Back to Wyoming
Wyoming2026Enacted

SF0011

Amendments to Burial Assistance for Indigent Veterans

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

This law changes eligibility requirements and increases funding for burial assistance programs for indigent veterans.

What it does

  • Removes the requirement that indigent veterans must have served in a war or conflict as defined by federal law to qualify for county reimbursement for burial preparation and transportation expenses.
  • Increases the amount paid by the Department of Family Services for burial expenses from $1,000 to $1,500.
  • Adds an additional $500 for transportation costs if an indigent veteran qualifies both for state assistance and burial in a veterans cemetery.
  • Clarifies that county payments are made after all other sources have been considered.

Who it affects

  • Indigent veterans who qualify for burial expenses
  • Counties responsible for providing burial assistance
  • The Department of Family Services

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how counties will fund the increased reimbursement amounts.
  • It is unclear if all indigent veterans will benefit equally from these changes.

Plain language

Terms to know

indigent veteran
A veteran with insufficient funds to cover funeral costs.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official summary

Bill Summary - 26LSO-0032 Bill No.: SF0011 Effective: 7/1/2026 LSO No.: 26LSO-0032 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0007 Chapter No.: 10 Prime Sponsor: Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Interim Committee Catch Title: Burials of indigent veterans-amendments. Has Report: No Subject: Burial assistance for indigent veterans. Summary/Major Elements: Under current law, there are two (2) programs that may provide financial assistance for burial expenses for indigent veterans. One (1) program administered by the Wyoming Department of Family Services provides financial assistance for burial expenses to persons who were receiving assistance from the Personal Opportunities with Employment Responsibilities (POWER) Program, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicaid. The other program reimburses counties for preparing or transporting persons for burial in the veteran's cemetery. This act removes the eligibility requirement that indigent veterans must have served on behalf of the United States in any war or conflict, as defined by federal law, in order to qualify for county reimbursement for burial preparation and transportation. This act increases the amount paid for burial expenses under the Wyoming Department of Family Services' program from one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) and authorizes an additional five hundred dollars ($500.00) to be paid for transportation expenses for an indigent veteran who qualifies both for the Wyoming Department of Family Services' program and for burial in the veteran's cemetery. This act specifies that payment of burial expenses made by the Board of County Commissioners is considered the payment of last resort that follows all other sources. 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 7, 12:43 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker explained that they mistakenly voted no on the bill because their microphone was off and they were confused about which legislation was currently being considered.

Public statementFloor statement at 44:23 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-0-3-0-02026-02-25 · House59 yes 0 no
H08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 7-0-1-1-02026-02-18 · House7 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-02026-02-12 · Senate30 yes 1 no
S08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02026-02-10 · Senate5 yes 0 no
S Introduced and Referred to S08 - Transportation 30-1-0-0-02026-02-09 · House30 yes 1 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 10LSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA No. 0007 Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0007House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0007Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA No. 0007LSO
  6. H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-0-3-0-0House
  7. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  8. H COW:PassedHouse
  9. H Placed on General FileHouse
  10. H08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 7-0-1-1-0House
  11. H Introduced and Referred to H08 - TransportationHouse
  12. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  13. S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-0Senate
  14. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  15. S COW:PassedSenate
  16. S Placed on General FileSenate
  17. S08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  18. S Introduced and Referred to S08 - Transportation 30-1-0-0-0Senate
  19. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  20. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

SF0011S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by Senator Barlow