Senate Committee Advances Special Session Bill

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming Senate committee has approved a bill to pay for a special legislative session if one is necessary to deal with fallout from the recent state Supreme Court decision in the superintendent of public instruction case.

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to recommend approval of $50,000 to fund the special session. The bill still would need approval in the full Senate and House.

The court recently ruled 3-2 that a law enacted last year taking away many of the superintendent's duties was unconstitutional. The Wyoming Attorney General's Office has asked the court to reconsider and the matter may still go before a district court for more proceedings.

Republican Sen. Eli Bebout, of Riverton, said he hopes a special session isn't necessary but says the Legislature must be ready.