A Republican state representative in Wyoming, Rep. Julie Jarvis, has proposed a bill that would exempt people from DUI charges if they are intoxicated while riding horses, mules, or donkeys. The bill seeks to clarify that the state’s DUI laws apply only to motor vehicles, explicitly excluding equines when ridden. This unusual legislative move has drawn amusement and curiosity from legal professionals, with some prosecutors expressing surprise and skepticism about the need for such a law, as they have never encountered DUI cases involving horseback riding.

Defense attorney Mike Vang found the proposal humorous but cautioned that even if the bill passes, intoxicated riders could still face other charges like public intoxication or reckless endangerment. Prosecutors like Johnson County’s Tucker Ruby and Fremont County’s Micah Wyatt emphasized that existing laws and prosecutorial discretion are sufficient to handle any such incidents, suggesting the law books need simplification rather than additional statutes. The bill, if approved, would take effect on July 1.