Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to Wyoming
Wyoming2026Did Not Pass

SF0049

Revisions to Public Records Act

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

The bill revises the Public Records Act by changing what documents are considered official public records and setting new time limits for responding to requests.

What it does

  • Changes which documents count as official public records, including plea agreements and nonconfidential portions of sentencing memoranda.
  • Requires government entities to acknowledge receipt of a request within three business days.
  • Limits the release of public records to ten calendar days after acknowledgment unless an extension is granted by the ombudsman for good cause.
  • Allows the ombudsman to refer disputes over record releases to the attorney general or district attorney.
  • Sets fees for accessing public records and allows higher fees if approved by the ombudsman for a valid reason.

Who it affects

  • Government entities that hold public records.
  • People requesting access to public records.
  • The ombudsman who handles disputes over record releases.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
  • It is unclear how the higher penalties for violations will be enforced or if they will apply retroactively.

Plain language

Terms to know

Official Public Records
Documents necessary for proving the validity of transactions involving public property and income, agreements, contracts, bonds, claims, and other records required by law or determined to be official by a committee.
Ombudsman
A person who handles complaints about government entities not releasing requested public records on time.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 2, 1:31 AM

Cale Case

R · S25

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because Wyoming's public records act needs work to address large data miners reselling state records while ensuring citizens can get their requests fulfilled in a timely manner.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:41:37 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

1 roll call

S Failed Introduction 15-16-0-0-02026-02-09 · Senate15 yes 16 no
Yes
15
No
16
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 15

Bo BitemanR · S21Bob IdeR · S29Brian BonerR · S02Cale CaseR · S25Charles ScottR · S30Cheri SteinmetzR · S03Chris RothfussD · S09Dan DockstaderR · S16Dan LaursenR · S19John KolbR · S12Laura PearsonR · S14Lynn HutchingsR · S05Tim FrenchR · S18Tim SalazarR · S26Troy McKeownR · S24

No 16

Barry CragoR · S22Bill LandenR · S27Ed CooperR · S20Eric BarlowR · S23Evie BrennanR · S31Gary CrumR · S10Jared OlsenR · S08Jim AndersonR · S28Larry HicksR · S11Mike GierauD · S17Ogden DriskillR · S01Stacy JonesR · S13Stephan PappasR · S07Taft LoveR · S06Tara NethercottR · S04Wendy SchulerR · S15

Official activity

Bill history

  1. S Failed Introduction 15-16-0-0-0Senate
  2. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  3. Bill Number AssignedLSO