The Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee of the Wyoming Legislature convened on May 9, 2025, to discuss several key issues, primarily focusing on open meetings and public records requests.

The meeting began with a recognition of the need to address open meetings, which had not been a significant topic of discussion in previous sessions. Committee members expressed a desire to explore this further in future meetings. A proposal was put forth to draft legislation that would establish a structured timeline for public records requests. This timeline would require entities to acknowledge requests within three days and provide the requested information within ten days, with the possibility of extending this period to a maximum of thirty days with the ombudsman's approval.

Additionally, the committee discussed the potential for the ombudsman to waive fees for public records requests in the public interest. The proposal included a fee schedule based on rules established by the Administrative Rules and Regulations (ANI) for state agencies, while allowing entities to charge higher fees with the ombudsman's consent.

Another significant point of discussion was the authority of the ombudsman to impose civil penalties. The committee considered the possibility of the ombudsman receiving legal counsel from the attorney general's office to facilitate this process.

Furthermore, the committee contemplated whether elected officials' associations should be subject to public records requests, raising questions about whether this should be included in the current bill or addressed in separate legislation.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the committee's commitment to enhancing transparency in government operations through proposed changes to public records request processes and the role of the ombudsman. Future discussions are anticipated to refine these proposals and address the implications of including elected officials' associations in public records legislation.