KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SF0142 • 2021

Prohibition on private funds for conducting elections.

AN ACT relating to elections; prohibiting the state or any political subdivision or governmental entity in the state from accepting and expending private funds to conduct elections as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Education Elections Labor
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Senator Steinmetz
Last action
2021-04-01
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2021

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass in its session, so it has no legal effect.

Ban on Private Money for Elections

The bill prohibits the state and local governments from using private funds to conduct elections but allows exceptions for training and education purposes.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits the state or any part of the government in Wyoming from accepting and spending private donations for voter registration, election preparation, running an election, or overseeing an election.
  • Allows the secretary of state and county clerks to accept and spend private funds only if it is for training or educating people about elections.
  • Does not prohibit the use of federal funds for elections.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The state of Wyoming
  • Local governments in Wyoming
  • People who want to donate money to help run elections

Terms To Know

Political subdivision
A part of a government, like a city or county.
Governmental entity
An organization that is part of the government and has official duties.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in its session.
  • It only applies to private funds, not federal money for elections.
  • There are specific exceptions for training and education purposes.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SF0142S3001

3rd reading • Senator Biteman

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds an exception to the bill's prohibition on private funds for conducting elections, allowing the secretary of state to accept and use private funds for election training or education purposes.

  • Adds an exception that allows the secretary of state to accept and spend private funds for election training or education.
  • Permits meals or food donations in support of election training or education activities.
  • Allows meals or food provided on election day to poll workers and other election staff.
  • The amendment text does not specify the extent or conditions under which private funds can be used for these purposes, leaving some details unclear.
SF0142SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivi

Failed

Plain English: The amendment allows the secretary of state and county clerks to use private donations to educate the public about elections and provide training.

  • Removes language that previously prohibited the state or any political subdivision from accepting and spending private funds for election-related activities.
  • Adds new provisions allowing the secretary of state and county clerks to accept and spend private donations specifically for educating the public on election participation and providing election training.
  • The amendment's text does not specify limits or conditions under which these private funds can be used, leaving some details unclear.

Bill History

  1. 2021-04-01 House

    H COW:H Did not consider for COW

  2. 2021-03-29 House

    H Placed on General File

  3. 2021-03-29 House

    H07 - Corporations:Recommend Do Pass 7-2-0-0-0

  4. 2021-03-24 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations

  5. 2021-03-22 House

    H Received for Introduction

  6. 2021-03-22 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-0-0-0-0

  7. 2021-03-19 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  8. 2021-03-18 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  9. 2021-03-12 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  10. 2021-03-12 Senate

    S07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0

  11. 2021-03-02 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations

  12. 2021-03-01 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  13. 2021-03-01 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
21LSO-0637
2021
STATE OF WYOMING
21LSO-0637
ENGROSSED
3.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0142

Prohibition on private funds for conducting elections.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Steinmetz, Biteman and Nethercott and Representative(s) Clausen and Hunt

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to elections; prohibiting the state or any political subdivision or governmental entity in the state from accepting and expending private funds to conduct elections as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 22
‑
2
‑
123 is created to read:

22
‑
2
‑
123.

Private funds in elections prohibited.

(a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the state and each political subdivision or governmental entity that conducts or oversees elections in this state shall not
accept or expend private, donated funds for registering voters or for preparing for, conducting or overseeing an election. This subsection shall not apply to the secretary of state when accepting or expending private funds for the explicit purpose of election training or education nor shall this subsection apply to meals or food provided or donated in support of election training or education or provided on election day to poll workers and other election staff.

(b)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the acceptance and expenditure of federal funds for elections as provided by law.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2021
.

(END)

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