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Wyoming2024Enacted

SF0035

Public Records Act Changes for DOC Investigations

Last scannedOct 9, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law changes Wyoming's Public Records Act to allow the Department of Corrections Investigation Services Unit to keep certain investigation records secret with approval from the Attorney General.

What it does

  • Amends a part of the Wyoming Public Records Act that allows custodians to deny access to some investigation records.
  • Includes the Department of Corrections Investigation Services Unit in this exception, allowing them to withhold their investigation files if approved by the Attorney General.

Who it affects

  • The custodians who manage public records in Wyoming.
  • People or organizations that request access to these records.
  • The Department of Corrections Investigation Services Unit and the Attorney General.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law only applies to records managed by the Department of Corrections Investigation Services Unit.
  • It does not specify what happens if the Attorney General denies approval for keeping records secret.
  • The exact details on how this change will be implemented are not provided.

Plain language

Terms to know

Custodian
A person responsible for managing and maintaining public records.
Investigatory Records Disclosure Exception
An exception that allows certain investigation files to be kept secret from the public under specific conditions.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill Summary - 24LSO-0048 Bill No.: SF0035 Effective: 7/1/2024 LSO No.: 24LSO-0048 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0047 Chapter No.: 88 Prime Sponsor: Joint Judiciary Interim Committee Catch Title: Public records-DOC investigations. Has Report: No Subject: Wyoming Public Records Act. Summary/Major Elements: The Wyoming Public Records Act contains exceptions that allow a custodian of public records to deny the right of inspection of records, unless otherwise provided by law, on the ground that disclosure to the applicant would be contrary to the public interest. One exception, sometimes referred to as the investigatory records exception, applies to records of investigations conducted by, or of intelligence information or security procedures of, any sheriff, county attorney, city attorney, the attorney general, the state auditor, police department or any investigatory files compiled for any other law enforcement or prosecution purposes. This act amends the investigatory records exception to include the Department of Corrections Investigation Services Unit, allowing a custodian to deny the right of inspection of records of investigations conducted by, or of intelligence information or security procedures of, the Department of Corrections Investigation Services Unit upon approval by the Attorney General. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 6, 4:23 AM

Ed Cooper

R · S20

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker explains that an amendment removing important language was added by the other chamber, but after discussions, it was repealed. This restored the bill to its original form as passed by their body.

Public statementFloor statement at 20:41 Watch the statement

Ed Cooper

R · S20

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes concurrence because an amendment requiring Attorney General approval was removed from the bill, a provision they felt was essential after significant committee discussion.

Public statementFloor statement at 11:51 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

8 roll calls

H Adopted SF0035JC001: 59-2-1-0-02024-03-06 · House59 yes 2 no
S Adopted SF0035JC001: 30-0-1-0-02024-03-06 · Senate30 yes 0 no
S Concur:Failed 1-25-5-0-02024-02-29 · Senate1 yes 25 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 62-0-0-0-02024-02-29 · House62 yes 0 no
H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02024-02-26 · House9 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-02024-02-16 · Senate30 yes 1 no
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-02024-02-14 · Senate4 yes 1 no
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 30-1-0-0-02024-02-12 · Senate30 yes 1 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 88LSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA No. 0047 Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0047House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0047Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA No. 0047LSO
  6. H Appointed JCC01 MembersHouse
  7. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  8. S Concur:Failed 1-25-5-0-0Senate
  9. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  10. H 3rd Reading:Passed 62-0-0-0-0House
  11. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  12. H COW:PassedHouse
  13. H Placed on General FileHouse
  14. H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  15. H Introduced and Referred to H01 - JudiciaryHouse
  16. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  17. S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-0Senate
  18. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  19. S COW:PassedSenate
  20. S Placed on General FileSenate

Changes

Amendments

3 stored

SF0035HS001

The amendment removes requirements for approval by the attorney general when dealing with certain department of corrections records.

SF0035JC001

The amendment removes certain changes made by the House to a bill about public records and corrections department investigations.

SF0035SS001

The amendment adds a requirement for the attorney general's approval before certain department of corrections records can be disclosed.