Camo at the Capitol: Representative Byron brings back the Wyoming Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus

CHEYENNE, WY – As the Wyoming Legislature finishes its fifth week of the session, Representative Andrew Byron (HD-22) is pleased to share key developments, including the meaningful success behind the “Camo at the Capitol” event and ongoing legislative efforts regarding property tax relief.

Camo at the Capitol: Reviving the Wyoming Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus

Byron’s highlight of the week was the “Camo at the Capitol” event, which brought hunters and anglers from across Wyoming to the Capitol to engage with legislators and learn about the legislative process. 

“In conjunction with this event, I have committed to reinvigorating the Wyoming Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus on the House side,” said Representative Byron. “Sportswomen and sportsmen who participate in the legislative process, testify, and engage with Senators and Representatives are critical to protecting all the recreational opportunities that we love in Wyoming. It is our duty to take care of our land, habitat, forests, and rivers for future generations.”

To ensure that politics does not interfere with Wyoming as a recreational paradise, Byron believes it is important for outdoorsmen to be involved at all levels of the legislative process. As noted in a recent Cowboy State Daily article, when Representative Byron first joined the Legislature two years ago, he was “shocked by how few of his fellow legislators had hunted and killed elk the previous fall.” This highlights the need for recreationists who participate in the activities in question to provide valuable experience and information to legislators.

A key advantage of Wyoming’s Citizen Legislature is the ability to have professionals from all walks of life – educators, doctors, and even fishing guides – participate as lawmakers and incorporate their specialized knowledge into the law-making process. As the owner of a fishing guide business, Byron has brought invaluable expertise to legislation surrounding hunting, fishing, and outdoor access.

Property Tax Relief Update

Senate File 69 - Homeowner Property Tax Exemption has been amended by the House. As the legislation continues to evolve, it is scheduled for its third reading next week. Representative Byron noted that the original bill would have negatively impacted Lincoln and Teton counties, threatening funding for education and town and county governments.

Without the amendments representative Byron worked tirelessly on with his colleagues, all the essential services we depend on, including law enforcement, fire/EMS, road and levy, and special districts would have had to make serious cuts to personnel and budgets.

“This is a very complicated piece of legislation, but it is improving as we work through it,” Byron said. “I expect new amendments and cleanup provisions on third reading to ensure it meets the needs of our communities.”

This past week also marked the beginning of crossover, a critical phase in the legislative process where Senate bills are sent to the House and vice versa. 

As Chairman of the House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee, Representative Byron has overseen a steady workload of Senate Files. The committee has worked diligently to review and pass the majority of legislation under its consideration.

For more updates on Representative Byron’s work and upcoming legislative discussions, please visit the Wyoming Legislature’s website or contact his office directly.

For questions and comments, please contact Representative Byron at: Andrew.Byron@wyoleg.gov

Sincerely,

Andrew P. Byron