Wyoming Legislature to Require More Ethics Training After 'CheckGate' Controversy

Management Council votes to add ethics training to legislator orientation following investigation into check-passing incident.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:23pm

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The Wyoming Legislature's Management Council has decided to add more ethics training to its legislator orientation program in the wake of the recent 'CheckGate' controversy. The move comes after a House investigative committee looked into an incident where a conservative activist handed out $1,500 checks to several state representatives on the House floor. While the committee did not find evidence of legislative misconduct or bribery, it recommended the Management Council consider updates to signage, training, and review of rules around campaign activities during legislative sessions.

Why it matters

The 'CheckGate' incident exposed potential gaps in the legislature's ethics rules and training, raising concerns about the appropriate boundaries between campaign activities and official legislative business. By adding more robust ethics training, the legislature aims to prevent similar controversies and uphold public trust in the democratic process.

The details

During a Management Council meeting on April 1, 2026, House Minority Floor Leader Mike Yin conveyed the recommendations from the House investigative committee on the 'CheckGate' incident. The committee suggested the Management Council consider updates to signage, legislator training, and a review of rules in neighboring states regarding campaign activities during legislative sessions. In response, the Council voted to add an hour of ethics training to the legislature's pre-session orientation for lawmakers.

  • The Wyoming Legislature's Management Council met on April 1, 2026 to discuss the 'CheckGate' incident.
  • The House investigative committee looked into the check-passing incident that occurred on February 9, 2026, the first day of the legislative session.

The players

Mike Yin

House Minority Floor Leader from Jackson, who brought the investigative committee's recommendations to the Management Council.

Tara Nethercott

Senate Majority Floor Leader from Cheyenne, who motioned to add an hour of ethics training to the legislature's pre-session orientation.

Bo Biteman

Senate President from Ranchester, who presided over the Management Council meeting.

Chip Neiman

House Speaker from Hulett, who asked if legislative staffers could conduct a study on other states' rules governing campaign donation ethics.

John Bear

House Appropriations Chair from Gillette, who raised concerns about ethics rules for legislative staff and interns.

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What they’re saying

“Would that be basically like an ethics training, Senator Nethercott?”

— Bo Biteman, Senate President

“Yes.”

— Tara Nethercott, Senate Majority Floor Leader

What’s next

The Management Council directed legislative staffers to conduct a study on how other states handle rules governing campaign donation ethics, which they will present to the Council at a future meeting to determine if a task force is needed to further address the issue.

The takeaway

The 'CheckGate' controversy has prompted the Wyoming Legislature to take proactive steps to strengthen its ethics training and review its rules around campaign activities during legislative sessions. This move aims to uphold public trust and ensure lawmakers maintain the highest ethical standards while conducting the people's business.