Wyoming Legislature: Advance of Key Bills on Livestock Identification and U.S. Beef Labeling

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Legislature has taken significant steps in addressing key
agricultural and consumer issues, with two critical bills passing the Senate Agriculture,
State and Public Lands, and Water Resources Committee. These bills, sponsored by Senator
Cheri Steinmetz, reinforce Wyoming’s commitment to supporting its livestock industry
and ensuring transparency for consumers purchasing U.S.A. beef.
Senator Steinmetz, who represents Senate District 3, has been a strong advocate for
Wyoming’s agriculture industry and rural communities. She is dedicated to preserving the
rights of local producers and enhancing consumer confidence through clear product
labeling.
Key Legislative Advancements
Senate File 0064 – Wyoming Opposes Mandatory Electronic ID Devices (EID) for
Livestock
This bill establishes that Wyoming livestock producers have the right to continue using
historically reliable, affordable, and voluntary methods of livestock identification, such as
brands, backtags, tattoos, and ear tags. It also reinforces the confidentiality of producer
information as outlined in Wyoming Statute 11-18-117. Wyoming’s livestock board has
supported this effort by passing resolutions opposing the federal mandatory EID rule
implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. SF0064 has passed the Senate
Agriculture Committee and will move to the Senate floor for further debate.
Senate File 0084 – Country of Origin Labeling for U.S. Beef
SF0084 mandates that beef products born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S.A.
must be labeled accordingly to provide consumers with transparency and assurance.
Acceptable labels include “Product of the U.S.A.” or region-specific alternatives such as
“Wyoming Beef” or “Local Beef.” This legislation aims to promote consumer awareness and
support domestic beef producers. The bill passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and
will be considered on the Senate floor.
Additional Legislative Updates
Several other bills have successfully passed the Wyoming Senate and moved to the House
for further consideration, including:
● SF0043 – Temporary Water Use Agreements: Limits temporary water use
agreements to a maximum of ten years to prevent their use as de facto permanent
transfers.
● SF0033 – Non-Citizen Driver’s License Identification: Requires non-citizen
driver’s licenses to be marked with “Not U.S.” to aid in identification and prevent
voting-related confusion.
● SF0072 – Summer Preservation Act: Establishes a reduced school year that starts
after Labor Day and ends before Memorial Day.
● SF0044 – Fairness in Sports Act: Mandates that student-athletes’ gender eligibility
be determined by their birth certificates to preserve fairness in women’s sports.
● SF0063 – State Lands Fencing Requirements: Ensures state lands contribute
equally to partition fencing costs with neighboring landowners.
● SF0080 – Water Rights Abandonment Protections: Provides an extension process
for water rights affected by infrastructure rehabilitation and repair projects.
● Property Tax Bills: There are several bills dealing with property taxes which still
need further vetting. I will have a separate overview on this topic later in the week.
Bills That Did Not Advance
● SF0021 – Ban on Cellphones in Schools: Failed to pass, leaving the decision to
local school boards.
● SF0014 – Imagination Library Program: A proposal to provide preschool books to
households did not advance.
Stay Informed
Wyoming citizens are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with the legislative process
by tracking bills, contacting your legislators and watching live sessions at wyoleg.gov.