The bill introduces a new provision, W.S. 16-3-116, which grants individuals the right to request a jury trial in contested case hearings under specific circumstances, such as when facing sanctions of $20 or more, loss of significant liberty interests, or license revocation. The presiding officer of the contested case will oversee the jury trial, which will consist of six jurors. The bill also outlines that jury trials will adhere to the Code of Civil Procedure and the Wyoming rules of civil procedure, with the presiding officer performing functions akin to those of a district court judge. Additionally, the jury's decision will serve as the final ruling in the contested case.

The bill makes several conforming amendments to existing statutes, including the definition of jury service to encompass jury trials in contested case hearings, the preparation of jury lists, and the notification of rights regarding jury trials in contested cases. It specifies that the presiding officer for jury trials must be an employee of the office of administrative hearings and establishes that the right to a jury trial must be communicated in the notice of the contested case. The act will apply to all contested cases initiated on or after July 1, 2025, and will not retroactively grant the right to a jury trial for cases commenced before that date. The effective date of the act is also set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-11-104, 1-11-106, 16-3-101, 16-3-107, 16-3-109, 16-3-110, 16-3-112, 16-3-113, 16-3-114