AN ACT relating to civil procedure; amending the jurisdiction for lawsuits related to government contracts filed under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act to include the chancery court as specified; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.
Enacted
This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.
Sponsor
Representative Stith
Last action
2023-02-15
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2023
Plain English Breakdown
The official summary and text do not provide specific details on the usual work of chancery courts, only that it applies if specified in the contract and fits within its jurisdiction.
Changes to Chancery Court Jurisdiction
This law changes where certain government contract lawsuits can be filed, allowing them to go to chancery court if the contract specifically names it and fits within its usual responsibilities.
What This Bill Does
Amends the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act to allow chancery courts jurisdiction over actions based on contracts entered into by governmental entities when specified in the contract and fitting within the chancery court's usual work.
Sets July 1, 2023, as when this new rule starts.
Who It Names or Affects
People or businesses suing government entities over contracts.
Chancery courts in Wyoming.
Government agencies that enter into contracts with others.
Terms To Know
chancery court
A special type of court that deals with certain kinds of cases, like those involving contracts and disputes between businesses or individuals.
governmental entity
An organization run by the government, such as a city council or state agency.
Limits and Unknowns
The law only applies to lawsuits filed on or after July 1, 2023.
It does not change how other types of cases are handled in court.
Amendments
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Standing Committee • House Appropriations Committee
Adopted
Plain English: The amendment adds the phrase 'and exclusive' back into the bill text, specifying that the chancery court has sole jurisdiction over certain lawsuits related to government contracts.
Adds the words 'and exclusive' to indicate that the chancery court's jurisdiction is unique and not shared with other courts.
The amendment text does not provide additional context about what specific types of cases are covered, so it’s unclear exactly which lawsuits this applies to beyond what was originally specified in HB0097.
Bill History
2023-02-15LSO
Assigned Chapter Number 9
2023-02-15Governor
Governor Signed HEA No. 0003
2023-02-14Senate
S President Signed HEA No. 0003
2023-02-13House
H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0003
2023-02-09LSO
Assigned Number HEA No. 0003
2023-02-09Senate
S 3rd Reading:Passed 31-0-0-0-0
2023-02-08Senate
S 2nd Reading:Passed
2023-02-07Senate
S COW:Passed
2023-02-03Senate
S Placed on General File
2023-02-03Senate
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
2023-01-31Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary
2023-01-26Senate
S Received for Introduction
2023-01-26House
H 3rd Reading:Passed 53-8-1-0-0
2023-01-25House
H 2nd Reading:Passed
2023-01-24House
H COW:Passed
2023-01-20House
H Placed on General File
2023-01-20House
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0
2023-01-16House
H Introduced and Referred to H02 - Appropriations
2023-01-10House
H Received for Introduction
2023-01-09LSO
Bill Number Assigned
Official Summary Text
Bill Summary - 23LSO-0441
Bill No.:
HB0097
Effective:
7/1/2023
LSO No.:
23LSO-0441
Enrolled Act No.:
HEA No. 0003
Chapter No.:
9
Prime Sponsor:
Stith
Catch Title:
Chancery court jurisdiction amendments.
Subject:
Chancery court jurisdiction in the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act.
Summary/Major Elements:
This bill amends the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act to provide for the jurisdiction of the chancery court over actions based on a contract entered into by a governmental entity that is otherwise within the jurisdiction of the chancery court and where the contract provides for venue in the chancery court.
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.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
23LSO-0441
ORIGINAL House
Bill No
.
HB0097
ENROLLED ACT NO. 3,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session
AN ACT relating to civil procedure; amending the jurisdiction for lawsuits related to government contracts filed under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act to include the chancery court as specified; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
Section 1
.
W.S. 1
‑
39
‑
117(a) is amended to read:
1
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39
‑
117.
Jurisdiction; appeals; venue; trial by jury; liability insurance.
(a)
Original and exclusive jurisdiction for any claim filed in state court under this act shall be in the district courts of Wyoming
except that claims or counterclaims in an action based on a contract entered into by a governmental entity may be brought in the chancery court if the contract provides that the chancery court shall be the venue for disputes arising under the contract and the claim or counterclaim is otherwise within the jurisdiction of the chancery court
. Appeals may be taken as provided by law.
Section 2.
This act shall apply to lawsuits filed on and after the effective date of this act.
Section 3
.
This act is effective July 1, 2023
.
(END)
Speaker of the House
President of the Senate
Governor
TIME APPROVED: _________
DATE APPROVED: _________
I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.
Chief Clerk
1