or other persons for contempt or disorderly behavior in its presence; to
protect its members against violence or offers of bribes or private
ARTICLE 3
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solicitation, and with the concurrence of two-thirds, to expel a member, and
shall have all other powers necessary to the legislature of a free state. A
member expelled for corruption shall not thereafter be eligible to either
house of the legislature, and punishment for contempt or disorderly behavior
shall not bar a criminal prosecution for the same offense.
Sec. 13. Journals. Each house shall keep a journal of its
proceedings and may, in its discretion, from time to time, publish the same,
except such parts as require secrecy, and the yeas and nays on any question,
shall, at the request of any two members, be entered on the journal.
Sec. 14. Sessions to be open. The sessions of each house and of the
committee of the whole shall be open unless the business is such as requires
secrecy.
Sec. 15. Adjournment. Neither house shall, without the consent of
the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that
in which the two houses shall be sitting.
Sec. 16. Privilege of members. The members of the legislature
shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, violation of their oath of office and
breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the
sessions of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the
same; and for any speech or debate in either house they shall not be
questioned in any other place.
Sec. 17. Power of impeachment; proceedings. The sole power of
impeachment shall vest in the house of representatives; the concurrence of a
majority of all the members being necessary to the exercise thereof.
Impeachment shall be tried by the senate sitting for that purpose, and the
senators shall be upon oath or affirmation to do justice according to law and
evidence. When the governor is on trial, the chief justice of the supreme court
shall preside. No person shall be convicted without a concurrence of two-
thirds of the senators elected.
Sec. 18. Who may be impeached. The governor and other state and
judicial officers except justices of the peace, shall be liable to impeachment
for high crimes and misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office, but judgment
in such cases shall only extend to removal from office and disqualification
to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under the laws of the state. The
party, whether convicted or acquitted, shall, nevertheless, be liable to
prosecution, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.
Sec. 19. Removal of officers not subject to impeachment. Except
as hereafter provided, all officers not liable to impeachment shall be subject
ARTICLE 3
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to removal for misconduct or malfeasance in office as provided by law. Any
person appointed by the governor to serve as head of a state agency, or
division thereof, or to serve as a member of a state board or commission,
may be removed by the governor as provided by law.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1985 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1986, and proclaimed in
effect on November 18, 1986.
Sec. 20. Laws to be passed by bill; alteration or amendment of
bills. No law shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall be so altered or
amended on its passage through either house as to change its original
purpose.
Sec. 21. Enacting clause of law. The enacting clause of every law
shall be as follows: "Be it Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming."
Sec. 22. Limitation on time for introducing bill for
appropriation. No bill for the appropriation of money, except for the
expenses of the government, shall be introduced within five (5) days of the
close of the session, except by unanimous consent of the house in which it is
sought to be introduced.
Sec. 23. Bill must go to committee. No bill shall be considered or
become a law unless referred to a committee, returned therefrom and printed
for the use of the members.
Sec. 24. Bill to contain only one subject, which shall be
expressed in title. No bill, except general appropriation bills and bills for
the codification and general revision of the laws, shall be passed containing
more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title; but if any
subject is embraced in any act which is not expressed in the title, such act
shall be void only as to so much thereof as shall not be so expressed.
Sec. 25. Vote required to pass bill. No bill shall become a law
except by a vote of a majority of all the members elected to each house, nor
unless on its final passage the vote taken by ayes and noes, and the names of
those voting be entered on the journal.
Sec. 26. How laws revised, amended or extended. No law shall
be revised or amended, or the provisions thereof extended by reference to its
title only, but so much thereof as is revised, amended, or extended, shall be
re-enacted and published at length.
ARTICLE 3
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Sec. 27. Special and local laws prohibited. The legislature shall
not pass local or special laws in any of the following enumerated cases, that
is to say: For granting divorces; laying out, opening, altering or working
roads or highways; vacating roads, town plats, streets, alleys or public
grounds; locating or changing county seats; regulating county or township
affairs; incorporation of cities, towns or villages; or changing or amending
the charters of any cities, towns or villages; regulating the practice in courts
of justice; regulating the jurisdiction and duties of justices of the peace,
police magistrates or constables; changing the rules of evidence in any trial
or inquiry; providing for changes of venue in civil or criminal cases;
declaring any person of age; for limitation of civil actions; giving effect to
any informal or invalid deeds; summoning or impaneling grand or petit
juries; providing for the management of common schools; regulating the rate
of interest on money; the opening or conducting of any election or
designating the place of voting; the sale or mortgage of real estate belonging
to minors or others under disability; chartering or licensing ferries or bridges
or toll roads; chartering banks, insurance companies and loan and trust
companies; remitting fines, penalties or forfeitures; creating[,] increasing, or
decreasing fees, percentages or allowances of public officers; changing the
law of descent; granting to any corporation, association or individual, the
right to lay down railroad tracks, or any special or exclusive privilege,
immunity or franchise whatever, or amending existing charter for such
purpose; for punishment of crimes; changing the names of persons or places;
for the assessment or collection of taxes; affecting estates of deceased
persons, minors or others under legal disabilities; extending the time for the
collection of taxes; refunding money paid into the state treasury,
relinquishing or extinguishing, in whole or part, the indebtedness, liabilities
or obligation of any corporation or person to this state or to any municipal
corporation therein; exempting property from taxation; restoring to
citizenship persons convicted of infamous crimes; authorizing the creation,
extension or impairing of liens; creating offices or prescribing the powers or
duties of officers in counties, cities, townships or school districts; or
authorizing the adoption or legitimation of children. In all other cases where
a general law can be made applicable no special law shall be enacted.
Sec. 28. Signing of bills. The presiding officer of each house shall,
in the presence of the house over which he presides, sign all bills and joint
resolutions passed by the legislature immediately after their titles have been
publicly read, and the fact of signing shall be at once entered upon the
journal.
Sec. 29. Legislative employees. The legislature shall prescribe by
law the number, duties and compensation of the officers and employes of
each house, and no payment shall be made from the state treasury, or be in
ARTICLE 3
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any way authorized to any such person except to an acting officer or employe
elected or appointed in pursuance of law.
Sec. 30. Extra compensation to public officers prohibited. No
bill shall be passed giving any extra compensation to any public officer,
servant or employe, agent or contractor, after services are rendered or
contract made.
Sec. 31. Supplies for legislature and departments. All stationery,
printing, paper, fuel and lights used in the legislature and other departments
of government shall be furnished, and the printing and binding of the laws,
journals and department reports and other printing and binding, and the
repairing and furnishing the halls and rooms used for the meeting of the
legislature and its committees shall be performed under contract, to be given
to the lowest responsible bidder, below such maximum price and under such
regulations as may be prescribed by law. No member or officer of any
department of the government shall be in any way interested in any such
contract; and all such contracts shall be subject to the approval of the
governor and state treasurer.
Sec. 32. Changing terms and salaries of public officers. Except
as otherwise provided in this constitution, no law shall extend the term of
any public officer or increase or diminish his salary or emolument after his
election or appointment; but this shall not be construed to forbid the
legislature from fixing salaries or emoluments of those officers first elected
or appointed under this constitution, if such salaries or emoluments are not
fixed by its provisions.
Sec. 33. Origin of revenue bills. All bills for raising revenue shall
originate in the house of representatives; but the senate may propose
amendments, as in case of other bills.
Sec. 34. General appropriation bills; other appropriations. The
general appropriation bills shall embrace nothing but appropriations for the
ordinary expenses of the legislative, executive and judicial departments of
the state, interest on the public debt, and for public schools. All other
appropriations shall be made by separate bills, each embracing but one
subject.
Sec. 35. Money expended only on appropriation. Except for
interest on public debt, money shall be paid out of the treasury only on
appropriations made by the legislature, and in no case otherwise than upon
warrant drawn by the proper officer in pursuance of law.
ARTICLE 3
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Sec. 36. Prohibited appropriations. No appropriation shall be
made for charitable, industrial, educational or benevolent purposes to any
person, corporation or community not under the absolute control of the state,
nor to any denominational or sectarian institution or association.
Sec. 37. Delegation of power to perform municipal functions
prohibited. The legislature shall not delegate to any special commissioner,
private corporation or association, any power to make, supervise or interfere
with any municipal improvements, moneys, property or effects, whether held
in trust or otherwise, to levy taxes, or to perform any municipal functions
whatever.
Sec. 38. Investment of trust funds. The legislature may authorize
the investment of trust funds by executors, administrators, guardians or
trustees, in the bonds or stocks of private corporations, and in such other
securities as it may by law provide.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1965 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1966, and proclaimed in
effect on January 17, 1967.
Sec. 39. Aid to railroads prohibited. The legislature shall have no
power to pass any law authorizing the state or any county in the state to
contract any debt or obligation in the construction of any railroad, or give or
loan its credit to or in aid of the construction of the same.
Sec. 40. Debts to state or municipal corporation cannot be
released unless otherwise prescribed by legislature. No obligation or
liability of any person, association or corporation held or owned by the state
or any municipal corporation therein shall ever be exchanged, transferred,
remitted, released, postponed or in any way diminished except as may be
prescribed by the legislature. The liability or obligation shall not be
extinguished except by payment into the proper treasury or as may otherwise
be prescribed by the legislature in cases where the obligation or liability is
not collectible.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1983 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1984, and proclaimed in
effect on November 14, 1984.
Sec. 41. Resolutions; approval or veto. Every order, resolution or
vote, in which the concurrence of both houses may be necessary, except on
the question of adjournment, or relating solely to the transaction of the
business of the two houses, shall be presented to the governor, and before it
shall take effect be approved by him, or, being disapproved, be repassed by
two-thirds of both houses as prescribed in the case of a bill.
ARTICLE 3
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Sec. 42. Bribery of legislators and solicitation of bribery
defined; expulsion of legislator for bribery or solicitation. If any person
elected to either house of the legislature shall offer or promise to give his
vote or influence in favor of or against any measure or proposition, pending
or to be introduced into the legislature, in consideration or upon condition
that any other person elected to the same legislature will give, or promise or
assent to give his vote or influence in favor of or against any other measure
or proposition pending or proposed to be introduced into such legislature, the
person making such offer or promise shall be deemed guilty of solicitation
of bribery. If any member of the legislature shall give his vote or influence
for or against any measure or proposition pending or to be introduced in such
legislature, or offer, promise or assent thereto, upon condition that any other
member will give or will promise or assent to give his vote or influence in
favor of or against any other measure or proposition pending or to be
introduced in such legislature, or in consideration that any other member has
given his vote or influence for or against any other measure or proposition
in such legislature, he shall be deemed guilty of bribery, and any member of
the legislature, or person elected thereto, who shall be guilty of either of such
offenses, shall be expelled and shall not thereafter be eligible to the
legislature, and on conviction thereof in the civil courts shall be liable to such
further penalty as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 43. Offers to bribe. Any person who shall directly or
indirectly offer, give or promise any money or thing of value, testimonial,
privilege or personal advantage, to any executive or judicial officer or
member of the legislature, to influence him in the performance of any of his
official duties shall be deemed guilty of bribery, and be punished in such
manner as shall be provided by law.
Sec. 44. Witnesses in bribery charges. Any person may be
compelled to testify in any lawful investigation or judicial proceeding against
any person who may be charged with having committed the offense of
bribery or corrupt solicitation, or practices of solicitation, and shall not be
permitted to withhold his testimony upon the ground that it may criminate
himself, or subject him to public infamy; but such testimony shall not
afterwards be used against him in any judicial proceeding, except for perjury
in giving such testimony, and any person convicted of either of the offenses
aforesaid shall, as part of the punishment therefor, be disqualified from
holding any office or position of honor, trust or profit in this state.
Sec. 45. Legislature shall define corrupt solicitation. The offense
of corrupt solicitation of members of the legislature or of public officers of
the state, or of any municipal division thereof, and the occupation or practice
of solicitation of such members or officers to influence their official actions
shall be defined by law and shall be punishable by fine and imprisonment.
ARTICLE 3
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Sec. 46. Interested member shall not vote. A member who has a
personal or private interest in any measure or bill proposed or pending before
the legislature shall disclose the fact to the house of which he is a member,
and shall not vote thereon.
APPORTIONMENT
Sec. 47. Congressional representation. One representative in the
congress of the United States shall be elected from the state at large, the
Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, 1890, and thereafter at
such times and places, and in such manner as may be prescribed by law.
When a new apportionment shall be made by congress, the legislature shall
divide the state into congressional districts accordingly.
Sec. 48. State census. At the first budget session of the legislature
following the federal census, the legislature shall reapportion its membership
based upon that census. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article,
any bill to apportion the legislature may be introduced in a budget session in
the same manner as in a general session.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1965 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1966, and proclaimed in
effect on January 17, 1967.
This section was again amended by a resolution adopted by the 1997 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 3, 1998, and
proclaimed in effect on November 10, 1998.
Sec. 49. District representation. Congressional districts may be
altered from time to time as public convenience may require. When a
congressional district shall be composed of two or more counties they shall
be contiguous, and the districts as compact as may be. No county shall be
divided in the formation of congressional districts.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1965 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1966, and proclaimed in
effect on January 17, 1967.
Sec. 50. Apportionment for first legislature. Until an
apportionment of senators and representatives as otherwise provided by law,
they shall be divided among the several counties of the state in the following
manner:
Albany County, two senators and five representatives.
Carbon County, two senators and five representatives.
Converse County, one senator and three representatives.
Crook County, one senator and two representatives.
Fremont County, one senator and two representatives.
Laramie County, three senators and six representatives.
ARTICLE 3
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Johnson County, one senator and two representatives.
Sheridan County, one senator and two representatives.
Sweetwater County, two senators and three representatives.
Uinta County, two senators and three representatives.
Sec. 51. Filling of vacancies. When vacancies shall occur in the
membership of either house of the legislature of the State of Wyoming
through death, resignation or other cause, such vacancies shall be filled in
such manner as may be prescribed by law, notwithstanding the provisions of
section 4 of article III of the constitution which is by this section repealed.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1947 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1948, and proclaimed in
effect on December 1, 1948.
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
Sec. 52. Initiative and referendum.
(a) The people may propose and enact laws by the initiative, and
approve or reject acts of the legislature by the referendum.
(b) An initiative or referendum is proposed by an application
containing the bill to be initiated or the act to be referred. The application
shall be signed by not less than one hundred (100) qualified voters as
sponsors, and shall be filed with the secretary of state. If he finds it in proper
form he shall so certify. Denial of certification shall be subject to judicial
review.
(c) After certification of the application, a petition containing a
summary of the subject matter shall be prepared by the secretary of state for
circulation by the sponsors. The petition may be filed with the secretary of
state if it meets both of the following requirements:
(i) It is signed by qualified voters, equal in number to
fifteen percent (15%) of those who voted in the preceding general
election; and
(ii) It is signed by qualified voters equal in number to
fifteen percent (15%) of those resident in at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the counties of the state, as determined by those who voted in the
preceding general election in that county.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1997 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 3, 1998, and proclaimed in
effect on November 10, 1998.
(d) An initiative petition may be filed at any time except that one
may not be filed for a measure substantially the same as that defeated by an
initiative election within the preceding (5) years. The secretary of state shall
prepare a ballot title and proposition summarizing the proposed law, and
shall place them on the ballot for the first statewide election held more than
one hundred twenty (120) days after adjournment of the legislative session
ARTICLE 3
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following the filing. If, before the election, substantially the same measure
has been enacted, the petition is void.
(e) A referendum petition may be filed only within ninety (90) days
after adjournment of the legislative session at which the act was passed,
except that a referendum petition respecting any act previously passed by the
legislature may be filed within six months after the power of referendum is
adopted. The secretary of state shall prepare a ballot title and proposition
summarizing the act and shall place them on the ballot for the first statewide
election held more than one hundred eighty (180) days after adjournment of
that session.
(f) If votes in an amount in excess of fifty percent (50%) of those
voting in the general election are cast in favor of adoption of an initiated
measure, the measure is enacted. If votes in an amount in excess of fifty
percent (50%) of those voted in the general election are cast in favor of
rejection of an act referred, it is rejected. The secretary of state shall certify
the election returns. An initiated law becomes effective ninety (90) days after
certification, is not subject to veto, and may not be repealed by the legislature
within two (2) years of its effective date. It may be amended at any time.
An act rejected by referendum is void thirty (30) days after certification.
Additional procedures for the initiative and referendum may be prescribed
by law.
Subsection (f) was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1985 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1986, and proclaimed in
effect on November 18, 1986.
(g) The initiative shall not be used to dedicate revenues, make or
repeal appropriations, create courts, define the jurisdiction of courts or
prescribe their rules, enact local or special legislation, or enact that
prohibited by the constitution for enactment by the legislature. The
referendum shall not be applied to dedications of revenue, to appropriations,
to local or special legislation, or to laws necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1967 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1968, and proclaimed in
effect on December 9, 1968.
Sec. 53. Creation of criminal penalties not subject to governor's
power to commute. Notwithstanding Article 4, Section 5 of this
Constitution, the legislature may by law create a penalty of life imprisonment
without parole for specified crimes which sentence shall not be subject to
commutation by the governor. The legislature may in addition limit
commutation of a death sentence to a sentence of life imprisonment without
parole which sentence shall not be subject to further commutation. In no
event shall the inherent power of the governor to grant a pardon be limited
or curtailed.
ARTICLE 4
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This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1993 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1994, and proclaimed in
effect on November 16, 1994.
ARTICLE 4
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Sec. 1. Executive power vested in governor; term of governor.
The executive power shall be vested in a governor, who shall hold his office
for the term of four (4) years and until his successor is elected and duly
qualified.
Sec. 2. Qualifications of governor. No person shall be eligible to
the office of governor unless he be a citizen of the United States and a
qualified elector of the state, who has attained the age of thirty years, and
who has resided 5 years next preceding the election within the state or
territory, nor shall he be eligible to any other office during the term for which
he was elected.
Sec. 3. Election of governor. The governor shall be elected by the
qualified electors of the state at the time and place of choosing members of
the legislature. The person having the highest number of votes for governor
shall be declared elected, but if two or more shall have an equal and highest
number of votes for governor, the two houses of the legislature at its next
regular session shall forthwith, by joint ballot, choose one of such persons
for said office. The returns of the election for governor shall be made in such
manner as shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 4. Powers and duties of governor generally. The governor
shall be commander-in-chief of the military forces of the state, except when
they are called into the service of the United States, and may call out the
same to execute the laws, suppress insurrection and repel invasion. He shall
have power to convene the legislature on extraordinary occasions. He shall
at the commencement of each session communicate to the legislature by
message, information of the condition of the state, and recommend such
measures as he shall deem expedient. He shall transact all necessary business
with the officers of the government, civil and military. He shall expedite all
such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature and shall take care
that the laws be faithfully executed.
Sec. 5. Pardoning power of governor. The governor shall have
power to remit fines and forfeitures, to grant reprieves, commutations and
pardons after conviction, for all offenses except treason and cases of
impeachment; but the legislature may by law regulate the manner in which
ARTICLE 4
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the remission of fines, pardons, commutations and reprieves may be applied
for. Upon conviction for treason he shall have power to suspend the
execution of sentence until the case is reported to the legislature at its next
regular session, when the legislature shall either pardon, or commute the
sentence, direct the execution of the sentence or grant further reprieve. He
shall communicate to the legislature at each regular session each case of
remission of fine, reprieve, commutation or pardon granted by him, stating
the name of the convict, the crime for which he was convicted, the sentence
and its date, and the date of the remission, commutation, pardon or reprieve
with his reasons for granting the same.
Sec. 6. Acting governor. If the governor be impeached, displaced,
resign or die, or from mental or physical disease or otherwise become
incapable of performing the duties of his office or be absent from the state,
the secretary of state shall act as governor until the vacancy is filled or the
disability removed.
Sec. 7. When governor may fill vacancies in office. When any
office from any cause becomes vacant, and no mode is provided by the
constitution or law for filling such vacancy, the governor shall have the
power to fill the same by appointment.
Sec. 8. Approval or veto of legislation by governor; passage over
veto. Every bill which has passed the legislature shall, before it becomes a
law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if not,
he shall return it with his objections to the house in which it originated, which
shall enter the objections at large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider
it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members elected agree to
pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house,
by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if it be approved by two-
thirds of the members elected, it shall become a law; but in all such cases the
vote of both houses shall be determined by the yeas and nays, and the names
of the members voting for and against the bill shall be entered upon the
journal of each house respectively. If any bill is not returned by the governor
within three days (Sundays excepted) after its presentation to him, the same
shall be a law, unless the legislature by its adjournment, prevent its return, in
which case it shall be a law, unless he shall file the same with his objections
in the office of the secretary of state within fifteen days after such
adjournment.
Sec. 9. Veto of items of appropriations. The governor shall have
power to disapprove of any item or items or part or parts of any bill making
appropriations of money or property embracing distinct items, and the part
or parts of the bill approved shall be the law, and the item or items and part
or parts disapproved shall be void unless enacted in the following manner: If
ARTICLE 4
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the legislature be in session he shall transmit to the house in which the bill
originated a copy of the item or items or part or parts thereof disapproved,
together with his objections thereto, and the items or parts objected to shall
be separately reconsidered, and each item or part shall then take the same
course as is prescribed for the passage of bills over the executive veto.
Sec. 10. Bribery or coercion of or by governor. Any governor of
this state who asks, receives or agrees to receive any bribe upon any
understanding that his official opinion, judgment or action shall be
influenced thereby, or who gives or offers, or promises his official influence
in consideration that any member of the legislature shall give his official vote
or influence on any particular side of any question or matter upon which he
is required to act in his official capacity, or who menaces any member by the
threatened use of his veto power, or who offers or promises any member that
he, the governor, will appoint any particular person or persons to any office
created or thereafter to be created, in consideration that any member shall
give his official vote or influence on any matter pending or thereafter to be
introduced into either house of said legislature; or who threatens any member
that he, the governor, will remove any person or persons from office or
position with intent in any manner to influence the action of said members,
shall be punished in the manner now or that may hereafter be provided by
law, and upon conviction thereof shall forfeit all right to hold or exercise any
office of trust or honor in this state.
Sec. 11. State officers; election; qualifications; terms. There
shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the state at the times and places
of choosing members of the legislature, a secretary of state, auditor,
treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction, who shall have attained
the age of twenty-five (25) years respectively, shall be citizens of the United
States, and shall have the qualifications of state electors. They shall severally
hold their offices at the seat of government, for the term of four (4) years and
until their successors are elected and duly qualified. The legislature may
provide for such other state officers as are deemed necessary.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1981 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1982, and proclaimed in
effect on November 24, 1982.
Sec. 12. State officers; powers and duties. The powers and duties
of the secretary of state, of state auditor, treasurer and superintendent of
public instruction shall be as prescribed by law.
Sec. 13. Salaries of governor and other elective state officers.
Until otherwise provided by law, the governor shall receive an annual salary
of two thousand and five hundred dollars, the secretary of state, state auditor,
state treasurer and superintendent of public instruction shall each receive an
ARTICLE 5
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annual salary of two thousand dollars, and the salaries of any of the said
officers shall not be increased or diminished during the period for which they
were elected, and all fees and profits arising from any of the said offices shall
be covered into the state treasury.
Sec. 14. Examination of accounts. The legislature shall provide by
law for examination of the accounts of state treasurer, supreme court clerks,
district court clerks, and all county treasurers, and treasurers of such other
public institutions as the legislature may prescribe.
Sec. 15. Great seal of state. There shall be a seal of state which
shall be called the "Great Seal of the State of Wyoming"; it shall be kept by
the secretary of state and used by him officially as directed by law.
The seal of the Territory of Wyoming as now used shall be the seal
of the state until otherwise provided by law.
ARTICLE 5
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Sec. 1. How judicial power vested. The judicial power of the state
shall be vested in the senate, sitting as a court of impeachment, in a supreme
court, district courts, and such subordinate courts as the legislature may, by
general law, establish and ordain from time to time.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1965 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1966, and proclaimed in
effect on January 17, 1967.
Sec. 2. Supreme court generally; appellate jurisdiction. The
supreme court shall have general appellate jurisdiction, co-extensive with the
state, in both civil and criminal causes, and shall have a general
superintending control over all inferior courts, under such rules and
regulations as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 3. Supreme court generally; original jurisdiction. The
supreme court shall have original jurisdiction in quo warranto and mandamus
as to all state officers, and in habeas corpus. The supreme court shall also
have power to issue writs of mandamus, review, prohibition, habeas corpus,
certiorari, and other writs necessary and proper to the complete exercise of
its appellate and revisory jurisdiction. Each of the judges shall have power
to issue writs of habeas corpus to any part of the state upon petition by or on
behalf of a person held in actual custody, and may make such writs returnable
before himself or before the supreme court, or before any district court of the
state or any judge thereof.
ARTICLE 5
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Sec. 4. Supreme court generally; number; election of chief
justice; quorum; vacancies in supreme court or district court; judicial
nominating commission; terms; standing for retention in office.
(a) The supreme court of the state shall consist of not less than three
nor more than five justices as may be determined by the legislature. The
justices of the court shall elect one of their number to serve as chief justice
for such term and with such authority as shall be prescribed by law. A
majority of the justices shall constitute a quorum, and a concurrence of a
majority of such quorum shall be sufficient to decide any matter. If a justice
of the supreme court for any reason shall not participate in hearing any
matter, the chief justice may designate one of the district judges to act for
such nonparticipating justice.
(b) A vacancy in the office of justice of the supreme court or judge
of any district court or of such other courts that may be made subject to this
provision by law, shall be filled by a qualified person appointed by the
governor from a list of three nominees that shall be submitted by the judicial
nominating commission. The commission shall submit such a list not later
than 60 days after the death, retirement, tender of resignation, removal,
failure of an incumbent to file a declaration of candidacy or certification of
a negative majority vote on the question of retention in office under section
[subsection] (g) hereof. If the governor shall fail to make any such
appointment within 30 days from the day the list is submitted to him, such
appointment shall be made by the chief justice from the list within 15 days.
(c) There shall be a judicial nominating commission for the
supreme court, district courts and any other courts to which these provisions
may be extended by law. The commission shall consist of seven members,
one of whom shall be the chief justice, or a justice of the supreme court
designated by the chief justice to act for him, who shall be chairman thereof.
In addition to the chief justice, or his designee, three resident members of the
bar engaged in active practice shall be elected by the Wyoming state bar and
three electors of the state not admitted to practice law shall be appointed by
the governor to serve on said commission for such staggered terms as shall
be prescribed by law. No more than two members of said commission who
are residents of the same judicial district may qualify to serve any term or
part of a term on the commission. In the case of courts having less than
statewide authority, each judicial district not otherwise represented by a
member on the commission, and each county, should the provisions hereof
be extended by law to courts of lesser jurisdiction than district courts, shall
be represented by two nonvoting advisors to the commission when an
appointment to a court in such unrepresented district, or county, is pending;
both of such advisors shall be residents of the district, or county, and one
shall be a member of the bar appointed by the governing body of the
Wyoming state bar and one shall be a nonattorney advisor appointed by the
governor.
ARTICLE 5
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(d) No member of the commission excepting the chairman shall
hold any federal, state or county public office or any political party office,
and after serving a full term he shall not be eligible for reelection or
reappointment to succeed himself on the commission. No member of the
judicial nominating commission shall be eligible for appointment to any
judicial office while he is a member of the commission nor for a period of
one year after the expiration of his term for which he was elected or
appointed. Vacancies in the office of commissioner shall be filled for the
unexpired terms in the same manner as the original appointments. Additional
qualifications of members of the commission may be prescribed by law.
(e) The chairman of the commission shall cast votes only in the
event of ties. The commission shall operate under rules adopted by the
supreme court. Members of the commission shall be entitled to no
compensation other than expenses incurred for travel and subsistence while
attending meetings of the commission.
(f) The terms of supreme court justices shall be eight years and the
terms of district court judges shall be six years.
(g) Each justice or judge selected under these provisions shall serve
for one year after his appointment and until the first Monday in January
following the next general election after the expiration of such year. He shall,
at such general election, stand for retention in office on a ballot which shall
submit to the appropriate electorate the question whether such justice or
judge shall be retained in office for another term or part of a term, and upon
filing a declaration of candidacy in the form and at the times prescribed by
law, he shall, at the general election next held before the expiration of each
term, stand for retention on such ballots. The electorate of the whole state
shall vote on the question of retention or rejection of justices of the supreme
court, and any other statewide court; the electorate of the several judicial
districts shall vote on the question of retention or rejection of judges of their
respective districts, and the electorate of such other subdivisions of the state
as shall be prescribed by law shall vote on the question of retention or
rejection of any other judges to which these provisions may be extended.
(h) A justice or judge selected hereunder, or one that is in office
upon the effective date of this amendment, who shall desire to retain his
judicial office a succeeding term, following the expiration of his existing
term of office, shall file with the appropriate office not more than 6 months
nor less than 3 months before the general election to be held before the
expiration of his existing term of office a declaration of intent to stand for
election for a succeeding term. When such a declaration of intent is filed, the
appropriate electorate shall vote upon a nonpartisan judicial ballot on the
question of retention in or rejection from office of such justice or judge, and
if a majority of those voting on the question vote affirmatively, the justice or
judge shall be elected to serve the succeeding term prescribed by law. If a
justice or judge fails to file such a declaration within the time specified, or if
a majority of those voting on the question vote negatively to any judicial
ARTICLE 5
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candidacy, a vacancy will thereby be created in that office at the end of its
existing term.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1957 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1958, and proclaimed in
effect on December 10, 1958.
This section was amended again by a resolution adopted by the 1971 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1972, and
proclaimed in effect on December 12, 1972.
This section was further amended by a resolution adopted by the 1975 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1976, and pro-
claimed in effect on November 23, 1976.
Sec. 5. Voluntary retirement and compensation of justices and
judges. Subject to the further provisions of this section, the legislature shall
provide for the voluntary retirement and compensation of justices and judges
of the supreme court and district courts, and may do so for any other courts,
on account of length of service, age and disability, and for their reassignment
to active duty where and when needed. The office of every such justice and
judge shall become vacant when the incumbent reaches the age of seventy
(70) years, as the legislature may prescribe; but, in the case of an incumbent
whose term of office includes the effective date of this amendment, this
provision shall not prevent him from serving the remainder of said term nor
be applicable to him before his period or periods of judicial service shall have
reached a total of six (6) years. The legislature may also provide for benefits
for dependents of justices and judges.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1971 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1972, and proclaimed in
effect on December 12, 1972.
Sec. 6. Commission on judicial conduct and ethics.
(a) There is hereby created the Commission on Judicial Conduct
and Ethics. The commission shall have twelve (12) members who reside in
Wyoming consisting of:
(i) Three (3) active Wyoming judges, who are not
members of the supreme court, elected by the full-time, active
Wyoming judges;
(ii) Three (3) members of the Wyoming state bar,
appointed by its governing body; and
(iii) Six (6) electors of the state, who are not active or
retired judges or attorneys, appointed by the governor and
confirmed by the senate.
(b) All terms shall be for three (3) years duration. Members shall
be eligible for reappointment to a second term.
(c) The commission shall divide itself into investigatory and
adjudicatory panels for each case considered. No commission member may
serve on an adjudicatory panel in any case in which that member served in
an investigatory capacity.
ARTICLE 5
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(d) The commission, or a panel thereof, shall consider complaints
of judicial misconduct made against judicial officers and, to the extent
permitted and as provided for by the code of judicial conduct, may:
(i) Discipline a judicial officer; or
(ii) Recommend discipline of a judicial officer to the
supreme court or a special supreme court.
(e) The supreme court shall adopt a code of judicial conduct
applicable to all judicial officers and adopt rules governing:
(i) The election of judges to the commission;
(ii) The staggering of terms, and the removal and filling
of vacancies of commission members;
(iii) The appointment of a special supreme court
composed of five (5) district judges who are not members of the
commission, to act in the place of the supreme court in any case
involving the discipline or disability of a justice of the supreme
court; and
(iv) Procedures for the operation of the commission
including exercise of the commission's disciplinary powers.
(f) The supreme court or special supreme court, on
recommendation of the commission or on its own motion may:
(i) Suspend a judicial officer without salary when the
judicial officer is charged with or is convicted in the United States
of a crime punishable as a felony or one involving moral turpitude
under Wyoming or federal law, and remove that judicial officer in
the event such conviction becomes final;
(ii) For any judicial officer removed from office, order a
forfeiture of any pension or retirement benefits accrued after the
offending conduct, except for those that have been vested under the
Wyoming retirement act or any local plan;
(iii) Suspend the judicial officer from practicing law in
this state; and
(iv) Remove a judicial officer from office or impose other
discipline permitted by the rules for judicial discipline for conduct
that constitutes willful misconduct in office, or for a willful and
persistent failure to perform the duties of the office, or for habitual
intemperance, or for conduct prejudicial to the administration of
justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, or for a violation
of the code of judicial conduct.
(g) The code of judicial conduct shall provide for the mandatory
retirement of a judicial officer for any disability that seriously interferes with
the performance of the duties of the office and is, or is likely to become,
permanent. A judicial officer retired by the supreme court or a special
supreme court for a disability shall be considered to have retired voluntarily
without loss of retirement benefits.
ARTICLE 5
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(h) A judicial officer removed from office is ineligible for any
judicial office.
(j) This section applies to all judicial officers during their service
on the bench and to former judicial officers regarding allegations of judicial
misconduct occurring during service on the bench if a complaint is made
within one (1) year following service. The term "judicial officer" includes all
members of the judicial branch of government performing judicial functions.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1917 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1918, and proclaimed in
effect on December 3, 1918.
This section was amended again by a resolution adopted by the 1971 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1972, and
proclaimed in effect on December 12, 1972.
This section was further amended by a resolution adopted by the 1996 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1996, and pro-
claimed in effect on November 18, 1996.
Sec. 7. Supreme court generally; terms of court. At least two
terms of the supreme court shall be held annually at the seat of government
at such times as may be provided by law.
Sec. 8. Supreme court generally; qualifications of justices. No
person shall be eligible to the office of justice of the supreme court unless he
be learned in the law, have been in actual practice at least nine (9) years, or
whose service on the bench of any court of record, when added to the time
he may have practiced law, shall be equal to nine (9) years, be at least thirty
years of age and a citizen of the United States, nor unless he shall have
resided in this state or territory at least three years.
Sec. 9. Supreme court generally; clerk. There shall be a clerk of
the supreme court who shall be appointed by the justices of said court and
shall hold his office during their pleasure, and whose duties and emoluments
shall be as provided by law.
Sec. 10. District courts generally; jurisdiction. The district court
shall have original jurisdiction of all causes both at law and in equity and in
all criminal cases, of all matters of probate and insolvency and of such
special cases and proceedings as are not otherwise provided for. The district
court shall also have original jurisdiction in all cases and of all proceedings
in which jurisdiction shall not have been by law vested exclusively in some
other court; and said court shall have the power of naturalization and to issue
papers therefor. They shall have such appellate jurisdiction in cases arising
in justices' and other inferior courts in their respective counties as may be
prescribed by law. Said courts and their judges shall have power to issue
writs of mandamus, quo warranto, review, certiorari, prohibition, injunction
ARTICLE 5
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and writs of habeas corpus, on petition by or on behalf of any person in actual
custody in their respective districts.
Sec. 11. District courts generally; judges to hold court for each
other. The judges of the district courts may hold courts for each other and
shall do so when required by law.
Sec. 12. District courts generally; qualifications of judges. No
person shall be eligible to the office of judge of the district court unless he
be learned in the law, be at least twenty-eight years of age, and a citizen of
the United States, nor unless he shall have resided within the State or
Territory of Wyoming at least two years next preceding his election.
Sec. 13. District courts generally; clerks. There shall be a clerk of
the district court in each organized county in which a court is holden who
shall be elected, or, in case of vacancy, appointed in such manner and with
such duties and compensation as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 14. District courts generally; commissioners. The legislature
shall provide by law for the appointment by the several district courts of one
or more district court commissioners (who shall be persons learned in the
law) in each organized county in which a district court is holden, such
commissioners shall have authority to perform such chamber business in the
absence of the district judge from the county or upon his written statement
filed with the papers, that it is improper for him to act, as may be prescribed
by law, to take depositions and perform such other duties, and receive such
compensation as shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 15. Style of process. The style of all process shall be "The
State of Wyoming." All prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by
the authority of the State of Wyoming, and conclude "against the peace and
dignity of the State of Wyoming."
Sec. 16. Supreme court judges limited to judicial duties. No
duties shall be imposed by law upon the supreme court or any of the judges
thereof, except such as are judicial, nor shall any of the judges thereof
exercise any power of appointment except as herein provided.
Sec. 17. Salaries of judges of supreme and district courts. The
judges of the supreme and district courts shall receive such compensation for
their services as may be prescribed by law, which compensation shall not be
increased or diminished during the term for which a judge shall have been
elected, and the salary of a judge of the supreme or district court shall be as
may be prescribed by law; provided, however, that when any legislative
increase or decrease in the salary of the justices or judges of such courts
ARTICLE 5
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whose respective terms of office do not expire at the same time, has
heretofore or shall hereafter become effective as to any member of such
court, it shall be effective from such date as to each of the members thereof.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1953 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1954, and proclaimed in
effect on December 7, 1954.
Sec. 18. Appeals from district courts to supreme court. Writs of
error and appeals may be allowed from the decisions of the district courts to
the supreme court under such regulations as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 19. State divided into districts; election and terms of
district judges. Until otherwise provided by law, the state shall be divided
into three judicial districts, in each of which there shall be elected at general
elections, by the electors thereof, one judge of the district court therein,
whose term shall be six (6) years from the first Monday in January
succeeding his election and until his successor is duly qualified.
Sec. 20. Districts defined. Until otherwise provided by law, said
judicial districts shall be constituted as follows: District number one shall
consist of the counties of Laramie, Converse and Crook. District number two
shall consist of the counties of Albany, Johnson and Sheridan. District
number three shall consist of the counties of Carbon, Sweetwater, Uinta and
Fremont.
Sec. 21. Increase in number of districts and judges. The
legislature may from time to time increase the number of said judicial
districts and the judges thereof, but such increase or change in the boundaries
of the district shall not work the removal of any judge from his office during
the term for which he may have been elected or appointed; provided the
number of districts and district judges shall not exceed four (4) until the
valuation of taxable property in the state shall be equal to one hundred
million ($100,000,000) dollars.
Sec. 22. Jurisdiction of justices of the peace. [Repealed.]
Sec. 23. Appeals from justices' courts. [Repealed.]
Sections 22 and 23 were repealed by a resolution adopted by the 1965 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1966, and pro-
claimed in effect on January 17, 1967.
Sec. 24. Terms of district courts; attaching unorganized
territory to organized counties. The time of holding courts in the several
counties of a district shall be as prescribed by law, and the legislature shall
make provisions for attaching unorganized counties or territory to organized
counties for judicial purposes.
ARTICLE 6
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Sec. 25. Judges of supreme and district courts shall not
practice. No judge of the supreme or district court shall act as attorney or
counsellor at law.
Sec. 26. Power to fix terms of court. Until the legislature shall
provide by law for fixing the terms of courts, the judges of the supreme court
and district courts shall fix the terms thereof.
Sec. 27. Judges of supreme and district courts shall not hold
other office. No judge of the supreme or district court shall be elected or
appointed to any other than judicial offices or be eligible thereto during the
term for which he was elected or appointed such judge.
Sec. 28. Appeals from boards of arbitration. Appeals from
decisions of compulsory boards of arbitration shall be allowed to the
supreme court of the state, and the manner of taking such appeals shall be
prescribed by law.
Sec. 29. Juvenile delinquency and domestic relations courts.
The legislature may by general law provide for such juvenile delinquency
and domestic relations courts as may be needed, and for the number,
qualifications and election of judges of such courts. Appeals shall lie in such
cases and pursuant to such regulations as may be prescribed by law. Such
courts shall have such jurisdiction as the legislature may by law provide.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1947 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1948, and proclaimed in
effect on December 1, 1948.
ARTICLE 6
SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Sec 1. Male and female citizens to enjoy equal rights. The rights
of citizens of the State of Wyoming to vote and hold office shall not be
denied or abridged on account of sex. Both male and female citizens of this
state shall equally enjoy all civil, political and religious rights and privileges.
Wyoming was the first state in the Union to grant women equal suffrage with men.
Sec. 2. Qualifications of electors. Every citizen of the United
States of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, who has resided in the
state or territory one year and in the county wherein such residence is located
sixty days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote at such
election, except as herein otherwise provided.
There are no longer durational residency requirements for electors.
ARTICLE 6
-- 34 --
Since ratification of the 26th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, twenty-one should
read eighteen.
Sec. 3. Electors privileged from arrest. Electors shall in all cases
except treason, felony or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest on
the days of election during their attendance at elections, and going to and
returning therefrom.
Sec. 4. Exemption of electors from military duty. No elector shall
be obliged to perform militia duty on the day of election, except in time of
war or public danger.
Sec. 5. Electors must be citizens of United States. No person shall
be deemed a qualified elector of this state, unless such person be a citizen of
the United States.
Sec. 6. What persons excluded from franchise. All persons
adjudicated to be mentally incompetent or persons convicted of felonies,
unless restored to civil rights, are excluded from the elective franchise.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1996 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1996, and proclaimed in
effect on November 11, 1996.
Sec. 7. When residence not lost by reason of absence. No elector
shall be deemed to have lost his residence in the state, by reason of his
absence on business of the United States, or of this state, or in the military or
naval service of the United States.
Sec. 8. Soldiers stationed in state not considered residents. No
soldier, seaman, or marine in the army or navy of the United States shall be
deemed a resident of this state in consequence of his being stationed therein.
Sec. 9. Educational qualifications of electors. No person shall
have the right to vote who shall not be able to read the constitution of this
state. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person prevented
by physical disability from complying with its requirements.
*The Federal Voting Rights Act Amendment of 1970 prevents the use of a test or
device as a condition to voting.
Sec. 10. Alien suffrage. Nothing herein contained shall be
construed to deprive any person of the right to vote who has such right at the
time of the adoption of this constitution, unless disqualified by the
restrictions of section six of this article. After the expiration of five (5) years
from the time of the adoption of this constitution, none but citizens of the
United States shall have the right to vote.
ARTICLE 6
-- 35 --
Sec. 11. Manner of holding elections. All elections shall be by
ballot. The legislature shall provide by law that the names of all candidates
for the same office, to be voted for at any election, shall be printed on the
same ballot, at public expense, and on election day be delivered to the voters
within the polling place by sworn public officials, and only such ballots so
delivered shall be received and counted. But no voter shall be deprived the
privilege of writing upon the ballot used the name of any other candidate.
All voters shall be guaranteed absolute privacy in the preparation of their
ballots, and the secrecy of the ballot shall be made compulsory.
Sec. 12. Registration of voters required. No person qualified to
be an elector of the State of Wyoming, shall be allowed to vote at any general
or special election hereafter to be holden in the state, until he or she shall
have registered as a voter according to law, unless the failure to register is
caused by sickness or absence, for which provisions shall be made by law.
The legislature of the state shall enact such laws as will carry into effect the
provisions of this section, which enactment shall be subject to amendment,
but shall never be repealed; but this section shall not apply to the first election
held under this constitution.
Sec. 13. Purity of elections to be provided for. The legislature
shall pass laws to secure the purity of elections, and guard against abuses of
the elective franchise.
Sec. 14. Election contests. The legislature shall, by general law,
designate the courts by which the several classes of election contests not
otherwise provided for, shall be tried, and regulate the manner of trial and all
matters incident thereto; but no such law shall apply to any contest arising
out of an election held before its passage.
Sec. 15. Qualifications for office. No person except a qualified
elector shall be elected or appointed to any civil or military office in the state.
"Military office" shall be limited to the offices of adjutant general, assistant
adjutant general for the army national guard and assistant adjutant general
for the air national guard.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1999 Legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 2000, and proclaimed in
effect on November 15, 2000.
Sec. 16. When officers to hold over; suspension of officers.
Every person holding any civil office under the state or any municipality
therein shall, unless removed according to law, exercise the duties of such
office until his successor is duly qualified, but this shall not apply to
ARTICLE 6
-- 36 --
members of the legislature, nor to members of any board or assembly, two
or more of whom are elected at the same time. The legislature may by law
provide for suspending any officer in his functions, pending impeachment or
prosecution for misconduct in office.
Sec. 17. Time of holding general and special elections; when
elected officers to enter upon duties. All general elections for state and
county officers, for members of the house of representatives and the senate
of the State of Wyoming, and representatives to the congress of the United
States, shall be held on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in
November of each even year. Special elections may be held as now, or may
hereafter be provided by law. All state and county officers elected at a
general election shall enter upon their respective duties on the first Monday
in January next following the date of their election, or as soon thereafter as
may be possible.
Sec. 18. Method of selecting officers whose election is not
provided for. All officers, whose election is not provided for in this
constitution, shall be elected or appointed as may be directed by law.
Sec. 19. Dual office holding. No member of congress from this
state, nor any person holding or exercising any office or appointment of trust
or profit under the United States, shall at the same time hold or exercise any
office in this state to which a salary, fees or perquisites shall be attached. The
legislature may by law declare what offices are incompatible.
Sec. 20. Oath of office; form. Senators and representatives and all
judicial, state and county officers shall, before entering on the duties of their
respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I
do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the
constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the state of
Wyoming; that I have not knowingly violated any law related to my election
or appointment, or caused it to be done by others; and that I will discharge
the duties of my office with fidelity."
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 2007 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 2008, and proclaimed in
effect on November 12, 2008.
Sec. 21. Oath of office; how administered. The foregoing oath
shall be administered by some person authorized to administer oaths, and in
the case of state officers and judges of the supreme court shall be filed in the
office of the secretary of state, and in the case of other judicial and county
officers in the office of the clerk of the county in which the same is taken;
any person refusing to take said oath or affirmation shall forfeit his office,
ARTICLE 7
-- 37 --
and any person who shall be convicted of having sworn or affirmed falsely,
or of having violated said oath or affirmation, shall be guilty of perjury, and
be forever disqualified from holding any office of trust or profit within this
state. The oath to members of the senate and house of representatives shall
be administered by one of the judges of the supreme court or a justice of the
peace, in the hall of the house to which the members shall be elected.
Sec. 22. Absent voter ballots, voting and registration. The
provisions of section 11 of article 6 of this constitution, which provides that
the ballots therein mentioned shall be delivered on election day to the voters
within the polling place by sworn public officials, and that only such ballots
so delivered shall be received and counted, shall not be applicable to, affect
or invalidate absent voter ballots and voting thereof and registration therefor,
as provided by article 14, of chapter 36, Wyoming Revised Statutes, 1931,
and other acts of the legislature of the State of Wyoming, amendatory thereof
or related thereto, whether heretofore or hereafter enacted.
This section was added by an amendment proposed at the 1944 special session of
the legislature, ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1944,
and proclaimed in effect on December 6, 1944.
ARTICLE 7
EDUCATION; STATE INSTITUTIONS; PROMOTION OF HEALTH
AND
Sec. 1. Legislature to provide for public schools. The legislature
shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and
uniform system of public instruction, embracing free elementary schools of
every needed kind and grade, a university with such technical and
professional departments as the public good may require and the means of
the state allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary.
Sec. 2. School revenues. The following are declared to be perpetual
funds for school purposes, of which the annual income only can be
appropriated, to wit: Such per centum as has been or may hereafter be
granted by congress on the sale of lands in this state; all moneys arising from
the sale or lease of sections number sixteen and thirty-six in each township
in the state, and the lands selected or that may be selected in lieu thereof; the
proceeds of all lands that have been or may hereafter be granted to this state,
where by the terms and conditions of the grant, the same are not to be
otherwise appropriated; the net proceeds of lands and other property and
effects that may come to the state by escheat or forfeiture, or from unclaimed
dividends or distributive shares of the estates of deceased persons; all
moneys, stocks, bonds, lands and other property now belonging to the
common school funds. Provided, that the rents for the ordinary use of said
ARTICLE 7
-- 38 --
lands shall be applied to the support of public schools and, when authorized
by general law, not to exceed thirty-three and one-third (33 1/3) per centum
of oil, gas, coal, or other mineral royalties arising from the lease of any said
school lands may be so applied.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1923 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1924, and proclaimed in
effect on December 10, 1924. The amendment added the proviso clause.
Sec. 3. Other sources of school revenues. To the sources of
revenue above mentioned shall be added all other grants, gifts and devises
that have been or may hereafter be made to this state and not otherwise
appropriated by the terms of the grant, gift or devise.
Sec. 4. Restriction in use of revenues. All money, stocks, bonds,
lands and other property belonging to a county school fund, except such
moneys and property as may be provided by law for current use in aid of
public schools, shall belong to and be invested by the several counties as a
county public school fund, in such manner as the legislature shall by law
provide, the income of which shall be appropriated exclusively to the use and
support of free public schools in the several counties of the state.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1969 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 3, 1970, and proclaimed in
effect on December 3, 1970.
Sec. 5. Fines and penalties to belong to public school fund. All
fines and penalties under general laws of the state shall belong to the public
school fund of the respective counties and be paid over to the custodians of
such funds for the current support of the public schools therein.
Sec. 6. State to keep school funds; investment. All funds
belonging to the state for public school purposes, the interest and income of
which only are to be used, shall be deemed trust funds in the care of the state,
which shall keep them for the exclusive benefit of the public schools. The
legislature shall provide by law for the investment of such trust funds.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1915 and 1969 legislatures.
The latest amendment was ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on
November 3, 1970, and proclaimed in effect on December 3, 1970.
Sec. 7. Application of school funds. The income arising from the
funds mentioned in the preceding section, together with all the rents of the
unsold school lands and such other means as the legislature may provide,
shall be exclusively applied to the support of free schools in every county in
the state.
Sec. 8. Distribution of school funds. Provision shall be made by
general law for the equitable allocation of such income among all school
ARTICLE 7
-- 39 --
districts in the state. But no appropriation shall be made from said fund to
any district for the year in which a school has not been maintained for at least
three (3) months; nor shall any portion of any public school fund ever be
used to support or assist any private school, or any school, academy,
seminary, college or other institution of learning controlled by any church or
sectarian organization or religious denomination whatsoever.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1978 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1978, and proclaimed in
effect on November 25, 1978.
Sec. 9. Taxation for schools. The legislature shall make such
further provision by taxation or otherwise, as with the income arising from
the general school fund will create and maintain a thorough and efficient
system of public schools, adequate to the proper instruction of all youth of
the state, between the ages of six and twenty-one years, free of charge; and
in view of such provision so made, the legislature shall require that every
child of sufficient physical and mental ability shall attend a public school
during the period between six and eighteen years for a time equivalent to
three years, unless educated by other means.
Sec. 10. No discrimination between pupils. In none of the public
schools so established and maintained shall distinction or discrimination be
made on account of sex, race or color.
Sec. 11. Textbooks. Neither the legislature nor the superintendent
of public instruction shall have power to prescribe text books to be used in
the public schools.
Sec. 12. Sectarianism prohibited. No sectarian instruction,
qualifications or tests shall be imparted, exacted, applied or in any manner
tolerated in the schools of any grade or character controlled by the state, nor
shall attendance be required at any religious service therein, nor shall any
sectarian tenets or doctrines be taught or favored in any public school or
institution that may be established under this constitution.
Sec. 13. Land commissioners. [Superseded by Article 18, Section
3 as amended 1922.]
This section has been superseded by Wyo. Const. Art. 18, Sec. 3, as amended in 1922,
which incorporates as its first sentence the provisions of this section with this change, that the
state auditor is made a member of the board.
Sec. 14. Supervision of schools entrusted to state
superintendent of public instruction. The general supervision of the public
schools shall be entrusted to the state superintendent of public instruction,
whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by law.
ARTICLE 7
-- 40 --
Sec. 15. Establishment of university confirmed. The
establishment of the University of Wyoming is hereby confirmed, and said
institution, with its several departments, is hereby declared to be the
University of the State of Wyoming. All lands which have been heretofore
granted or which may be granted hereafter by congress unto the university
as such, or in aid of the instruction to be given in any of its departments, with
all other grants, donations, or devises for said university, or for any of its
departments, shall vest in said university, and be exclusively used for the
purposes for which they were granted, donated or devised. The said lands
may be leased on terms approved by the land commissioners, but may not be
sold on terms not approved by congress.
Sec. 16. Tuition free. The university shall be equally open to
students of both sexes, irrespective of race or color; and, in order that the
instruction furnished may be as nearly free as possible, any amount in
addition to the income from its grants of lands and other sources above
mentioned, necessary to its support and maintenance in a condition of full
efficiency shall be raised by taxation or otherwise, under provisions of the
legislature.
Sec. 17. Government of university. The legislature shall provide
by law for the management of the university, its lands and other property by
a board of trustees, consisting of not less than seven members, to be
appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate,
and the president of the university, and the superintendent of public
instruction, as members ex officio, as such having the right to speak, but not
to vote. The duties and powers of the trustees shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 18. Establishment of institutions. Such charitable,
reformatory and penal institutions as the claims of humanity and the public
good may require, shall be established and supported by the state in such
manner as the legislature may prescribe. They shall be supervised as
prescribed by law.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1989 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1990, and proclaimed in
effect on November 21, 1990.
Sec. 19. Territorial institutions pass to state. The property of all
charitable and penal institutions belonging to the Territory of Wyoming
shall, upon the adoption of this constitution, become the property of the State
of Wyoming, and such of said institutions as are then in actual operation,
shall thereafter have the supervision of the board of charities and reform as
provided in the last preceding section of this article, under provisions of the
legislature.
ARTICLE 8
-- 41 --
Sec. 20. Duty of legislature to protect and promote health and
morality of people. As the health and morality of the people are essential to
their well-being, and to the peace and permanence of the state, it shall be the
duty of the legislature to protect and promote these vital interests by such
measures for the encouragement of temperance and virtue, and such
restrictions upon vice and immorality of every sort, as are deemed necessary
to the public welfare.
Sec. 21. Buildings and property of territory pass to state. All
public buildings and other property, belonging to the territory shall, upon the
adoption of this constitution, become the property of the State of Wyoming.
Sec. 22. Construction and supervision. The construction, care and
preservation of all public buildings of the state not under the control of the
board or officers of public institutions by authority of law shall be entrusted
to such officers or boards, and under such regulations as shall be prescribed
by law.
Sec. 23. Permanent location. The legislature shall have no power
to change or to locate the seat of government, the state university, or state
hospital, but may provide by law for submitting the question of the
permanent locations thereof respectively, to the qualified electors of the
state, at some general election, and a majority of all votes upon said question
cast at said election, shall be necessary to determine the location thereof; but
until the same are respectively and permanently located, as herein provided,
the location of the seat of government and said institutions shall be as
follows: The seat of government shall be located at the City of Cheyenne,
in the County of Laramie. The state university shall be centered at the City
of Laramie, in the County of Albany. The state hospital shall be located at
or near the City of Evanston, in the County of Uinta. A penitentiary shall be
located at or near the City of Rawlins, in the County of Carbon. The
legislature may provide by law the location of other public institutions,
including correctional facilities.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1978 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1978, and proclaimed in
effect on November 25, 1978.
ARTICLE 8
IRRIGATION AND WATER RIGHTS
Sec. 1. Water is state property. The water of all natural streams,
springs, lakes or other collections of still water, within the boundaries of the
state, are hereby declared to be the property of the state.
ARTICLE 9
-- 42 --
Sec. 2. Board of control. There shall be constituted a board of
control, to be composed of the state engineer and superintendents of the
water divisions; which shall, under such regulations as may be prescribed by
law, have the supervision of the waters of the state and of their appropriation,
distribution and diversion, and of the various officers connected therewith.
Its decisions to be subject to review by the courts of the state.
Sec. 3. Priority of appropriation. Priority of appropriation for
beneficial uses shall give the better right. No appropriation shall be denied
except when such denial is demanded by the public interests.
Sec. 4. Water divisions. The legislature shall by law divide the
state into four (4) water divisions, and provide for the appointment of
superintendents thereof.
Sec. 5. State engineer. There shall be a state engineer who shall be
appointed by the governor of the state and confirmed by the senate; he shall
hold his office for the term of six (6) years, or until his successor shall have
been appointed and shall have qualified. He shall be president of the board
of control, and shall have general supervision of the waters of the state and
of the officers connected with its distribution. No person shall be appointed
to this position who has not such theoretical knowledge and such practical
experience and skill as shall fit him for the position.
ARTICLE 9
MINES AND MINING
Sec. 1. Inspector of mines. There shall be established and
maintained the office of inspector of mines, the duties of which shall be
prescribed by law.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1989 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1990, and proclaimed in
effect on November 28, 1990.
Sec. 2. Legislature to enact regulatory laws. The legislature shall
provide by law for the proper development, ventilation, drainage and
operation of all mines in this state.
Sec. 3. Restrictions on employment in mines. [Repealed
November 7, 1978.]
This section was repealed by a resolution adopted by the 1977 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1978, and proclaimed in
effect on November 25, 1978.
ARTICLE 10
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Sec. 4. Right of action for injuries. For any injury to person or
property caused by wilful failure to comply with the provisions of this article,
or laws passed in pursuance hereof, a right of action shall accrue to the party
injured, for the damage sustained thereby, and in all cases in this state,
whenever the death of a person shall be caused by wrongful act, neglect or
default, such as would, if death had not ensued, have entitled the party
injured to maintain an action to recover damages in respect thereof, the
person who, or the corporation which would have been liable, if death had
not ensued, shall be liable to an action for damages notwithstanding the death
of the person injured, and the legislature shall provide by law at its first
session for the manner in which the right of action in respect thereto shall be
enforced.
Sec. 5. School of mines. The legislature may provide that the
science of mining and metallurgy be taught in one of the institutions of
learning under the patronage of the state.
Sec. 6. State geologist. [Repealed.]
This section was repealed by a resolution adopted by the 1989 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1990, and proclaimed in
effect on November 28, 1990.
ARTICLE 10
CORPORATIONS
Sec. 1. Creation. The legislature shall provide for the organization
of corporations by general law. All laws relating to corporations may be
altered, amended or repealed by the legislature at any time when necessary
for the public good and general welfare, and all corporations doing business
in this state may as to such business be regulated, limited or restrained by
law not in conflict with the constitution of the United States.
Sec. 2. Control by state. All powers and franchises of corporations
are derived from the people and are granted by their agent, the government,
for the public good and general welfare, and the right and duty of the state to
control and regulate them for these purposes is hereby declared. The power,
rights and privileges of any and all corporations may be forfeited by willful
neglect or abuse thereof. The police power of the state is supreme over all
corporations as well as individuals.
Sec. 3. Forfeited charters. [Executed.]
This section was executed and is now obsolete due to lapse of time.
ARTICLE 10
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Sec. 4. Damages for personal injuries or death; worker's
compensation.
(a) No law shall be enacted limiting the amount of damages to be
recovered for causing the injury or death of any person.
(b) Any section of this constitution to the contrary notwithstanding,
for any civil action where a person alleges that a health care provider's act or
omission in the provision of health care resulted in death or injury, the
legislature may by general law:
(i) Mandate alternative dispute resolution or review by a
medical review panel before the filing of a civil action against the
health care provider.
(c) Any contract or agreement with any employee waiving any
right to recover damages for causing the death or injury of any employee
shall be void. As to all extrahazardous employments the legislature shall
provide by law for the accumulation and maintenance of a fund or funds out
of which shall be paid compensation as may be fixed by law according to
proper classifications to each person injured in such employment or to the
dependent families of such as die as the result of such injuries, except in case
of injuries due solely to the culpable negligence of the injured employee.
The fund or funds shall be accumulated, paid into the state treasury and
maintained in such manner as may be provided by law. Monies in the fund
shall be expended only for compensation authorized by this section, for
administration and management of the Worker's Compensation Act, debt
service related to the fund and for workplace safety programs conducted by
the state as authorized by law. The right of each employee to compensation
from the fund shall be in lieu of and shall take the place of any and all rights
of action against any employer contributing as required by law to the fund in
favor of any person or persons by reason of the injuries or death. Subject to
conditions specified by law, the legislature may allow employments not
designated extrahazardous to be covered by the state fund at the option of
the employer. To the extent an employer elects to be covered by the state
fund and contributes to the fund as required by law, the employer shall enjoy
the same immunity as provided for extrahazardous employments.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1986 special session leg-
islature, ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1986, and
proclaimed in effect on November 18, 1986.
This section was again amended by a resolution adopted by the 1998 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 3, 1998, and
proclaimed in effect on November 10, 1998.
This section was again amended by a resolution adopted by the 2004 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 2004, and
proclaimed in effect on November 10, 2004.
Sec. 5. Acceptance of constitution. No corporation organized
under the laws of Wyoming Territory or any other jurisdiction than this state,
shall be permitted to transact business in this state until it shall have accepted
ARTICLE 10
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the constitution of this state and filed such acceptance in accordance with the
laws thereof.
Sec. 6. Engaging in more than one line of business. Corporations
shall have power to engage in such and as many lines or departments of
business as the legislature shall provide.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1959 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1960, and proclaimed in
effect on December 2, 1960. Prior to this amendment, corporations were limited to one general
line or department of business.
Sec. 7. What corporations are common carriers. All
corporations engaged in the transportation of persons, property, mineral oils,
and minerals products, news or intelligence, including railroads, telegraphs,
express companies, pipe lines and telephones, are declared to be common
carriers.
Sec. 8. Trusts prohibited. There shall be no consolidation or
combination of corporations of any kind whatever to prevent competition, to
control or influence productions or prices thereof, or in any other manner to
interfere with the public good and general welfare.
Sec. 9. Eminent domain. The right of eminent domain shall never
be so abridged or construed as to prevent the legislature from taking property
and franchises of incorporated companies and subjecting them to public use
the same as the property of individuals.
Sec. 10. Mutual and co-operative associations. The legislature
shall provide by suitable legislation for the organization of mutual and co-
operative associations or corporations.
Sec. 11. Powers and rights of railroads. Any railroad corporation
or association organized for the purpose, shall have the right to construct and
operate a railroad between any points within this state and to connect at the
state line with railroads of other states. Every railroad shall have the right
with its road to intersect, connect with or cross any other railroad, and all
railroads shall receive and transport each other's passengers, and tonnage and
cars, loaded or empty, without delay or discrimination.
Sec. 12. Discrimination by railroads and telegraph lines
forbidden. Railroad and telegraph lines heretofore constructed or that may
hereafter be constructed in this state are hereby declared public highways
and common carriers, and as such must be made by law to extend the same
equality and impartiality to all who use them, excepting employees and their
families and ministers of the gospel, whether individuals or corporations.
ARTICLE 10
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Sec. 13. Railroads to make annual reports to state auditor.
Every railroad corporation or association operating a line of railroad within
this state shall annually make a report to the auditor of state of its business
within this state, in such form as the legislature may prescribe.
Sec. 14. Eminent domain. Exercise of the power and right of
eminent domain shall never be so construed or abridged as to prevent the
taking by the legislature of property and franchises of incorporated
companies and subjecting them to public use the same as property of
individuals.
Sec. 15. Aid to railroads and telegraph lines prohibited. Neither
the state, nor any county, township, school district or municipality shall loan
or give its credit or make donations to or in aid of any railroad or telegraph
line; provided, that this section shall not apply to obligations of any county,
city, township or school district, contracted prior to the adoption of this
constitution.
Sec. 16. Acceptance of constitution by existing railroad,
transportation and telegraph companies. No railroad or other
transportation company or telegraph company in existence upon the adoption
of this constitution shall derive the benefit of any future legislation without
first filing in the office of the secretary of state an acceptance of the
provisions of this constitution.
Sec. 17. Rights of telegraph companies. Any association,
corporation or lessee of the franchises thereof organized for the purpose shall
have the right to construct and maintain lines of telegraph within this state,
and to connect the same with other lines.
Sec. 18. Foreign railroad or telegraph company must have
agent for service of process. No foreign railroad or telegraph line shall do
any business within this state without having an agent or agents within each
county through which such railroad or telegraph line shall be constructed
upon whom process may be served.
Sec. 19. Location of depots. No railroad company shall construct
or operate a railroad within four (4) miles of any existing town or city without
providing a suitable depot or stopping place at the nearest practicable point
for the convenience of said town or city, and stopping all trains doing local
business at said stopping place. No railroad company shall deviate from the
most direct practicable line in constructing a railroad for the purpose of
avoiding the provisions of this section.
ARTICLE 11
-- 47 --
ARTICLE 11
BOUNDARIES
Sec. 1. State boundaries. The boundaries of the State of Wyoming
shall be as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the twenty-seventh
meridian of longitude west from Washington with the forty-fifth degree of
north latitude, and running thence west to the thirty-fourth meridian of west
longitude, thence south to the forty-first degree of north latitude, thence east
to the twenty-seventh meridian of west longitude, and thence north to the
place of beginning.
ARTICLE 12
COUNTY ORGANIZATION
Sec. 1. Existing counties remain such. The several counties in the
Territory of Wyoming as they shall exist at the time of the admission of said
territory as a state, are hereby declared to be counties of the State of
Wyoming.
Sec. 2. Organization of new counties. The legislature shall
provide by general law for organizing new counties, locating the county seats
thereof temporarily and changing county lines. But no new county shall be
formed unless it shall contain within the limits thereof property of the
valuation of two million dollars, as shown by last preceding tax returns, and
not then unless the remaining portion of the old county or counties shall each
contain property of at least three million dollars of assessable valuation; and
no new county shall be organized nor shall any organized county be so
reduced as to contain a population of less than one thousand five hundred
bona fide inhabitants, and in case any portion of an organized county or
counties is stricken off to form a new county, the new county shall assume
and be holden for an equitable proportion of the indebtedness of the county
or counties so reduced. No county shall be divided unless a majority of the
qualified electors of the territory proposed to be cut off voting on the
proposition shall vote in favor of the division.
Sec. 3. Changing county seats. The legislature shall provide by
general law for changing county seats in organized counties, but it shall have
no power to remove the county seat of any organized county.
ARTICLE 13
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Sec. 4. Township organization. The legislature shall provide by
general law for a system of township organization and government, which
may be adopted by any county whenever a majority of the citizens thereof
voting at a general election shall so determine.
Sec. 5. County officers. The legislature shall provide by law for the
election of such county officers as may be necessary.
ARTICLE 13
MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS
Sec. 1. Incorporation; alteration of boundaries; merger;
consolidation; dissolution; determination of local affairs; classification;
referendum; liberal construction.
(a) The legislature shall provide by general law, applicable to all
cities and towns,
(i) For the incorporation of cities,
(ii) For the methods by which city and town boundaries
may be altered, and
(iii) For the procedures by which cities and towns may be
merged, consolidated or dissolved; provided that existing laws on
such subjects and laws pertaining to civil service, retirement,
collective bargaining, the levying of taxes, excises, fees, or any
other charges, whether or not applicable to all cities and towns on
the effective date of this amendment, shall remain in effect until
superseded by general law and such existing laws shall not be
subject to charter ordinance.
(b) All cities and towns are hereby empowered to determine their
local affairs and government as established by ordinance passed by the
governing body, subject to referendum when prescribed by the legislature,
and further subject only to statutes uniformly applicable to all cities and
towns, and to statutes prescribing limits of indebtedness. The levying of
taxes, excises, fees, or any other charges shall be prescribed by the
legislature. The legislature may not establish more than four (4) classes of
cities and towns. Each city and town shall be governed by all other statutes,
except as it may exempt itself by charter ordinance as hereinafter provided.
(c) Each city or town may elect that the whole or any part of any
statute, other than statutes uniformly applicable to all cities and towns and
statutes prescribing limits of indebtedness, may not apply to such city or
town. This exemption shall be by charter ordinance passed by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of all members elected to the governing body of the city or town.
Each such charter ordinance shall be titled and may provide that the whole
or any part of any statute, which would otherwise apply to such city or town
as specifically designated in the ordinance shall not apply to such city or
ARTICLE 13
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town. Such ordinance may provide other provisions on the same subject.
Every charter ordinance shall be published once each week for two
consecutive weeks in the official city or town newspaper, if any, otherwise
in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town. No charter
ordinance shall take effect until the sixtieth (60th) day after its final
publication. If prior thereto, a petition, signed by a number of qualified
electors of the city or town, equaling at least ten per cent (10%) of the number
of votes cast at the last general municipal election, shall be filed in the office
of the clerk of such city or town, demanding that such ordinance be submitted
to referendum, then the ordinance shall not take effect unless approved by a
majority of the electors voting thereon. Such referendum election shall be
called within thirty (30) days and held within ninety (90) days after the
petition is filed. An ordinance establishing procedures, and fixing the date of
such election shall be passed by the governing body and published once each
week for three (3) consecutive weeks in the official city or town newspaper,
if any, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town.
The question on the ballot shall be: "Shall Charter Ordinance No. .... Entitled
(stating the title of the ordinance) take effect?". The governing body may
submit, without a petition, any charter ordinance to referendum election
under the procedures as previously set out. The charter ordinance shall take
effect if approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon. An approved
charter ordinance, after becoming effective, shall be recorded by the clerk in
a book maintained for that purpose with a certificate of the procedures of
adoption. A certified copy of the ordinance shall be filed with the secretary
of state, who shall keep an index of such ordinances. Each charter ordinance
enacted shall prevail over any prior act of the governing body of the city or
town, and may be repealed or amended only by subsequent charter
ordinance, or by enactments of the legislature applicable to all cities and
towns.
(d) The powers and authority granted to cities and towns, pursuant
to this section, shall be liberally construed for the purpose of giving the
largest measure of self-government to cities and towns.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1971 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1972, and proclaimed in
effect on December 12, 1972.
Sec. 2. Consent of electors necessary. No municipal corporation
shall be organized without the consent of the majority of the electors residing
within the district proposed to be so incorporated, such consent to be
ascertained in the manner and under such regulations as may be prescribed
by law.
Sec. 3. Restriction on powers to levy taxes and contract debts.
The legislature shall restrict the powers of such corporations to levy taxes
and assessments, to borrow money and contract debts so as to prevent the
ARTICLE 14
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abuse of such power, and no tax or assessment shall be levied or collected or
debts contracted by municipal corporations except in pursuance of law for
public purposes specified by law.
Sec. 4. Franchises. No street passenger railway, telegraph,
telephone or electric light line shall be constructed within the limits of any
municipal organization without the consent of its local authorities.
Sec. 5. Acquisition of water rights. Municipal corporations shall
have the same right as individuals to acquire rights by prior appropriation
and otherwise to the use of water for domestic and municipal purposes, and
the legislature shall provide by law for the exercise upon the part of
incorporated cities, towns and villages of the right of eminent domain for the
purpose of acquiring from prior appropriators upon the payment of just
compensation, such water as may be necessary for the well being thereof and
for domestic uses.
ARTICLE 14
PUBLIC OFFICERS
Sec. 1. Stated salaries to be paid. All state, city, county, town and
school officers, (excepting justices of the peace and constables in precincts
having less than fifteen hundred population, and excepting court
commissioners, boards of arbitration and notaries public) shall be paid fixed
and definite salaries. The legislature shall, from time to time, fix the amount
of such salaries as are not already fixed by this constitution, which shall in
all cases be in proportion to the value of the services rendered and the duty
performed.
Sec. 2. Fees. The legislature shall provide by law the fees which
may be demanded by justices of the peace and constables in precincts having
less than fifteen hundred population, and of court commissioners, boards of
arbitration and notaries public, which fees the said officers shall accept as
their full compensation. But all other state, county, city, town and school
officers shall be required by law to keep a true and correct account of all fees
collected by them, and to pay the same into the proper treasury when
collected, and the officer whose duty it is to collect such fees shall be held
responsible, under his bond, for neglect to collect the same.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1989 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1990, and proclaimed in
effect on November 21, 1990.
Sec. 3. Legislature to designate county offices and fix salaries of
county officers. The legislature shall by law designate county offices and
ARTICLE 15
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shall, from time to time, fix the salaries of county officers, which shall in all
cases be in proportion to the value of the services rendered and the duties
performed.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1943 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1944, and proclaimed in
effect on December 6, 1944.
Sec. 4. Deputies. The legislature shall provide by general law for
such deputies as the public necessities may require, and shall fix their
compensation.
Sec. 5. Who are county officers referred to by section 3. Any
county officers performing the duties usually performed by the officers
named in this article shall be considered as referred to by section 3 of this
article, regardless of the title by which their offices may hereafter be
designated.
Sec. 6. Consolidation of offices. Whenever practicable the
legislature may, and whenever the same can be done without detriment to
the public service, shall consolidate offices in state, county and
municipalities respectively, and whenever so consolidated, the duties of such
additional office shall be performed under an ex officio title.
ARTICLE 15
TAXATION AND REVENUE
Sec. 1. Assessment of lands and improvements thereon. All
lands and improvements thereon shall be listed for assessment, valued for
taxation and assessed separately.
Sec. 2. Assessment of coal lands. All coal lands in the state from
which coal is not being mined shall be listed for assessment, valued for
taxation and assessed according to value.
Sec. 3. Taxation of mines and mining claims. All mines and
mining claims from which gold, silver and other precious metals, soda,
saline, coal, mineral oil or other valuable deposit, is or may be produced shall
be taxed in addition to the surface improvements, and in lieu of taxes on the
lands, on the gross product thereof, as may be prescribed by law; provided,
that the product of all mines shall be taxed in proportion to the value thereof.
Sec. 4. State levy limited. For state revenue, there shall be levied
annually a tax not to exceed four mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation
ARTICLE 15
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of the property in the state except for the support of state educational and
charitable institutions, the payment of the state debt and the interest thereon.
Sec. 5. County levies limited. For county revenue, there shall be
levied annually a tax not to exceed twelve mills on the dollar for all purposes
including general school tax, exclusive of state revenue, except for the
payment of its public debt and the interest thereon.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1967 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1968, and proclaimed in
effect on December 9, 1968.
Sec. 6. City levies limited. No incorporated city or town shall levy
a tax to exceed eight mills on the dollar in any one year, except for the
payment of its public debt and the interest thereon.
Sec. 7. Depositories for public moneys. All money belonging to
the state or to any county, city, town, village or other subdivision therein,
except as herein otherwise provided, shall, whenever practicable, be
deposited in a national bank or banks or in a bank or banks incorporated
under the laws of this state; provided, that the bank or banks in which such
money is deposited shall furnish security to be approved as provided by law;
and provided further, that such bank or banks shall pay the same rate of
interest on any money so deposited therein on time certificates of deposit by
the legal custodian or custodians of any such public moneys as such bank or
banks pay on time certificates of deposit of private depositors, and the
custodian or custodians of any such public moneys shall be authorized to
deposit same under time certificates of deposit as may be provided by law.
Such interest shall accrue to the fund from which it is derived.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1937 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1938, and proclaimed in
effect on January 3, 1939.
Sec. 8. Profit making from public funds prohibited. The making
of profit, directly or indirectly, out of state, county, city, town or school
district money or other public fund, or using the same for any purpose not
authorized by law, by any public officer, shall be deemed a felony, and shall
be punished as provided by law.
Sec. 9. Legislature to provide for state board of equalization.
The legislature shall provide by law for a state board of equalization.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1909 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1910, and proclaimed in
effect on December 12, 1910.
ARTICLE 15
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Sec. 10. Duties of state board of equalization. The duties of the
state board shall be to equalize the valuation on all property in the several
counties and such other duties as may be prescribed by law.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1985 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1986, and proclaimed in
effect on November 18, 1986.
Sec. 11. Uniformity of assessment required.
(a) All property, except as in this constitution otherwise provided,
shall be uniformly valued at its full value as defined by the legislature, in
three (3) classes as follows:
(i) Gross production of minerals and mine products in lieu
of taxes on the land where produced;
(ii) Property used for industrial purposes as defined by the
legislature; and
(iii) All other property, real and personal.
(b) The legislature shall prescribe the percentage of value which
shall be assessed within each designated class. All taxable property shall be
valued at its full value as defined by the legislature except agricultural and
grazing lands which shall be valued according to the capability of the land to
produce agricultural products under normal conditions. The percentage of
value prescribed for industrial property shall not be more than forty percent
(40%) higher nor more than four (4) percentage points more than the
percentage prescribed for property other than minerals.
(c) The legislature shall not create new classes or subclasses or
authorize any property to be assessed at a rate other than the rates set for
authorized classes.
(d) All taxation shall be equal and uniform within each class of
property. The legislature shall prescribe such regulations as shall secure a
just valuation for taxation of all property, real and personal.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1988 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1988, and proclaimed in
effect on November 21, 1988.
Sec. 12. Exemptions from taxation. The property of the United
States, the state, counties, cities, towns, school districts and municipal
corporations, when used primarily for a governmental purpose, and public
libraries, lots with the buildings thereon used exclusively for religious
worship, church parsonages, church schools and public cemeteries, shall be
exempt from taxation, and such other property as the legislature may by
general law provide.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1955 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1956, and proclaimed in
effect on December 29, 1956.
ARTICLE 15
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Sec. 13. Tax must be authorized by law; law to state object. No
tax shall be levied, except in pursuance of law, and every law imposing a tax
shall state distinctly the object of the same, to which only it shall be applied.
Sec. 14. Surrender of taxing power prohibited. The power of
taxation shall never be surrendered or suspended by any grant or contract to
which the state or any county or other municipal corporation shall be a party.
Sec. 15. State tax for support of public schools. For the support
of the public schools in the state there may be levied each year a state tax not
exceeding twelve mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation of the property
in the state.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1947 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1948, and proclaimed in
effect on December 1, 1948.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1981 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1982, and proclaimed in
effect on November 24, 1982.
Sec. 16. Disposition of fees, excises and license taxes on vehicles
and gasoline. No moneys derived from fees, excises, or license taxes levied
by the state and exclusive of registration fees and licenses or excise taxes
imposed by a county or municipality, relating to registration, operation or
use of vehicles on public highways, streets or alleys, or to fuels used for
propelling such vehicles, shall be expended for other than cost of
administering such laws, statutory refunds and adjustments allowed therein,
payment of highway obligations, costs for construction, reconstruction,
maintenance and repair of public highways, county roads, bridges, and
streets, alleys and bridges in cities and towns, and expense of enforcing state
traffic laws.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1953 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1954, and proclaimed in
effect on December 7, 1954.
Sec. 17. County levy for support and maintenance of public
schools. There shall be levied each year in each county of the state a tax of
not to exceed six (6) mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation of the
property in each county for the support and maintenance of the public
schools. This tax shall be collected by the county treasurer and disbursed
among the school districts within the county as the legislature shall provide.
The legislature may authorize boards of trustees of school districts to levy a
special tax on the property of the district. The legislature may also provide
for the distribution among one (1) or more school districts of any revenue
from the special school district property tax in excess of a state average yield,
which shall be calculated each year, per average daily membership.
ARTICLE 15
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This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1965 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1966, and proclaimed in
effect on January 17, 1967.
This section was amended again by a resolution adopted by the 1981 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1982, and
proclaimed in effect on November 24, 1982.
This section was amended again by a resolution adopted by the 2006 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 2006, and
proclaimed in effect on November 15, 2006.
Sec. 18. Full tax credit allowed against any liability arising from
a tax on income. No tax shall be imposed upon income without allowing
full credit against such tax liability for all sales, use, and ad valorem taxes
paid in the taxable year by the same taxpayer to any taxing authority in
Wyoming.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1973 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1974, and proclaimed in
effect on December 12, 1974.
Sec 19. Mineral excise tax; distribution. The Legislature shall
provide by law for an excise tax on the privilege of severing or extracting
minerals, of one and one-half percent (1 1/2%) on the value of the gross
product extracted. The minerals subject to such excise tax shall be coal,
petroleum, natural gas, oil shale, and such other minerals as may be
designated by the Legislature. Such tax shall be in addition to any other
excise, severance or ad valorem tax. The proceeds from such tax shall be
deposited in the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund. The fund,
including all monies deposited in the fund from whatever source, shall
remain inviolate. The monies in the fund shall be invested as prescribed by
the Legislature and all income from fund investments shall be deposited by
the State Treasurer in the general fund on an annual basis. The Legislature
may also specify by law, conditions and terms under which monies in the
fund may be loaned to political subdivisions of the state.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1974 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1974, and proclaimed in
effect on December 12, 1974.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 2006 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 2006, and proclaimed in
effect on November 15, 2006.
Sec. 20. Higher education trust funds; investments; earnings.
The legislature may from time to time place monies into endowment funds
for higher education scholarships and for improving the quality of higher
education, which funds shall remain inviolate. The earnings of the funds
shall be used for the purposes specified in this section, but the legislature
may from time to time by law regulate the manner in which the earnings are
expended. The legislature may also provide for use of the earnings to protect
the funds from inflation and to even fluctuations in earnings over time. The
ARTICLE 16
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funds may be invested in the same manner as other permanent funds of the
state.
This section was added by a resolution proposed by the 2006 legislature, ratified by
a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 2006, and proclaimed in effect
on November 15, 2006.
ARTICLE 16
PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS
Sec. 1. Limitation on state debt. The State of Wyoming shall not,
in any manner, create any indebtedness exceeding one per centum on the
assessed value of the taxable property in the state, as shown by the last
general assessment for taxation, preceding; except to suppress insurrection
or to provide for the public defense.
Sec. 2. Creation of state debt in excess of taxes for current year.
No debt in excess of the taxes for the current year, shall in any manner be
created in the State of Wyoming, unless the proposition to create such debt
shall have been submitted to a vote of the people and by them approved;
except to suppress insurrection or to provide for the public defense.
Sec. 3. Limitation on county debt. No county in the State of
Wyoming shall in any manner create any indebtedness, exceeding two per
centum on the assessed value of taxable property in such county, as shown
by the last general assessment, preceding; provided, however, that any
county, city, town, village or other subdivision thereof in the State of
Wyoming, may bond its public debt existing at the time of the adoption of
this constitution, in any sum not exceeding four per centum on the assessed
value of the taxable property in such county, city, town, village or other
subdivision, as shown by the last general assessment for taxation.
Sec. 4. Creation of county or municipal debt in excess of taxes
for current year. No debt in excess of the taxes for the current year shall, in
any manner, be created by any county or subdivision thereof, or any city,
town or village, or any subdivision thereof in the State of Wyoming, unless
the proposition to create such debt shall have been submitted to a vote of the
people thereof and by them approved.
Sec. 5. Limitation on municipal, county or school district debt.
No city or town shall in any manner create any indebtedness exceeding four
per cent (4%) of the assessed value of the taxable property therein, except
that an additional indebtedness of four per cent (4%) of the assessed value of
the taxable property therein may be created for sewage disposal systems.
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Indebtedness created for supplying water to cities or towns is excepted from
the limitation herein.
No county shall in any manner create any indebtedness exceeding
two per cent (2%) of the taxable property therein.
No school district shall in any manner create any indebtedness
exceeding ten per cent (10%) on the assessed value of the taxable property
therein for the purpose of acquiring land, erection, enlarging and equipping
of school buildings.
All limitations herein shall refer to the last preceding general
assessment.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1919, 1953, and 1961 leg-
islatures. The latest amendment was ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held
on November 6, 1962.
Sec. 6. Loan of credit; donations prohibited; works of internal
improvement.
(a) Neither the state nor any county, city, township, town, school
district, or any other political subdivision, shall:
(i) Loan or give its credit or make donations to or in aid
of any individual, association or corporation, except for necessary
support of the poor; or
(ii) Subscribe to or become the owner of the capital stock
of any association or corporation, except that:
(A) Funds of public employee retirement
systems and the permanent funds of the state of Wyoming
may be invested in such stock under conditions the
legislature prescribes;
(B) The legislature may provide by law for the
investment of funds not designated as permanent funds of
the state in the capital stock of any association or
corporation and may designate which of these funds may
be invested. The legislature may prescribe different
investment conditions for each fund. Any legislation
establishing or increasing the percentage of any fund that
may be invested under this subparagraph shall be passed
only by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the members of each
of the two (2) houses voting separately.
(C) The legislature may provide by law for the
investment of county, city, township, town, school district,
or any other political subdivision’s funds in the capital
stock of any association or corporation and may designate
which of these funds may be invested. The legislature may
prescribe different investment conditions for each type and
class of political subdivision and for each type of fund.
Any legislation establishing or increasing the percentage
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of any fund that may be invested under this subparagraph
shall be passed only by a two thirds (2/3) vote of all the
members of each of the two (2) houses voting separately.
(b) The state shall not engage in any work of internal improvement
unless authorized by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the people.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1984 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1984, and proclaimed in
effect on November 14, 1984.
This section was amended again by a resolution adopted by the 1996 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1996, and
proclaimed in effect on November 18, 1996.
This section was further amended by a resolution adopted by the 2015 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 2016, and pro-
claimed in effect on November 16, 2016.
This section was further amended by a resolution adopted by the 2021 legislature,
ratified by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 8, 2022, and pro-
claimed in effect on November 16, 2022.
Sec. 7. Payments of public money. No money shall be paid out of
the state treasury except upon appropriation by law and on warrant drawn by
the proper officer, and no bills, claims, accounts or demands against the state,
or any county or political subdivision, shall be audited, allowed or paid until
a full itemized statement in writing, certified to under penalty of perjury,
shall be filed with the officer or officers whose duty it may be to audit the
same.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1969 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 3, 1970, and proclaimed in
effect on December 3, 1970.
Sec. 8. Endorsements required on bonds and other evidences of
indebtedness. No bond or evidence of indebtedness of the state shall be valid
unless the same shall have endorsed thereon a certificate signed by the
auditor and secretary of state that the bond or evidence of debt is issued
pursuant to law and is within the debt limit. No bond or evidence of debt of
any county, or bond of any township or other political subdivision, shall be
valid unless the same [shall] have endorsed thereon a certificate signed by
the county auditor or other officer authorized by law to sign such certificate,
stating that said bond or evidence of debt is issued pursuant to law and is
within the debt limit.
Sec. 9. Construction and improvement of public roads and
highways. The provision of section 6 of article 16 of this constitution
prohibiting the state from engaging in any work of internal improvement
unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of the people shall not apply to or
affect the construction or improvement of public roads and highways; but
the legislature shall have power to provide for the construction and
improvement of public roads and highways in whole or in part by the state,
either directly or by extending aid to counties; and, notwithstanding said
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inhibition as to works of internal improvement, whenever grants of land or
other property shall have been made to the state, especially dedicated by the
grant to particular works of internal improvement, the state may carry on
such particular works and shall devote thereto the avails of such grants, and
may pledge or appropriate the revenues derived from such works in the aid
of their completion.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1915 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1916, and proclaimed in
effect on December 22, 1916.
Sec. 10. Construction and improvement of works for
conservation and utilization of water. The provisions of section 6 of article
16 of this constitution prohibiting the state from engaging in any work of
internal improvements, unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of the people,
shall not apply to or affect the construction or improvement of any works
designed, constructed or operated for the purposes of conservation or
utilization of water, but the legislature shall have the power to provide for
the construction or improvement in whole or in part, of any works designed,
constructed or operated for the purposes of conservation or utilization of
water, either directly or by extending aid to legal subdivisions of the State of
Wyoming, duly organized irrigation, drainage, soil conservation, and public
irrigation and power districts, and any public corporation legally organized
for the purposes of the conservation, distribution or utilization of water or
soil; and notwithstanding said inhibition as to works of internal
improvement, whenever grants of land or other property shall be made to the
state, especially dedicated by the grant to particular works of internal
improvement, the state may carry on such particular works of internal
improvement and shall devote thereto the avails of such grants, and may
likewise pledge or appropriate the revenues derived from such works in aid
of their completion.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1939 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 5, 1940, and proclaimed in
effect on December 6, 1940.
Sec. 11. Construction, maintenance and improvement of public
airports, aircraft landing strips and related facilities. The provisions of
section 6 of article XVI of this constitution prohibiting the state from
engaging in any work of internal improvement unless authorized by a two-
thirds vote of the people, shall not apply to or affect the construction,
maintenance or improvement of public airports, aircraft landing strips and
related facilities but the legislature shall have power to provide for the
construction, maintenance and improvement of public airports, aircraft
landing strips and related facilities, in whole or in part by the state, either
directly or by extending aid to its political subdivisions and, notwithstanding
said inhibition as to works of internal improvement, whenever grants of land
or other property shall have been made to the state, especially dedicated by
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the grant to particular works of internal improvement, the state may carry on
such particular works and shall devote thereto the avails of such grants, and
may pledge or appropriate the revenues derived from such works in the aid
of their completion and maintenance.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1947 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 1948, and proclaimed in
effect on December 1, 1948.
Sec. 12. Economic development loan fund.
(a) Notwithstanding Article 3, Section 36 and Article 16, Sections
1, 2 and 6 of this Constitution, the legislature, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
all the members of each of the two (2) houses voting separately, may
appropriate monies in an amount not exceeding one percent (1%) times the
assessed value of the taxable property in the state as shown by the last
preceding general assessment for taxation, to provide a revolving investment
fund to be used to promote and aid the economic development of the state.
(b) The investment fund created by this section shall be used to
provide fully-funded loan guarantees or loans to proposed or existing
enterprises which will employ people within the state, provide services
within the state, use resources within the state or otherwise add economic
value to goods, services or resources within the state.
(c) Monies within the revolving investment fund shall be loaned or
used to guarantee loans under such terms and conditions as the legislature
may by law direct.
(d) The cumulative total of monies appropriated to provide a
revolving investment fund shall never exceed one percent (1%) on the
assessed value of the taxable property in the state as shown by the last
preceding general assessment for taxation.
(e) Notwithstanding the limitation of subsection (d) of this section,
earnings on the revolving investment fund shall be added to the revolving
investment fund and shall be invested as provided in this section.
This section was added by an amendment proposed by the 1986 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 4, 1986, and proclaimed in
effect on November 18, 1986.
Sec. 13. Industrial and economic development; powers of
counties and municipalities. Notwithstanding any other provision in this
constitution, the legislature may authorize counties or incorporated
municipalities, to appropriate from local sources of revenue such funds as
may be deemed necessary for an economic or industrial development project
or program, public or private, subject to approval by a vote of the majority
of the registered voters of the county or municipality voting upon the
question. For purposes of this section, "funds from local sources of revenue"
means funds raised from general taxes levied by the county or municipality
and shall not include any funds received by the county or municipality which
are derived from state or federal sources.
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This section was added by a resolution proposed by the 2004 legislature, ratified by
a vote of the people at the general election held on November 2, 2004, and proclaimed in effect
on November 10, 2004.
ARTICLE 17
STATE MILITIA
Sec. 1. Of whom militia constituted. The militia of the state shall
consist of all able-bodied qualified residents of the state, and those
nonresidents who are accepted into service, between the ages of seventeen
(17) and seventy (70) years; except those exempted by the law of the United
States or of the state. But all residents having scruples of conscience averse
to bearing arms shall be excused therefrom upon conditions as shall be
prescribed by law.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1999 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 2000, and proclaimed in
effect on November 15, 2000.
Sec. 2. Legislature to provide for enrollment, equipment and
discipline. The legislature shall provide by law for the enrollment,
equipment and discipline of the militia to conform as nearly as practicable to
the regulations for the government of the armies of the United States.
Sec. 3. How officers commissioned. All militia officers shall be
commissioned by the governor, the manner of their selection to be provided
by law, and may hold their commission for such period of time as the
legislature may provide.
Sec. 4. Flags. No military organization under the laws of the state
shall carry any banner or flag representing any sect or society or the flag of
any nationality but that of the United States.
Sec. 5. Governor to be commander-in-chief; powers. The
governor shall be commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the state,
and shall have power to call out the militia to preserve the public peace, to
execute the laws of the state, to suppress insurrection or repel invasion.
ARTICLE 18
PUBLIC LANDS AND DONATIONS
Sec. 1. Acceptance of lands from United States; sale of such
lands. The State of Wyoming hereby agrees to accept the grants of lands
heretofore made, or that may hereafter be made by the United States to the
state, for educational purposes, for public buildings and institutions and for
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other objects, and donations of money with the conditions and limitations
that may be imposed by the act or acts of congress, making such grants or
donations. Such lands shall be disposed of only at public auction to the
highest responsible bidder, after having been duly appraised by the land
commissioners, at not less than three-fourths the appraised value thereof, and
for not less than $10 per acre; provided, that in the case of actual and bona
fide settlement and improvement thereon at the time of the adoption of this
constitution, such actual settler shall have the preference right to purchase
the land whereon he may have settled, not exceeding 160 acres at a sum not
less than the appraised value thereof, and in making such appraisement the
value of improvements shall not be taken into consideration. If, at any time
hereafter, the United States shall grant any arid lands in the state to the state,
on the condition that the state reclaim and dispose of them to actual settlers,
the legislature shall be authorized to accept such arid lands on such
conditions, or other conditions, if the same are practicable and reasonable.
Sec. 2. Application of proceeds of sale or rental. The proceeds
from the sale and rental of all lands and other property donated, granted or
received, or that may hereafter be donated, granted or received, from the
United States or any other source, shall be inviolably appropriated and
applied to the specific purposes specified in the original grant or gifts.
Sec. 3. Board of land commissioners. The governor, secretary of
state, state treasurer, state auditor and superintendent of public instruction
shall constitute a board of land commissioners, which under direction of the
legislature as limited by this constitution, shall have direction, control,
leasing and disposal of lands of the state granted, or which may be hereafter
granted for the support and benefit of public schools, subject to the further
limitations that the sale of all lands shall be at public auction, after such delay
(not less than the time fixed by congress) in portions at proper intervals of
time, and at such minimum prices (not less than the minimum fixed by
congress) as to realize the largest possible proceeds. And said board, subject
to the limitations of this constitution and under such regulations as may be
provided by law shall have the direction, control, disposition and care of all
lands that have been heretofore or may hereafter be granted to the state.
This section was amended by a resolution adopted by the 1921 legislature, ratified
by a vote of the people at the general election held on November 7, 1922, and proclaimed in
effect on December 20, 1922.
Sec. 4. Legislature to provide for disposition of lands. The
legislature shall enact the necessary laws for the sale, disposal, leasing or
care of all lands that have been or may hereafter be granted to the state, and
shall, at the earliest practicable period, provide by law for the location and
selection of all lands that have been or may hereafter be granted by congress
to the state, and shall pass laws for the suitable keeping, transfer and
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disbursement of the land grant funds, and shall require of all officers charged
with the same or the safekeeping thereof to give ample bonds for all moneys
and funds received by them.
Sec. 5. Special privileges prohibited. Except a preference right to
buy as in this constitution otherwise provided, no law shall ever be passed
by the legislature granting any privileges to persons who may have settled
upon any of the school lands granted to the state subsequent to the survey
thereof by the general government, by which the amount to be derived by the
sale or other disposition of such lands, shall be diminished directly or
indirectly.
Sec. 6. Disposition of unexpended income of perpetual school
fund. If any portion of the interest or income of the perpetual school fund be
not expended during any year, said portion shall be added to and become a
part of the said school fund.
ARTICLE 19
MISCELLANEOUS
LIVESTOCK
Sec. 1. Legislature to provide for protection of livestock and
stock owners. The legislature shall pass all necessary laws to provide for the
protection of livestock against the introduction or spread of pleuro-
pneumonia, glanders, splenetic or Texas fever, and other infectious or
contagious diseases. The legislature shall also establish a system of
quarantine, or inspection, and such other regulations as may be necessary for
the protection of stock owners, and most conducive to the stock interests
within the state.
CONCERNING LABOR
Sec. 2. Day's work. Eight (8) hours actual work shall constitute a
lawful day's work in all mines, and on all state and municipal works.
Sec. 3. Who shall not be employed on public works. No person
not a citizen of the United States or who has not declared his intention to
become such, shall be employed upon or in connection with any state, county
or municipal works or employment.
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Sec. 4. Legislature to provide for enforcement of section 3. The
legislature shall, by appropriate legislation, see that the provisions of the
foregoing section are enforced.
BOARDS OF ARBITRATION
Sec. 5. Legislature to establish courts of arbitration; duties.
[Repealed by Laws 1965.]
This section was repealed by a resolution of the 1965 legislature, ratified by a vote
of the people at the general election held on November 8, 1966, and proclaimed in effect on
January 17, 1967.
POLICE POWERS
Sec. 6. Importing armed bodies to suppress violence prohibited;
exception. No armed police force, or detective agency, or armed body, or
unarmed body of men, shall ever be brought into this state, for the
suppression of domestic violence, except upon the application of the
legislature, or executive, when the legislature cannot be convened.
LABOR CONTRACTS
Sec. 7. Contract exempting employer from liability for personal
injuries prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or
corporation, to require of its servants or employes as a condition of their
employment, or otherwise, any contract or agreement whereby such person,
company or corporation shall be released or discharged from liability or
responsibility, on account of personal injuries received by such servants or
employes, while in the service of such person, company or corporation, by
reason of the negligence of such person, company or corporation, or the
agents or employes thereof, and such contracts shall be absolutely null and
void.
ARBITRATION
Sec. 8. Legislature to provide for voluntary submission of
differences to arbitrators. The legislature may provide by law for the
voluntary submission of differences to arbitrators for determination and said
arbitrators shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by law;
but they shall have no power to render judgment to be obligatory on parties;
unless they voluntarily submit their matters of difference and agree to abide
the judgment of such arbitrators.
HOMESTEADS
ARTICLE 20
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Sec. 9. Exemption of homestead. A homestead as provided by law
shall be exempt from forced sale under any process of law, and shall not be
alienated without the joint consent of husband and wife, when that relation
exists; but no property shall be exempt from sale for taxes, or for the payment
of obligations contracted for the purchase of said premises, or for the erection
of improvements thereon.
INTOXICATING LIQUORS
Sec. 10. Intoxicating liquors. On and after the first day of March,
1935, the manufacture, sale and keeping for sale of malt, vinous or
spirituous liquors, wine, ale, porter, beer or any intoxicating drink, mixture
or preparation of like nature may be permitted in the State of Wyoming
under such regulation as the legislature may prescribe.
In 1917, the Prohibition amendment was passed and in 1933 this amendment, which
repealed Prohibition, was approved.
Sec. 11. Use of monies in public employee retirement funds
restricted. All monies from any source paid into any public employee
retirement system created by the laws of this state shall be used only for the
benefit of the members, retirees and beneficiaries of that system, including
the payment of system administrative costs.
This section was added by a resolution adopted by the 1990 legislature, ratified by
a vote of the people at the general election held on November 6, 1990, and proclaimed in effect
on November 21, 1990.
ARTICLE 20
AMENDMENTS
Sec. 1. How amendments proposed by legislature and
submitted to people. Any amendment or amendments to this constitution
may be proposed in either branch of the legislature, and, if the same shall be
agreed to by two-thirds of all the members of each of the two houses, voting
separately, such proposed amendment or amendments shall, with the yeas
and nays thereon, be entered on their journals, and it shall be the duty of the
legislature to submit such amendment or amendments to the electors of the
state at the next general election, and cause the same to be published without
delay for at least twelve (12) consecutive weeks, prior to said election, in at
least one newspaper of general circulation, published in each county, and if
a majority of the electors shall ratify the same, such amendment or
amendments shall become a part of this constitution.
Sec. 2. How two or more amendments voted on. If two or more
amendments are proposed, they shall be submitted in such manner that the
electors shall vote for or against each of them separately.
ARTICLE 21
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Sec. 3. Constitutional convention. Whenever two-thirds of the
members elected to each branch of the legislature shall deem it necessary to
call a convention to revise or amend this constitution, they shall recommend
to the electors to vote at the next general election for or against a convention,
and if a majority of all the electors voting at such election shall have voted
for a convention, the legislature shall at the next session provide by law for
calling the same; and such convention shall consist of a number of members,
not less than double that of the most numerous branch of the legislature.
Sec. 4. Constitution adopted by convention to be submitted to
people. Any constitution adopted by such convention shall have no validity
until it has been submitted to and adopted by the people.
ARTICLE 21
SCHEDULE
Sec. 1. Acquired rights continue. That no inconvenience may
arise from a change of the territorial government to a permanent state
government, it is declared that all writs, actions, prosecutions, claims,
liabilities and obligations against the Territory of Wyoming, of whatever
nature, and rights of individuals, and of bodies corporate, shall continue as
if no change had taken place in this government, and all process which may,
before the organization of the judicial department under this constitution, be
issued under the authority of the Territory of Wyoming, shall be as valid as
if issued in the name of the state.
Sec. 2. Territorial property vested in state. All property, real and
personal, and all moneys, credits, claims and choses in action, belonging to
the Territory of Wyoming, at the time of the adoption of this constitution,
shall be vested in and become the property of the State of Wyoming.
Sec. 3. Territorial laws become state laws. All laws now in force
in the Territory of Wyoming, which are not repugnant to this constitution,
shall remain in force until they expire by their own limitation, or be altered
or repealed by the legislature.
ARTICLE 21
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Sec. 4. Accrued fines go to state. All fines, penalties, forfeitures
and escheats, accruing to the Territory of Wyoming, shall accrue to the use
of the state.
Sec. 5. State to sue on bonds and prosecute crimes. All
recognizances, bonds, obligations or other undertakings heretofore taken, or
which may be taken before the organization of the judicial department under
this constitution shall remain valid, and shall pass over to and may be
prosecuted in the name of the state, and all bonds, obligations or other
undertakings executed to this territory, or to any officer in his official
capacity, shall pass over to the proper state authority and to their successors
in office, for the uses therein respectively expressed, and may be sued for
and recovered accordingly. All criminal prosecutions and penal actions
which have arisen or which may arise before the organization of the judicial
department under this constitution, and which shall then be pending, may be
prosecuted to judgment and execution in the name of the state.
Sec. 6. Territorial officers to hold over. All officers, civil and
military, holding their offices and appointments in this territory, under the
authority of the United States or under the authority of this territory, shall
continue to hold and exercise their respective offices and appointments until
suspended under this constitution.
Sec. 7. Submission of constitution. This constitution shall be
submitted for adoption or rejection to a vote of the qualified electors of this
territory, at an election to be held on the first Tuesday in November, A. D.
1889. Said election, as nearly as may be, shall be conducted in all respects
in the same manner as provided by the laws of the territory for general
elections, and the returns thereof shall be made to the secretary of said
territory, who with the governor and chief justice thereof, or any two of them,
shall canvass the same, and if a majority of the legal votes cast shall be for
the constitution the governor shall certify the result to the president of the
United States, together with a statement of the votes cast thereon and a copy
of said constitution, articles, propositions and ordinances. At the said
election the ballots shall be in the following form: "For the constitution--Yes.
No." And as a heading to each of said ballots, shall be printed on each ballot
the following instructions to voters: "All persons who desire to vote for the
constitution may erase the word 'No.' All persons who desire to vote against
the constitution may erase the word 'Yes.'" Any person may have printed or
written on his ballot only the words: "For the Constitution," or "Against the
Constitution," and such ballots shall be counted for or against the
constitution accordingly.
ARTICLE 21
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Sec. 8. When constitution takes effect. This constitution shall take
effect and be in full force immediately upon the admission of the territory as
a state.
Sec. 9. First state election; time of holding; proclamation.
Immediately upon the admission of the territory as a state, the governor of
the territory, or in case of his absence or failure to act, the secretary of the
territory, or in case of his absence or failure to act, the president of this
convention, shall issue a proclamation, which shall be published and a copy
thereof mailed to the chairman of the board of county commissioners of each
county, calling an election by the people for all state, district and other
officers, created and made elective by this constitution, and fixing a day for
such election, which shall not be less than forty days after the date of such
proclamation nor more than ninety days after the admission of the territory
as a state.
Sec. 10. First state election; duty of county commissioners; who
may vote; conduct of election. The board of commissioners of the several
counties shall thereupon order such election for said day, and shall cause
notice thereof to be given, in the manner and for the length of time provided
by the laws of the territory in cases of general elections for delegate to
congress, and county and other officers. Every qualified elector of the
territory at the date of said election shall be entitled to vote thereat. Said
election shall be conducted in all respects in the same manner as provided by
the laws of the territory for general elections, and the returns thereof shall be
made to the canvassing board hereinafter provided for.
Sec. 11. First state election; board of canvassers. The governor,
secretary of the territory and president of this convention, or a majority of
them, shall constitute a board of canvassers to canvass the vote of such
election for member of congress, all state and district officers and members
of the legislature. The said board shall assemble at the seat of government of
the territory on the thirtieth day after the day of such election (or on the
following day if such day fall on Sunday) and proceed to canvass the votes
for all state and district officers and members of the legislature, in the manner
provided by the laws of the territory for canvassing the vote for delegate to
congress, and they shall issue certificates of election to the persons found to
be elected to said offices, severally, and shall make and file with the secretary
of the territory an abstract certified by them of the number of votes cast for
each person, for each of said offices, and of the total number of votes cast in
each county.
Sec. 12. When officers shall qualify; oaths; bonds. All officers
elected at such election, except members of the legislature, shall, within
thirty days after they have been declared elected, take the oath required by
ARTICLE 21
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this constitution, and give the same bond required by law of the territory to
be given in case of like officers of the territory or district, and shall thereupon
enter upon the duties of their respective offices; but the legislature may
require by law all such officers to give other or further bonds as a condition
of their continuance in office.
Sec. 13. First state legislature. The governor elect of the state,
immediately upon his qualifying and entering upon the duties of his office,
shall issue his proclamation convening the legislature of the state at the seat
of government, on a day to be named in said proclamation, and which shall
not be less than thirty nor more than sixty days after the date of such
proclamation. Within ten days after the organization of the legislature, both
houses of the legislature, in joint session, shall then there proceed to elect, as
provided by law, two senators of the United States for the State of Wyoming.
At said election the two persons who shall receive the majority of all the
votes cast by said senators and representatives shall be elected as such United
States senators, and shall be so declared by the presiding officers of said joint
session. The presiding officers of the senate and house shall issue a certificate
to each of said senators, certifying his election, which certificates shall also
be signed by the governor and attested by the secretary of state.
Sec. 14. Laws to be passed. The legislature shall pass all necessary
laws to carry into effect the provisions of this constitution.
Sec. 15. Transfer of pending causes, records and seal of courts.
Whenever any two of the judges of the supreme court of the state, elected
under the provisions of this constitution, shall have qualified in their offices,
the causes then pending in the supreme court of the territory, and the papers,
records and proceedings of said court, and the seal and other property
pertaining thereto, shall pass into the jurisdiction and possession of the
supreme court of the state; and until so superseded the supreme court of the
territory and the judges thereof shall continue with like powers and
jurisdiction, as if this constitution had not been adopted. Whenever the judge
of the district court of any district, elected under the provisions of this
constitution, shall have qualified in office, the several causes then pending
in the district court of the territory, within any county in such district, and
the records, papers and proceedings of said district court and the seal and
other property pertaining thereto, shall pass into the jurisdiction and
possession of the district court of the state for such county; and until the
district courts of this territory shall be superseded in the manner aforesaid,
the said district courts and the judges thereof shall continue with the same
jurisdiction and power to be exercised in the same judicial districts
respectively as heretofore constituted under the laws of the territory.
ARTICLE 21
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Sec. 16. Court seals. Until otherwise provided by law the seals now
in use in the supreme and district courts of this territory are hereby declared
to be the seals of the supreme and district courts, respectively, of the state.
Sec. 17. Transfer of causes and records from probate courts to
district courts. Whenever this constitution shall go into effect, records and
papers and proceedings of the probate court in each county, and all causes
and matters of administration and other matters pending therein, shall pass
into the jurisdiction and possession of the district court of the same county,
and the said district court shall proceed to final decree or judgment order or
other determination in the said several matters and causes, as the said probate
court might have done if this constitution had not been adopted.
Sec. 18. How legislature chosen. Senators and members of the
house of representatives shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the
several senatorial and representative districts as established in this
constitution, until such districts shall be changed by law, and thereafter by
the qualified electors of the several districts as the same shall be established
by law.
Sec. 19. Duration of terms of territorial county and precinct
officers. All county and precinct officers who may be in office at the time of
the adoption of this constitution, shall hold their respective offices for the
full time for which they may have been elected, and until such time as their
successors may be elected and qualified, as may be provided by law, and the
official bonds of all such officers shall continue in full force and effect as
though this constitution had not been adopted.
Sec. 20. Terms of state officers first elected. Members of the
legislature and all state officers, district and supreme judges elected at the
first election held under this constitution shall hold their respective offices
for the full term next ensuing such election, in addition to the period
intervening between the date of their qualification and the commencement
of such full term.
Sec. 21. Regular session of legislature following first session. If
the first session of the legislature under this constitution shall be concluded
within twelve months of the time designated for a regular session thereof,
then the next regular session following said special session shall be omitted.
Sec. 22. Regular election following first session of legislature to
be omitted. The first regular election that would otherwise occur following
the first session of the legislature, shall be omitted, and all county and
precinct officers elected at the first election held under this constitution shall
hold their office for the full term thereof, commencing at the expiration of
ARTICLE 21
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the term of the county and precinct officers then in office, or the date of their
qualification.
Sec. 23. Why constitution framed. This convention does hereby
declare on behalf of the people of the Territory of Wyoming, that this
constitution has been prepared and submitted to the people of the Territory
of Wyoming for their adoption or rejection, with no purpose of setting up or
organizing a state government until such time as the congress of the United
States shall enact a law for the admission of the Territory of Wyoming as a
state under its provisions.
ORDINANCES
The following article [sections] shall be irrevocable without the
consent of the United States and the people of this state:
Sec. 24. State part of United States. The State of Wyoming is an
inseparable part of the federal union and the constitution of the United States
is the supreme law of the land.
Sec. 25. Religious liberty. Perfect toleration of religious sentiment
shall be secured, and no inhabitant of this state shall ever be molested in
person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship.
Sec. 26. Ownership of certain lands disclaimed; restriction on
taxation of nonresidents. The people inhabiting this state do agree and
declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated
public lands lying within the boundaries thereof, and to all lands lying within
said limits owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes, and that until the
title thereto shall have been extinguished by the United States, the same shall
be and remain subject to the disposition of the United States and that said
Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the
congress of the United States; that the lands belonging to the citizens of the
United States residing without this state shall never be taxed at a higher rate
than the lands belonging to residents of this state; that no taxes shall be
imposed by this state on lands or property therein, belonging to, or which
may hereafter be purchased by the United States, or reserved for its use. But
nothing in this article shall preclude this state from taxing as other lands are
taxed, any lands owned or held by any Indian who has severed his tribal
relations, and has obtained from the United States or from any person, a title
thereto, by patent or other grant, save and except such lands as have been or
may be granted to any Indian or Indians under any acts of congress
containing a provision exempting the lands thus granted from taxation,
which last mentioned lands shall be exempt from taxation so long, and to
ARTICLE 21
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such an extent, as is, or may be provided in the act of congress granting the
same.
Sec. 27. Territorial liabilities assumed. All debts and liabilities of
the Territory of Wyoming shall be assumed and paid by this state.
Sec. 28. Legislature to provide for public schools. The legislature
shall make laws for the establishment and maintenance of systems of public
schools which shall be open to all the children of the state and free from
sectarian control.
Done in open convention, at the City of Cheyenne, in the Territory
of Wyoming, this 30th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty-nine.
Attested:
MELVILLE C. BROWN, JOHN K. JEFFREY,
President. Secretary.
GEO. W. BAXTER, H. G. NICKERSON,
A. C. CAMPBELL, A. L. SUTHERLAND,
J. A. CASEBEER, W. E. CHAPLIN,
C. D. CLARK, JONATHAN JONES,
HENRY A. COFFEEN, JOHN L. RUSSELL,
ASBURY B. CONAWAY, GEO. W. FOX,
HENRY S. ELLIOTT, FRANK M. FOOTE,
MORTIMER N. GRANT, CHAS. H. BURRITT
HENRY G. HAY, CHAS. N. POTTER,
FREDERICK H. HARVEY, D. A. PRESTON,
MARK HOPKINS, JOHN A. RINER,
JOHN W. HOYT, GEO. C. SMITH,
WM. C. IRVINE, H. E. TESCHEMACHER,
JAMES A. JOHNSTON, C. L. VAGNER,
JESSE KNIGHT, THOS. R. REID,
ELLIOTT N. MORGAN, ROBT. C. BUTLER
EDWARD J. MORRIS, C. W. BURDICK,
JOHN M. MCCANDLISH, DE FOREST RICHARDS,
HERMAN F. MENOUGH, MEYER FRANK,
CALEB P. ORGAN, M. C. BARROW,
LOUIS J. PALMER, RICHARD H. SCOTT,
C. W. HOLDEN.
NOTABLE FACTS ABOUT WYOMING
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NOTABLE FACTS ABOUT WYOMING
NAME
The name “Wyoming” was probably brought to the west by
pioneers from the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. The word descends
from the Native American word mecheweamiing meaning “at the big plains”
or “mountains and valleys alternating.” It was first used to describe this area
in 1865, when a congressman from Ohio proposed the creation of a territory
from portions of the existing Dakota, Utah, and Idaho Territories.
TERRITORY
Wyoming Territory was created by an Act of Congress on July 25,
1868. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed John A. Campbell as the first
Territorial Governor, who took office on April 15, 1869. The first Territorial
Legislature met in Cheyenne in October of the same year, famously passing
the first law in the country that granted equal voting rights to women, as well
as the opportunity to hold public office. The bill was signed by the Governor
on December 10, 1869.
CONSTITUTION AND STATEHOOD
In 1889, the last Territorial Governor (and first State Governor),
Francis E. Warren, called for the election of delegates to a Constitutional
Convention in Cheyenne. The initial version of this Constitution was passed
by the convention on September 30, 1889 and then ratified by the voters on
November 5, 1889. The Constitution included unique provisions for the
equal civic rights of women, and water laws that were revolutionary at the
time. Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890 when President
William H. Harrison signed the Statehood Bill passed by Congress.
GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
The Great Seal of the State of Wyoming was adopted in its present
form by the Second Legislature, in 1893, and revised in 1921 by the
Sixteenth Legislature. The Secretary of State is the Custodian of the Great
Seal, which is a representation of the authority and sovereignty of the State
of Wyoming
STATE MOTTO
“Equal Rights,” as used on the Great Seal, is the official motto of
Wyoming.
NOTABLE FACTS ABOUT WYOMING
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STATE FLAG
The State Flag was adopted by the Fourteenth Legislature on
January 31, 1917. It was designed by Miss Verna Keays, of Buffalo,
Wyoming, for a contest conducted by the Wyoming Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
BUCKING HORSE AND RIDER
The “Bucking Horse and Rider” logo is a trademark of the Secretary
of State and has early 20th century associations with the Wyoming National
Guard and with University of Wyoming sports. It has been used continuously
on Wyoming license plates since 1936 and serves as an insignia for the state.
STATE FLOWER
The Indian Paint Brush (Castilleja linariaefolia) became the State
Flower in 1917.
STATE BIRD
The Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) became the State Bird in
1927.
WYOMING DAY
The Twenty-Third Legislature designated December 10th of each
year as “Wyoming Day” in 1935.
STATE TREE
The Plains Cottonwood (Populus sargentii), became the State Tree
in 1947.
STATE SONG
Wyoming (words by C.E. Winter and music by G.E. Knapp)
became the State Song in 1955.
STATE GEMSTONE
Jade (Nephrite) became the State Gemstone of Wyoming in 1967.
NOTABLE FACTS ABOUT WYOMING
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STATE MAMMAL
The American Bison (Bison bison), commonly known as the
buffalo, became the State Mammal in 1985.
STATE FISH
The Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki) became the State Fish in 1987.
STATE FOSSIL
The fossilized fish Knightia, became the State Fossil in 1987.
STATE REPTILE
The Eastern Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi
brevirostre (Girad)), commonly known as the horned toad, became the State
Reptile in 1993.
STATE DINOSAUR
The dinosaur Triceratops became the State Dinosaur in 1994.
STATE SPORT
Rodeo became the State Sport in 2003.
STATE COIN
The Sacagawea Golden Dollar Coin became State Coin in 2004.
STATE GRASS
Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) became the State Grass
in 2007.
STATE INSECT
Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak Butterfly (Callophrys sheridanii)
became the State Insect in 2009.
NOTABLE FACTS ABOUT WYOMING
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STATE CODE
The code of the west, as derived from the book Cowboy Ethics by
James P. Owen, and summarized as follows, was adopted as the Official
State Code in 2010.
Live each day with courage;
Take pride in your work;
Always finish what you start;
Do what has to be done;
Be tough, but fair;
When you make a promise, keep it;
Ride for the brand;
Talk less, say more;
Remember that some things are not for sale;
Know where to draw the line.
STATE SHRUB
Wyoming Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) be-
came the State Shrub in 2016.
-- 77 --
INDEX TO CONSTITUTION Page
Absent Voter Ballots .................................................................................. 37
Airports ...................................................................................................... 60
Amendments .............................................................................................. 65
Apportionment – Congressional Representation........................................ 19
Apportionment - Legislative ................................................................ 10, 19
Arbitration .................................................................................................. 64
Auditor ................................................................................................. 24, 25
Bill of Rights ................................................................................................ 5
Boundaries, State ....................................................................................... 47
Bribery ....................................................................................................... 18
Bucking Horse & Rider ............................................................................. 74
Buildings, Public ........................................................................................ 41
Charitable Institution ................................................................................. 40
Commutation, Power of ....................................................................... 21, 23
Constitution, Submission of ....................................................................... 67
Control, Board of ....................................................................................... 42
Corporations............................................................................................... 43
Corporations, Municipal ............................................................................ 48
County Offices and Salaries ....................................................................... 51
County Organization .................................................................................. 47
Declaration of Rights ................................................................................... 5
Distribution of Powers ............................................................................... 10
Domestic Relations Courts ........................................................................ 33
Education ................................................................................................... 37
Elections .................................................................................................... 33
Elective Franchise, Exclusions .................................................................. 34
Equalization, Board of ............................................................................. 53
Examination ............................................................................................... 25
Executive Department ................................................................................ 22
Geologist, State .......................................................................................... 43
Governor .................................................................................. 22, 23, 24, 25
Homestead, Exemption .............................................................................. 65
Indebtedness, Public .................................................................................. 56
Initiative and Referendum .......................................................................... 20
Intoxicating Liquors ................................................................................... 65
Irrigation and Water Rights ....................................................................... 42
Judicial Conduct and Ethics ....................................................................... 28
Judicial Department ................................................................................... 25
Juvenile Delinquency ................................................................................. 33
Labor .......................................................................................................... 64
Lands, Public ............................................................................................. 62
Legislative Department ........................................................................ 10, 69
Legislative Department - Apportionment ............................................ 10, 19
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Legislative Department – Deisgnate County Offices and Salaries of County
Officers .................................................................................................. 51
Legislature - Vacancy ................................................................................ 20
Legislature Qualifications .......................................................................... 10
Livestock .................................................................................................... 63
Military ...................................................................................................... 61
Militia, State............................................................................................... 61
Mines and Mining ...................................................................................... 43
Municipal Corporations ............................................................................. 48
Oath of Office ...................................................................................... 36, 37
Officers, Public - Salaries .......................................................................... 50
Officers, State ...................................................................................... 24, 25
Ordinances ................................................................................................. 71
Penal Institutions .................................................................................. 40, 41
Permanent Funds ........................................................................................ 58
Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund ................................................. 55
Police Powers ............................................................................................. 64
Powers, Distribution of .............................................................................. 10
Preamble ...................................................................................................... 5
Public Buildings ......................................................................................... 41
Public Health and Morals ........................................................................... 41
Public Indebtedness ................................................................................... 56
Public Lands .............................................................................................. 62
Public Officers ........................................................................................... 50
Public Schools – Tax For Support of ......................................................... 54
Qualifications for Office ...................................................................... 22, 24
Railroads .............................................................................................. 46, 47
Referendum and Initiative .......................................................................... 20
Revenue and Taxation................................................................................ 52
Rights, Bill of ............................................................................................... 5
Salaries ....................................................................................................... 50
Schedule of Implementation ...................................................................... 66
Schools ................................................................................................. 37, 55
Seal, State ............................................................................................ 25, 74
Secretary of State ................................................................................. 24, 25
State Engineer ............................................................................................ 42
State Militia................................................................................................ 61
State Symbols ............................................................................................ 74
Suffrage ...................................................................................................... 33
Superintendent of Public Instruction .................................................... 25, 40
Taxation and Revenue................................................................................ 52
Telegraph Companies ................................................................................ 46
Treasurer ........................................................................................ 24, 25, 55
University .................................................................................................. 40
Vacancies, Legislature ............................................................................... 20
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Veto - Governor ......................................................................................... 24
Water Rights and Irrigation ....................................................................... 42
Water Works .............................................................................................. 59
Wyoming Day ............................................................................................ 75
