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Wyoming2026Enacted

HB0092

Sex Offenders Can't Hold Public Office

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

This law stops people who are on a list of sex offenders from getting certain jobs in government.

What it does

  • Makes it so that anyone listed as a sex offender cannot run for or get elected to specific public offices.
  • Lists the types of positions where sex offenders can't work, like being a mayor or school board member.
  • Requires election officials to not put on voting ballots people who are registered as sex offenders and want these jobs.

Who it affects

  • People who are listed as sex offenders
  • Election officials who run voting processes

Limits and unknowns

  • The rule only applies to positions elected or appointed after July 1, 2026.
  • Does not affect current office holders until they become registered as sex offenders.

Plain language

Terms to know

Sex offender
A person currently registered on the central registry of offenders under W.S. 7-19-301 through 7-19-310.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official summary

Bill Summary - 26LSO-0260 Bill No.: HB0092 Effective: 7/1/2026 LSO No.: 26LSO-0260 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0037 Chapter No.: 96 Prime Sponsor: Lucas Catch Title: Registered sex offenders prohibited from public office. Has Report: No Subject: Registered sex offenders prohibited from specified public offices. Summary/Major Elements: This bill establishes qualifications for specified public offices, specifically disqualifying individuals registered as sex offenders from holding these positions. The bill defines "sex offender" as a person currently registered on the central registry of offenders under W.S. 7-19-301 through 7-19-310. Specifies that election officials must refuse to certify ineligible candidates, and offices held by disqualified individuals will be deemed vacant. Applies to individuals elected or appointed to public office on or after July 1, 2026. 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, 12:53 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker supports the motion because the added language was originally intended by the bill's sponsor and improves the legislation.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:14:46 Watch the statement

Art Washut

R · H36

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker urges a favorable vote because the central issue of firearms rights restoration was left untouched by the amendments, which only clarified respect for restored rights from other states.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:18:04 Watch the statement

Cale Case

R · S25

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because it permanently disqualifies individuals from public office even after they have served their sentence and become upstanding citizens, arguing that redemption should be possible.

Public statementFloor statement at 34:22 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because it eliminates the possibility for individuals to run for office after having their rights restored, arguing that sex offender registries do not effectively reduce recidivism.

Public statementFloor statement at 37:36 Watch the statement

Taft Love

R · S06

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because existing laws failed to prevent an individual with a conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor from running for a school position, requiring public pressure instead.

Public statementFloor statement at 41:17 Watch the statement

Jared Olsen

R · S08

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill as a measure targeting heinous offenders who should not hold offices of public trust involving children, while noting that less severe offenders have pathways to redemption.

Public statementFloor statement at 44:42 Watch the statement

Barry Crago

R · S22

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because it has unintended consequences for those on lifetime registries who are already prohibited from office, suggesting a simpler fix to existing statutes instead.

Public statementFloor statement at 45:39 Watch the statement

Ed Cooper

R · S20

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because it is too broad and includes individuals who were convicted of crimes that are no longer considered valid offenses, such as being a black man in Mississippi decades ago.

Public statementFloor statement at 48:56 Watch the statement

Ann Lucas

R · H43

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker cites a recent incident where a registered sex offender ran for a community college board despite current law not clearly preventing it, arguing the bill establishes clear standards to protect children and others from sexual assault in positions of trust.

Public statementFloor statement at 3:40:12 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

6 roll calls

H Concur:Passed 60-0-2-0-02026-03-06 · House60 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 18-13-0-0-02026-03-05 · Senate18 yes 13 no
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02026-03-02 · Senate5 yes 0 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-02026-02-21 · House61 yes 0 no
H07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02026-02-13 · House9 yes 0 no
H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations 61-0-1-0-02026-02-10 · House61 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 96LSO
  2. Governor Signed HEA No. 0037 Governor
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0037Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0037House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0037LSO
  6. H Concur:Passed 60-0-2-0-0House
  7. H Received for ConcurrenceHouse
  8. S 3rd Reading:Passed 18-13-0-0-0Senate
  9. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  10. S COW:PassedSenate
  11. S Placed on General FileSenate
  12. S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  13. S Introduced and Referred to S01 - JudiciarySenate
  14. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  15. H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0House
  16. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  17. H COW:PassedHouse
  18. H Placed on General FileHouse
  19. H07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  20. H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations 61-0-1-0-0House

Changes

Amendments

3 stored

HB0092HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee

HB0092S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by Senator Case

HB0092SS001

Adopted Standing Committee by Senate Judiciary Committee