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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.

Education
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 official source material did not provide a detailed summary or digest text.

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 using state funds or resources to engage in lobbying activities, including hiring lobbyists or paying dues to organizations that lobby on behalf of governmental entities.
  • Requires each governmental entity to submit a certification annually by February 1st stating they did not use public funds for lobbying during the previous calendar year.
  • Authorizes the attorney general or district attorneys to take legal action if a governmental entity violates this prohibition.
  • Allows any taxpayer or resident of Wyoming to sue and seek injunctive relief if they believe a governmental entity has violated the ban on using public funds for lobbying.

Who It Names or Affects

  • All units of state and local government, including branches, subdivisions, agencies, 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, including branches, subdivisions, agencies, school districts, and special districts. It does not include for-profit organizations that provide services under a government contract.
Lobbying
Attempting to influence legislation by communicating with lawmakers or their staff.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the session it was introduced.
  • It does not apply to for-profit organizations that provide services under a government contract.
  • Details on specific penalties and enforcement mechanisms are not provided beyond legal action by authorities or citizens.

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
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7
‑
301 is created to read:

ARTICLE 3
PROHIBITING THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR LOBBYING

28
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7
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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
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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