2026 WCCA Legislative Conference

2026 WCCA Legislative Conference

Laramie County Library

February 11-13, 2026

Cheyenne, WY.

Wednesday, February 11

The 2026 WCCA Legislative Conference began with a meeting of the WCCA Bill Review Committee, followed by the opening general session at the Laramie County Library.

Bill Review Committee Meeting

Committee chairs and co-chairs met at the WCCA Office to review proposed 2026 legislation. Discussions focused on evaluating legislative communication materials, refining approaches to position development, and establishing preliminary bill position recommendations.

Afternoon General Session

The general session opened with welcome remarks, the pledge, and introductions by WCCA President Natalia Macker (Teton County).

An interactive session on leadership and conflict management followed, featuring Allen Thompson, Executive Director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police. The session emphasized practical tools for de-escalation, maintaining professionalism in contentious settings, and fostering constructive public dialogue.

The afternoon continued with a session on managing healthcare costs for county governments. Presenters Shane Allen (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming), Kelly Grady (Agile Benefits Consulting), and Tiffany Monk (Tegeler Insurance) provided strategies for addressing rising premiums and improving plan sustainability while maintaining employee satisfaction.

Evening Activities

The day concluded with a joint Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) and WCCA Legislative Reception held at Little America. Commissioners and partners gathered with legislators and other statewide leaders for networking and collaboration.

Thursday, February 12

The second day of the conference focused on legislative engagement, bill voting, and interaction with state and federal leaders.

Morning Activities

Commissioners began the day with an informal networking breakfast, followed by opening remarks from President Natalia Macker and an overview of the voting process.

Bill Voting and Review

Commissioners participated in a comprehensive bill review and voting session, evaluating legislation impacting Wyoming counties. Voting continued throughout the morning and into the afternoon, including consideration of additional bills offered from the floor.

Luncheon

During lunch, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis and U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman provided video updates on federal priorities and discussed opportunities for collaboration with county governments.

Capitol Visit and Legislative Engagement

Following lunch, commissioners walked to the Wyoming Capitol. Attendees heard remarks from Governor Mark Gordon, Secretary of State Chuck Gray, State Auditor Kristi Racines, and State Treasurer Curt Meier.

Riana Davidson (Legislative Service Office) provided a session on understanding the Wyoming legislative process.

A commemorative session titled Legacy of Leadership: 150 Years of Service, 50 Years of Association highlighted the history and impact of county commissioners in Wyoming and the role of WCCA in supporting local governance.

Commissioners concluded the afternoon with a self-guided tour of the Capitol.

Evening Activities

The evening was reserved for county-hosted dinners with local legislators, providing opportunities for informal discussion and relationship building.

Friday, February 13

The final day of the conference focused on energy development, infrastructure, and emerging technologies impacting Wyoming counties.

Morning Activities

The day began with welcome remarks from President Natalia Macker, who framed the day’s discussions around Wyoming’s evolving energy landscape and the role of counties in navigating change.

Sessions included presentations on:

·         Siting and permitting considerations for emerging energy projects, including wind, solar, nuclear, and transmission infrastructure

·         Trends in renewable and nuclear energy development across the Intermountain West

·         Energy storage technologies, including battery systems, resiliency, and safety considerations

·         The growing impact of artificial intelligence and data centers on energy demand, infrastructure planning, and local economic development

Speakers included representatives from industry, national laboratories, local economic development organizations, and policy groups.

Afternoon Activities

The conference concluded with a lunch and field experience at the NCAR Wyoming Supercomputing Center. Participants toured the facility and learned about high-performance computing, energy efficiency, cooling systems, and the role of public-private partnerships in supporting advanced research infrastructure.

The 2026 WCCA Legislative Conference adjourned on Friday, February 13.