WY Bar Constitutional Law 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Wyoming constitutional law, what vote is required to override a Governor's veto?
- Simple majority in each chamber
- Two-thirds majority in each chamber (Correct answer)
- Three-fifths majority in each chamber
- Unanimous vote in each chamber
Correct answer: Two-thirds majority in each chamber
A two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives is required to override a gubernatorial veto in Wyoming.
Question 2: The Wyoming Constitution's Bill of Rights provides that freedom of speech and press may be restricted when:
- The legislature deems it necessary
- A court finds it appropriate
- Speech constitutes an abuse of that right (Correct answer)
- The Governor declares an emergency
Correct answer: Speech constitutes an abuse of that right
Wyoming's free speech clause protects speech but allows restriction for abuse; truth is an affirmative defense in related proceedings.
Question 3: How may Wyoming citizens initiate a constitutional amendment?
- By citizen initiative petition only
- By two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers, then ratification by voters (Correct answer)
- By a constitutional convention only
- By a simple majority in the legislature
Correct answer: By two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers, then ratification by voters
Wyoming constitutional amendments require approval by two-thirds of both chambers of the legislature followed by ratification by a majority of voters at the next general election.
Question 4: Under Wyoming's separation of powers doctrine, which branch holds the power to declare a law unconstitutional?
- Executive branch
- Legislative branch
- Judicial branch (Correct answer)
- All three branches equally
Correct answer: Judicial branch
The Wyoming Supreme Court, as the final arbiter of state constitutional questions, holds the power of judicial review to declare statutes unconstitutional.
Question 5: The Wyoming Constitution requires that all bills contain:
- A fiscal impact note
- A sunset provision
- Only one subject expressed in the title (Correct answer)
- A referendum clause
Correct answer: Only one subject expressed in the title
Wyoming's single-subject rule requires that every bill shall embrace but one subject and matter properly connected therewith, which must be expressed in the title.
Question 6: Under the Wyoming Constitution, eminent domain requires that private property taken for public use be:
- Negotiated at market value without compensation
- Justly compensated (Correct answer)
- Compensated only if improved property
- Compensated at assessed tax value
Correct answer: Justly compensated
Article 1, Section 33 of the Wyoming Constitution requires just compensation whenever private property is taken or damaged for public or private use.
WY Bar Constitutional Law 2
Under Wyoming constitutional law, what vote is required to override a Governor's veto?