Scott, Charles

2025 Scores currently being researched.

Charles Scott is the longest active serving legislator in the Wyoming State Legislature.  Scott initially served in Natrona County WY House from 1979 to 1982, and then in Natrona County WY Senate District 30 from 1983 to the present.

He is up for reelection in 2028.

Landowners who feel violated by drones should be allowed to shoot them down, says at least one Wyoming state lawmaker.

“I thought maybe a shotgun would be an appropriate legal weapon to take a drone with,” said state Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper.

He made his that remark during a senate floor discussion Wednesday afternoon regarding Senate File 34, which deals with drone trespass.

The bill, which passed its first reading in the Wyoming Senate, should include a provision allowing landowners to “take” trespassing drones, Scott said.

In rural areas where it would be safe to do so, that should include shooting them down, he said.

From https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/01/18/sen-charlie-scott-says-shotgun-is-a-good-way-to-deal-with-annoying-drones/

2023

+ – +

Scott received a positive score for Representation and Integrity, and a negative score for Competence.  Therefore Scott has been ranked as Limited Trust.

2025

Overall, Scott earns a positive score ( + ) for Representation.

Attendance

In keeping with our grading system, a legislator had to be present and vote on all bills for any 33 days in the 2025 General Session. If a legislator missed any votes on 5 or more days, they receive a negative (-) score.

1/27/25: 3rd Reading vote on SF0002;
2/21/25: Education vote on HB0129.

Additionally Scott recused himself from the following bills.  Recusal votes are not considered an absence.

2/4/25: SF0068 Government owned lands.
2/7/25: SF0185 Governmental property-taxation and sale.
2/18/25: HB0061 State land lease preference amendments.

Public Conduct

Scott appears to behave appropriately in public and to the public.

Bill Sponsorship

In 2025 Scott was the primary sponsor of three bills:  Education-block grant model amendments; Educational bankruptcy act; Fixing reading failure.

Committee Assignments

In 2025 Scott served on the following committees: Senate Education; Senate Labor; NCSL – Education.

2023

Overall Scott earns a (+) for Representation.

Attendance

It appears that Scott was present for every vote in 2023 General Session.

Additionally, Scott recused himself from voting because of a Conflict on the following bills:

• HB0022- State land lease deficiencies-cure process.
• HB0171 – State land leases.
• HB0188 Wolf depredation compensation.

Public Conduct

Scott appears to behave appropriately in public and to the public.

Sponsorship History

In 2023 Scott was the primary sponsor of 3 bills, and he co-sponsored 2 bills and two joint resolutions.  Favored sponsorship topics appear to be education.  For more on Scott see his legislator webpage.

Committee Assignments

2023-Senate Education
2023-Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Charles Scott earned a ( – ) for Constitutional Competence with an average of 71% on the constitutional bills listed below.  Legislator’s must have a percentage of 85% or higher to receive a final positive (+) score.

Out of a total of 31 bills, Charles Scott was constitutionally correct on 22 bills – giving him 71%.

For more on the bills used to analyze these scores click here

2023

Scott scored a (–) for Constitutional Competence with an average of 54.2% on the constitutional issues listed below.

For more on the bills used to analyze these scores click here.  Special hat-tip goes out to Evidence Based Wyoming for use of their statistical tool to generate the following vote scores:

2025

Conflicts

Employment/Income

According to his 2025/2026 financial disclosure:

• President – Bates Creek Cattle Co. (Casper, WY)
• Business Interests
  • Bates Creek Cattle Co. (Casper, WY)
  • Eagle Ridge Ranch Co. (Casper, WY)
• Investment income
  • Any security or interest earnings
  • Real estate, leases or royalties
• Other Social Security (U.S. Govt)

Memberships/Civic Organizations

Campaign Contributions

In 2024 Scott received approximately 7 contributions that total approximately $3,500.00.  Noteworthy donations:

• $250 from PACIFIC POWER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER PAC
• $250 from MDU RESOURCES GROUP GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND

2023

Conflicts

Because we have not found any conflicts of interest for Scott, he receives a (+) for Integrity.

Employment/Income

According to Scott’s 2023 State Elected Officials Financial Disclosure available at Wyofile, he reported the following:

• President – Bates Creek Cattle Co. (Casper, WY)
• Investment income
  • Any security or interest earnings
  • Real estate, leases or royalties

Memberships/Civic Organizations

Audubon Society
Nature Conservancy
Stock Grower’s Association
Reforming States Group
Harvard Alumni Association
Kiwanis Club

Campaign Contributions

According to Evidence Based Wyoming generated data:

• Scott scored a 57.4% as a Fiscal Conservative for 2023 legislative session
• Scott earned the Moderate Political Leaning Ranking for 2023 legislative session
• Scott scored a 48.8% as a Budget Conservative for 2022 legislative session
• Scott earned the Conservative Political Leaning Ranking for 2021 legislative session
• Scott earned the Conservative Political Leaning Ranking for 2020 legislative session
• Scott earned the Moderate Political Leaning Ranking for 2019 legislative session
• Overall, Scott has scored a 42.1% for Pro-Life Voting

According to WyoRINO:

• Scott’s Index Score for 2023 legislative session was 70%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 70% of the time.
• Scott’s Index Score for 2022 legislative session was 40%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 40% of the time.
• Scott’s Index Score for 2021 legislative session was 60%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 60% of the time.
• Scott’s Index Score for 2020 legislative session was 30%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 30% of the time.
• Scott’s Index Score for 2019 legislative session was 30%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 30% of the time.