The Wyoming Legislature is a 93-member citizen legislature, meaning the members elected serve part-time and this is typically not the members’ primary occupation. Wyoming remains one of the few states that have a true part-time citizen legislature. While the part-time nature of the institution allows members to stay in close contact with their constituents, it also means that they do not enjoy the same accommodations provided to full-time legislators in larger states, such as personal staff.

Legislative Leadership

Pursuant to the Wyoming Constitution and Wyoming Statutes, after every general election in even-numbered years, leadership positions for the houses are elected on the first day of the general session in January for the upcoming biennium (two-year period). Leadership elected on the first day of the general session includes the President and Vice President in the Senate and the Speaker of the House and Speaker Pro Tem in the House. Legislators hold party caucuses to elect leadership for each party. Leadership elected in the caucuses includes the Majority Floor Leader, Minority Floor Leader, Minority Whip and Minority Caucus Chairman in the Senate and Majority Floor Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Floor Leader, Minority Whip and Minority Caucus Chairman in the House.

A legislative committee called the Management Council serves as the leadership of the Legislature and serves as the administrative arm of the legislative branch of state government and the policymaking body when the Legislature is not in session. The Management Council consists of 10 members representing both parties and consists primarily of legislators in the leadership positions. The Management Council appoints the director of the Legislative Service Office and approves staff hired by the director, while the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House each hire temporary staff for their respective bodies during legislative sessions.