Casper Judge Hears Constitutional Case

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A federal judge must decide whether two laws the state of Wyoming adopted this year restricting data collection on open lands violate the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl of Casper heard arguments Friday on the state's request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the laws.

The groups opposing the laws are the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Center for Food Safety, National Press Photographers Association, Natural Resources Defense Council and Western Watersheds Project.

They claim the laws unconstitutionally prohibit their members from reporting concerns to government agencies about pollution and the treatment of animals, even on public lands.

A lawyer for the state argued the groups haven't shown they've been injured by the laws and that they have no right to trespass to collect data.