Wyoming Legislative Report - January 28 - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Wyoming Legislative Report - January 28

A bill banning abortion was just one of the hot button social issues at the capitol Monday. Another being same-sex marriage. There were two bills this session. Only one is still taking steps closer to becoming law.

The bill to legalize gay marriage in Wyoming is killed in the Corporations Committee this afternoon 4 to 5.

House Bill 169 would've redefined marriage as a civil contract between two natural persons rather than between a male and female, but the bill to legalize civil unions between gays passes the committee on as 7 to 2 vote. It also covers heterosexuals who want to enter in to domestic partnerships. House Bill 168 does not permit minors or polygamists to engage in a domestic partnership. The testimony on both sides was emotional , moral and at times personal. House Bill 168 heads to the full House.

Gun rights are other hot button bills. Two of them passed out of the House Judiciary Monday afternoon. House Bill 200 would allow folks to carry concealed weapons into public meetings. No permission is needed. House Bill 216 gives a judge discretion over concealed weapons in his or her courtroom. They both head to the House floor.

One bill that's not moving on is Katie's Law. The Judiciary Committee killed House Bill 204, which would've allowed the cops to take your DNA when arrested for certain crimes, like sex, kidnapping and murder. The bill's sponsor says privacy issues help kill Katie's Law and he's afraid criminals will commit their crimes in states without this law because it makes it harder for them to get caught.

The hitchhiking bill passes a final Senate vote. Senate File 29, making hitchhiking legal, goes to the House.

Also the gun silencer bill makes it through the Senate and heads to the House.

You'll recall a similar silencer bill failed in a House committee earlier this session.