The bill amends existing laws regarding the Wyoming state guard by removing the requirement for the activation of the national guard as a prerequisite for organizing the state guard. It eliminates federal involvement in the Wyoming state guard, allowing the governor to independently organize and maintain this military force. The bill specifies that the Wyoming state guard will be established to preserve public peace, execute state laws, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion. Additionally, it states that the governance of the Wyoming state guard will be modeled after existing laws governing the national guard, while the strength and equipment of the guard will be determined by the governor.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the financial provisions for the Wyoming state guard, stating that members will receive pay and allowances from the general fund or from a continuous appropriation for public welfare emergencies, with a cap of 75% of the pay authorized for equivalent ranks in the national guard. The governor is also granted the authority to requisition or purchase necessary arms and supplies for the state guard. An appropriation of $25,000 is allocated for the establishment and equipping of the Wyoming state guard, with specific conditions on the use of these funds. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19-10-101, 19-10-102, 19-10-103