The bill proposes a significant overhaul of the attorney general's position in Wyoming, transitioning it from an appointed role to an elected one starting with the 2026 general election. It establishes a four-year term for the attorney general and outlines a new process for filling vacancies, which will now require Senate confirmation. The qualifications for candidates are also modified, mandating that they must have practiced law for at least four years and maintain good standing in the state's courts. Additionally, the bill repeals previous provisions regarding interim appointments and clarifies the attorney general's duties, including adherence to the Ethics and Disclosure Act.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of Wyoming law to reflect the attorney general's new status as an elected official, increasing the number of state elected officials from five to six. It enhances the attorney general's authority by removing the requirement for gubernatorial approval in several areas, allowing the attorney general to appoint assistant attorneys general and directors for specific divisions independently. The bill also updates the definition of "public employee" to include the attorney general and sets the attorney general's salary at $175,000. It establishes a vacancy-filling process that requires the governor to submit names for consideration if the Senate does not consent to a nominee. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain provisions becoming effective on January 4, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-1-601, 9-5-101, 22-2-105, 22-6-117