This bill amends existing public records laws in Wyoming to enhance the process for acknowledging and releasing public records. Key changes include a requirement for governmental entities to acknowledge receipt of public records requests within three business days and to release readily available records immediately upon acknowledgment. The timeframe for releasing public records has been reduced from thirty days to ten days, with provisions for extensions granted by the ombudsman if necessary. Additionally, the bill specifies that any governmental entity not classified as a state agency must adhere to uniform fees established by the department of administration and information, unless they can justify lower or higher fees.

The bill also increases the penalty for knowingly violating public records provisions from $750 to $2,000 and allows for the recovery of attorney fees for prevailing applicants in civil actions. Furthermore, it empowers the ombudsman to refer unresolved matters to the attorney general or district attorney for enforcement. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
26LSO-0051 v0.4: 16-4-202, 16-4-203, 16-4-204, 16-4-205