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26LSO-0051
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0051
Numbered
2.0
SENATE FILE NO. SF0049
Public records act revisions.
Sponsored by: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
A BILL
for
AN ACT relating to public records; revising documents that constitute official public records; revising time periods for acknowledgement of public records requests and release of public records; providing for an extension of time to release public records; authorizing the ombudsman to refer a matter to the attorney general or district attorney; specifying fees for public records; increasing a penalty; authorizing attorney fees; and providing for an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
Section 1.
W.S. 16
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4
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201(a)(vi)(A), 16
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4
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202(a) and (c)(ii) through (iv), 16
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203(f)(intro) and (ii) by creating a new subparagraph (D), 16
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204(e) and 16
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205 are amended to read:
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201.
Definitions; short title; designation of ombudsman.
(a)
As used in this act:
(vi)
Public records shall be classified as follows:
(A)
"Official public records" includes all original vouchers, receipts and other documents necessary to isolate and prove the validity of every transaction relating to the receipt, use and disposition of all public property and public income from all sources whatsoever; all agreements and contracts to which a governmental entity is a party; all fidelity, surety and performance bonds; all claims filed against a governmental entity;
plea agreements and nonconfidential portions of sentencing memoranda;
all records or documents required by law to be filed with or kept by a governmental entity of Wyoming; and all other documents or records determined by the records committee to be official public records;
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4
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202.
Right of inspection; rules and regulations; unavailability; training.
(a)
All public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, during business hours of the governmental entity, except as provided in this act or as otherwise provided by law, but the governmental entity may make rules and regulations with reference to the inspection of the records as is reasonably necessary for the protection of the records and the prevention of unnecessary interference with the regular discharge of the duties of the governmental entity. All applications for public records shall be made to the designated public records person.
The governmental entity shall acknowledge receipt of a request to the person making the request not later than three (3) business days after receipt of the request.
(c)
If the public records requested are in the custody and control of the governmental entity to whom application is made, the following shall apply:
(ii)
If a public record is readily available, it shall be released immediately to the applicant
when the request is acknowledged
so long as the release does not impair or impede the governmental entity's ability to discharge its other duties;
(iii)
All public records shall be released not later than
thirty (30)
ten (10)
calendar days from the date of acknowledged receipt of the request unless
good cause exists preventing release
the government entity requests an extension from the ombudsman
as authorized by paragraph (iv) of this subsection;
(iv)
Upon request by a government entity, the ombudsman may authorize an extension to release public records i
f good cause exists preventing release within the time period specified in paragraph
(ii) or
(iii) of this subsection
.
,
T
he public records shall be released on a
date specified by the ombudsman, which shall not exceed an additional thirty (30) calendar days, or another
specified date
if
mutually agreed to by the applicant and the governmental entity
;
.
If a release date cannot be agreed upon, the applicant may file a complaint with the ombudsman as provided by paragraph (v) of this subsection;
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203.
Right of inspection; grounds for denial; access of news media; order permitting or restricting disclosure; exceptions.
(f)
Any person aggrieved by the failure of a governmental entity to release records on the specified date
mutually agreed upon
determined
pursuant to W.S. 16
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4
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202(c)(iv) or by the failure of a governmental entity to comply with an order of the ombudsman pursuant to W.S. 16
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202(c)(v) may:
(ii)
File a complaint with the ombudsman who may:
(D)
Refer the matter to the attorney general or district attorney, who may apply to the Wyoming district court to enforce compliance.
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4
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204.
Right of inspection; copies, printouts or photographs; fees.
(e)
The department of administration and information shall adopt uniform rules for the use of state agencies establishing procedures, fees, costs and charges for inspection, copies and production of public records under W.S. 16
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4
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202(d)(i), 16
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203(h)(i) and 16
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204.
Any governmental entity that is not a state agency shall use the uniform fees, costs and charges for inspection, copies and production of public records established by the department of administration and information under this subsection unless:
(i)
The governmental entity charges lower fees, costs and charges; or
(ii)
Upon request to the ombudsman for approval to charge higher fees, costs or charges, the ombudsman approves the request for good cause.
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205.
Penalties; remedies.
Any person who knowingly or intentionally violates the provisions of this act is liable for a penalty not to exceed
seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)
two thousand dollars ($2,000.00)
. The penalty may be recovered in a civil action and damages may be assessed by the court.
The court may award the prevailing applicant reasonable attorney fees.
Section 2
.
This act is effective July 1, 2026
.
(END)
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SF0049