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HB0088 • 2026

Public funds lobbying.

AN ACT relating to lobbying; prohibiting the use of state funds and resources for lobbying; requiring certifications; providing for enforcement; and providing for an effective date.

Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor
Representative Hoeft
Last action
2026-02-10
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2026

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included claims about an effective date and enforcement details which are not applicable since the bill did not pass.

No Public Money for Lobbying

The bill prohibits government entities from using state funds or resources to lobby the legislature and requires yearly certifications of compliance.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits any governmental entity in Wyoming from spending public money on lobbying activities.
  • Requires each governmental entity to submit a certification annually, stating that they did not use public funds for lobbying during the previous calendar year.
  • Gives the attorney general or district attorneys the power to take enforcement actions if a government entity violates this rule.
  • Allows any taxpayer or resident of Wyoming to sue and recover legal costs if they see misuse of public money in lobbying.

Who It Names or Affects

  • All governmental entities in Wyoming, including state and local governments, school districts, and special districts.
  • Taxpayers and residents who can report violations and seek legal action.

Terms To Know

Governmental entity
Any unit of state or local government, school district, or special district in Wyoming.
Lobbying
Attempting to influence legislation.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
  • It only applies to governmental entities, not private companies or individuals.
  • Details on enforcement actions are limited to what is provided in the bill text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-10 House

    H Failed Introduction 27-34-1-0-0

  2. 2026-02-05 House

    H Received for Introduction

  3. 2026-02-03 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
26LSO-0363
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0363
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0088

Public funds lobbying.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Hoeft, Brady, Brown, G, Johnson, Lucas and Webber and Senator(s) Laursen, D

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to lobbying; prohibiting the use of state funds and resources for lobbying; requiring certifications; providing for enforcement; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1.

W.S. 28
‑
7
‑
301 is created to read:

ARTICLE 3
PROHIBITING THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR LOBBYING

28
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7
‑
301.

Limitations on the use of state funds and resources for lobbying by government entities.

(a)

As used in this section:

(i)

"Governmental entity" means any unit of state or local government or any branch, subdivision or agency thereof or any school district or special district. "Governmental entity" shall not include a for profit organization that provides services as a part of an authorized government contract;

(ii)

"Lobby" or "lobbying" means to attempt to influence legislation.

(b)

Except as otherwise provided in this section, no state funds or resources shall be expended be expended by any governmental entity to do any of the following:

(i)

Lobby the legislature;

(ii)

Hire a person to lobby the legislature or hire a person that is required to register as a lobbyist as provided by W.S. 28
‑
7
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101;

(iii)

Pay dues or any other form of remuneration to any association, entity or organization or any affiliated associations, entities or organizations that primarily represents governmental entities and that:

(A)

Hires or contracts with person that is required to register as a lobbyist as provided by W.S. 28
‑
7
‑
101 to lobby on behalf of the association, entity or organization; or

(B)

Lobbies the legislature.

(c)

Each governmental entity shall, not later than February 1 each year, submit a certification to the Wyoming attorney general that the governmental entity was in compliance with the requirements of this section for the preceding calendar year. No state funds or resources shall be provided to any governmental entity that fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection.

(d)

If a governmental entity violates subsection (b) of this section, the attorney general or relevant district attorney shall, on his own initiative or in response to a complaint, review the certification submitted under of subsection (c) of this section, file for any necessary injunctive relief and take any other enforcement action authorized by law.

(e)

Any taxpayer or resident of Wyoming shall have standing to commence an action for appropriate injunctive relief to prevent any activity prohibited by this act and any further payments of public funds related to the prohibited activity. A taxpayer or resident who prevails in an action brought under this subsection is entitled to recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred in bringing the action.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2026
.

(END)

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HB0088