CHEYENNE – After convening Jan. 13, the Wyoming Legislature has reached the midway point for the 2015 General Session. Wednesday marked crossover period for the body, meaning it was the last day for third reading in the house of origin.

Any legislation that did not successfully pass third reading in the primary house Wednesday will not go on for further consideration in the opposite chamber.

At the start of the session, a total of 410 bills were numbered for introduction. With three weeks remaining in this year’s session, 260 bills remain active at the crossover period. The Senate introduced 151 pieces of legislation and 103 of those bills have moved to the House for consideration. The House introduced 257 bills and passed 157 bills on to the Senate for deliberation.

Both the House and Senate have addressed a broad range of issues and now the second house will get a chance to make changes and pass or vote down those bills sent from the house of origin. Although these bills have passed in their primary house, the legislation still must gain the approval of the second house and be sent to the Governor’s Office for consideration before becoming state law.

Feb. 27 will be the last day for bills to be reported out of committee in the second house and March 2 will mark the last day for Committee of the Whole on bills in the second house. March 4 will be the last day for third reading on bills in the second house. Lawmakers hope to wrap up the 2015 General Session March 6.

In addition to the bills currently being considered, legislators are also continuing work on the State’s supplemental budget. Both bodies plan to consider the Budget Bill for the first time Wednesday and Thursday, and continue with second reading Tuesday and third reading Feb. 19. The bodies will then work on reconciling the differences between the final House and Senate versions of the budget bill through a joint conference committee. After each Chamber votes to concur on the conference committee’s action, the bill will be sent to the Governor for his consideration

The Wyoming Legislature encourages the public to continue to participate in the legislative process. For a complete list of all the bills that are still active and to track their progress as the session continues, please visit the Legislature’s Website at www.wyoleg.gov.