During the Wyoming Legislature’s “interim” session this summer and fall, small groups of lawmakers will meet as committees to discuss specific issues.
Ideally, the committees will prepare fine-tuned legislation that addresses the issues, and then propose it when the full Legislature next convenes in February 2026.
In a series of blog posts, Better Wyoming will break down some of the most important issues of the current “interim” session so folks can better know what’s going on and how to get involved.
ISSUE: Lawmakers want to fine public and school libraries for having “sexually explicit” books where people under 18 can access them
COMMITTEE: Joint Judiciary
NEXT MEETING: Aug. 12, Casper
Overview
Religious extremists in the Wyoming Freedom Caucus want to police public and school district libraries and determine what minors can see under the law.
This year, they are once again looking to punish libraries with fines that could financially cripple smaller institutions if an employee violates a proposed law that would ban “sexually explicit materials” for anyone under 18.
Previously, these same lawmakers have proposed jailing teachers and librarians over “obscene” books.
Book content controversies have erupted in Campbell, Fremont, Laramie, Natrona Counties and other communities, as Freedom Caucus members have made the issue a centerpiece of their efforts to mobilize far-right voters.
But Wyomingites value individual and personal responsibility, and have the right to make decisions for their children. Most Wyoming voters oppose banning books.
The move marks just the latest instance where Freedom Caucus state lawmakers seek to override local control and the decisions of school and library boards elected by their own communities.
Legislative background
The Freedom Caucus, along with their partners in the Moms for Liberty, have promoted bills in recent legislative sessions that would lock up county and school librarians for exposing minors to allegedly “obscene” materials.
These bills have failed so far. But supporters have no intention of stopping their censorship campaign. The legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee has made the issue its top priority for the interim session.
Committee members like Rep. Ann Lucas (Cheyenne) and Jayme Lien (Casper) are pushing a draft bill that covers “sexually explicit materials,” imposing a civil $50,000 fine for public libraries and school libraries “for each violation” by an employee.
The draft bill would also allow any “interested party” to sue a library for violating the law, and be awarded damages, costs and fees.
Rep. Art Washut of Casper, Judiciary co-chair, told reporters that the ideal solution would be to still honor local control but set boundaries for public and school libraries.
Washut noted it’s difficult to tell who is responsible for providing a particular piece of obscenity, and whether that person realized the obscenity was in the material.
He added it “may be unrealistic” for the Legislature to mandate the head librarian review every page of every book in the library.
“To me it’s the least important topic we have (on the interim agenda),” said Rep. Ken Chestek of Laramie, a committee member. “I think librarians do good work. I think local control is important. And I really hate this whole topic.”
What’s next?
The Joint Judiciary Committee will discuss the draft bill on obscenity laws when it meets Aug. 12 in Casper.
This specific agenda item is scheduled for 3:20 p.m., but observers have noted that the committee packed its agenda to such a degree that it will have virtually no time for public comment.
People who can’t attend can watch the meeting on the Wyoming Legislature’s YouTube channel (Look under “Interim Committee Meetings” for Joint Judiciary Committee).