This bill amends the existing laws governing 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 state guard's operations, allowing the governor to independently organize and maintain the Wyoming state guard. The bill specifies that the 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 and regulations governing the national guard, while also allowing the governor to determine the strength, training, and equipment of the state guard.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the financial provisions for the members of the Wyoming state guard, stating that they 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 personnel of equal rank 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 from the general fund to support the establishment and equipping of the Wyoming state guard, with specific guidelines 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