This bill amends the structure and operations of the Wyoming Gaming Commission, reducing its membership from nine to five members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Each member must have at least five years of professional experience, and at least one member must be an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho or Eastern Shoshone Indian tribes. The bill also establishes a salary for commission members, outlines the election of a chairman and deputy chairman, and specifies the process for filling vacancies. Additionally, it includes provisions for legislative liaisons to serve as nonvoting members of the commission.

The bill repeals certain existing provisions and introduces new language regarding the commission's authority to employ staff and manage its operations. It mandates that the commission hold meetings as determined by its members and establishes a quorum requirement. Furthermore, it appropriates $965,000 from the pari-mutuel account for the salaries and benefits of the commission members and outlines the timeline for the transition to the new commission structure, with terms for new appointments commencing on March 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-25-101, 11-25-104, 11-25-201, 11-25-103