Wyoming2016Did Not Pass
SJ0001
Wyoming Constitution Amendment on Privacy and Public Access
Last scannedOct 19, 2026, 2:19 AM
In one sentence
This joint resolution proposed adding a new section to the Wyoming Constitution to protect individual privacy while preserving the legal right to access government documents and observe meetings.
What it does
- Proposes to add a new Section 40 to Article 1 of the Wyoming Constitution.
- States that the right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society.
- States that this privacy right shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest.
- Clarifies that this privacy right does not remove the legal right to examine documents.
- Clarifies that this privacy right does not remove the legal right to observe the deliberations of any agency or political subdivision of the state.
- Allows privacy to limit public disclosure only in cases where the demand for individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure.
Who it affects
- Individuals in Wyoming who have a right to privacy.
- People who use laws to examine state documents or observe government meetings.
- State agencies and political subdivisions of Wyoming.
- Wyoming voters who would vote on the amendment at the next general election.
Limits and unknowns
- The bill did not pass in the 2016 session, so it did not become law.
- The specific legal standards for what counts as a 'compelling state interest' are not defined in the provided text.
- The exact process for how voters would vote on this amendment is not detailed in the provided text.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Compelling state interest
- A strong reason required by the proposed amendment for the government to limit the right of individual privacy.
- Political subdivision
- A local government unit, such as a county or city, that is part of the state.
- Deliberations
- The discussions and decision-making processes of a government body.
Official record
Sources
Public statements
Why lawmakers voted
Last checked Aug 7, 1:00 AM
Couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
Recorded votes
4 roll calls
S COW:Failed 13-16-1-0-02016-02-18 · Senate13 yes 16 no
- Yes
- 13
- No
- 16
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 1
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 13
No 16
Excused 1
S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Not Pass 5-0-0-0-02016-02-16 · Senate5 yes 0 no
- Yes
- 5
- No
- 0
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
S07 - Corporations:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02016-02-11 · Senate5 yes 0 no
- Yes
- 5
- No
- 0
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
S Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations 27-2-1-0-02016-02-08 · Senate27 yes 2 no
- Yes
- 27
- No
- 2
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 1
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 27
Bernadine CraftS12Bill LandenR · S27Brian BonerR · S02Bruce Burns Jr.S21Cale CaseR · S25Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03Dan DockstaderR · S16David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Eli D BeboutS26Floyd EsquibelS08Fred M EmerichS05Gerald E GeisS20Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Jim AndersonR · S28John HastertS13Larry HicksR · S11Leland G ChristensenS17Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24NICHOLAS PRESOgden DriskillR · S01Ray R PetersonS19Stan CooperS14Stephan PappasR · S07Wayne H JohnsonS06
Excused 1
Official activity
Bill history
- S COW:Failed 13-16-1-0-0Senate
- S Placed on General FileSenate
- S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Not Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
- S COW:Rerefer to S02 - AppropriationsSenate
- S Placed on General FileSenate
- S07 - Corporations:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
- S Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations 27-2-1-0-0Senate
- S Received for IntroductionSenate
- Bill Number AssignedLSO