[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6063674,"mediaKeyId","3264800-fd83dfdac95f1d3aa4888b73d4c5a17f","parentId",3264800,"title","Uniform Law Commission briefs committee on role of model acts after UCC investment proposal drew scrutiny","audioSeconds",725,"startMs",6694885,"endMs",7420795,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264800-fd83dfdac95f1d3aa4888b73d4c5a17f&start=6694&end=7420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264800-fd83dfdac95f1d3aa4888b73d4c5a17f/thumbnail_6694885.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063674/Wyoming/Uniform-Law-Commission-briefs-committee-on-role-of-model-acts-after-UCC-investment-proposal-drew-scrutiny","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063674-59c78f43860097166417dfee30752cec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485551&Signature=h~dj7cXm3lsAQUIOnAXBqiLRP0XVs8ZcQ0NMcZg4oc8rm8~Lzp5qxd9QceMBnKTOVrSOM-AkevNvi8A-mmGfPcZRjkX1X0cewGzrmq~F5lodecREEX7Omj-HZR7EVNRIxZJwkPZ96L7nZrACYhNzgXEH4WVDqKLHxZcb20g7rq1a~Efj3-KMLX-iZ5LoLyAhwDZ93Jcc5DJnCU3YqMVDycIaPXb6AO6V04Wl-YS4XZX3SojG6eBkqFTG-G5JvpDEu2aCe77pbymOUN0z3vET3LGM22cTTbYS0~zjNDRbr~dEFfjVo8xIGf4C5VG6KLb9Wj2JZaiBmv9mGKFQoMOI7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-05-10T10:01:50Z","article","Representatives of the Uniform Law Commission told the Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions interim committee that model acts are heavily vetted and designed to promote consistent commercial rules across states, and they offered technical assistance after lawmakers raised questions about a proposed change to the Uniform Commercial Code.

The commission representatives said states sometimes adapt uniform acts to local needs, and that the commission can bring subject-matter experts to explain the purpose and likely effects of proposed amendments.

Scott Meyer, a Wyoming Uniform Law Commission commissioner, said the commission studies and drafts proposed uniform statutes through multi-year review and broad input, then submits final drafts for state consideration. “The one that is pretty universal is probably the uniform commercial code because every state has adopted it,” Meyer said, explaining that commercial certainty drives widespread adoption of UCC provisions.

Allison Gee, a Wyoming commissioner and attorney, urged the committee to seek the commission’s input early when proposals would alter uniform laws. She described the commission’s multi-step process: study committees, drafting committees and full-commission review with invited stakeholders. She said the commission can bring experts to hearings and cautioned that changes to uniform acts can have cross-border commerce impacts.

The committee discussed Senate File 189, a recent measure that drew attention during the session for changes tied to Article 8 (securities intermediaries). The committee asked the Uniform Law Commission to provide written materials and technical comments on SF 189 and agreed to solicit sponsor and stakeholder briefs before deciding whether to put the topic on a future agenda.

No formal legislative action was taken on uniform laws at the hearing; the committee requested written materials and expert briefings to inform any possible follow-up work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, May 9, 2025-PM","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Uniform Law Commission explained the commission’s work to the Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions interim committee and offered to provide experts and written materials after lawmakers raised questions about recent proposals affecting Article 8 and securities intermediaries.","taxTitle","Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, Joint & Standing, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",21022,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063679,"Legislative committee asks staff to draft bill tightening public records rules, expanding ombudsman authority",6450,107895,6558760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264800-fd83dfdac95f1d3aa4888b73d4c5a17f&start=107&end=6558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264800-fd83dfdac95f1d3aa4888b73d4c5a17f/thumbnail_107895.jpg","/articles/6063679/Wyoming/Legislative-committee-asks-staff-to-draft-bill-tightening-public-records-rules-expanding-ombudsman-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063679-44ecd2d3408301998e56134f82f14b7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485551&Signature=YQrKDZYnerk9fokUFalHi3keMoEwnPSoEd7vF5fN6Q4Ei98hM3F21cD67~TsVh5ltNuxrtA5Xeeh9~lHC4ih~avYRYc7ZPSD0AmXoocwJRNguAnHrktqc-T0C8AQ7kCkjVT3UC1eRfQ3AGePHDr9NUKQjt5r~qMAY018KHwJL7x05rbo1dZcaf3bO3LQV073C5XTkZHnW0lw0VDv4O7493CTo9c9PkSCSfXREHYINt9VGnui1atOdKV~qr0dwqcUEclfup9CYuPiHscyhSBJWihVzizk8vOKvHW5oE5bB9WNOomlGIbOiugohKKe06fenM6vYOzAsWCAlXqJnOcE6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions interim committee voted to ask staff to draft legislation aimed at tightening Wyoming’s public-records and open-meetings processes and strengthening the state ombudsman’s role, after hours of testimony from journalists, county officials and members of the public.

Committee members said they want quicker statutory timelines, a standard fee framework and stronger enforcement powers for the ombudsman to reduce litigation and improve transparency across counties and municipalities.

The committee’s interest grew out of repeated testimony that local governments vary widely in how they handle requests and in the penalties for violations. Proponents said that as written the state’s law gives local bodies room to delay or deny requests and that the ombudsman lacks “teeth.” Opponents and some local officials urged balance, citing the workload on small offices and the rise of data-mining requests.

Bob Bonner, owner and publisher of the Newsletter Journal in Newcastle, described long-running local battles over records access and enforcement. “The ombudsman’s office really has no teeth,” Bonner said, arguing the 2019 statutory changes created loopholes that local officials exploit. He urged reversing language requiring requesters to prove officials acted “willfully and knowingly” and recommended reducing the statutory production period from 30 days back toward 10 days with a three-day acknowledgement requirement.

Representative Pepper Ottman, House District 34, urged a statewide framework to standardize redaction practices, time and page limits, and fee schedules so that small towns with one part-time clerk are not treated the same as larger, fully staffed jurisdictions. “If there could be a framework … standardized form that they can put on their official websites,” Ottman said, “that would help.”

Mayor Patrick Collins of Cheyenne described recurring monthly data-mining requests that impose heavy burdens on staff, listing examples that seek complete building-permit or purchasing records going back years. “It’s a lot to ask for,” Collins said, explaining his city uses software to track requests and sometimes charges for very large productions that include proprietary information.

County Attorney Joe Baron explained the practical trade-offs local officials face: large requests often require redaction of private data and extensive staff time. He noted county attorneys represent the county and its officers, and that charging fees or prioritizing records production is part of balancing statutory duties and daily operations.

Several witnesses proposed specific changes that the committee asked staff to draft. Suggestions included:
- Require an acknowledgement of a public-records request within three business days and production within 10 business days unless the ombudsman grants an extension (a 30-day maximum was discussed as the extended standard).
- Adopt the ANI fee schedule as a statewide baseline, with any local entity required to obtain ombudsman approval to exceed those fees.
- Give the ombudsman authority to require governments to seek ombudsman approval before charging any fee and to levy civil penalties for violations; consider enlarging the existing $750 penalty and authorizing recovery of attorney fees for prevailing requesters.

The committee’s co-chair, Senator Case, proposed the draft “straw man” that combined those elements and invited witnesses to submit additional written material. After discussion, the committee voted by voice to request a draft bill so members could review language before the next meeting; a roll-call tally was not recorded on the transcript.

Supporters told the committee that stronger enforcement and clearer timeframes would push local governments to post routine records online, reducing the need for individual requests. Critics — including some county and municipal officials — warned that modern data-mining tools and commercial requesters impose heavy, recurring burdens on small offices that can disrupt other public services and urged protections against “fishing expeditions.”

The committee directed staff to prepare draft legislation and to circulate proposals before the next meeting so members and stakeholders can respond in writing and at a future hearing.

The committee also asked for written cost and enforcement analysis, and for models used in other states (witnesses referenced Colorado’s higher fine and its effect on compliance). The committee did not vote on any final statutory text at this meeting.","The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions interim committee asked staff to draft legislation to shorten response times for public-records requests, standardize fees, and give the state ombudsman stronger authority to review fees and levy penalties, after hours of testimony from journalists, county attorneys and local officials.","actionData","errors"]

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Uniform Law Commission briefs committee on role of model acts after UCC investment proposal drew scrutiny

Legislative committee asks staff to draft bill tightening public records rules, expanding ombudsman authority