The bill introduces new provisions to the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, specifically addressing the liability of governmental entities in cases where peace officers or public officers violate regulations concerning firearms and related accessories. It establishes that these entities can be held liable for damages resulting from such violations, allowing injured parties to pursue civil actions in court. Additionally, the bill permits courts to impose civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation and mandates the payment of reasonable attorney fees to the injured party. Importantly, sovereign immunity cannot be used as a defense in these cases.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing definitions and provisions related to governmental immunity and the enforcement of federal firearm regulations. It explicitly includes peace officers in the definitions and clarifies that they, along with public officers, may assist federal authorities under certain circumstances. The amendments also ensure that the act does not prevent governmental entities from accepting federal funds for law enforcement purposes. The effective date for this legislation is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-39-103, 1-39-104, 9-14-203