The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee advanced Senate File 55 on a voice and roll-call vote after adopting two committee amendments: removal of an exemption for attorneys and certified public accountants, and an increase in the one-time appropriation for system work to $150,000.

The bill would require third-party filers who receive compensation for filing documents on behalf of business entities and who submit 10 or more documents in a calendar year to register with the Secretary of State's Office. Required application information in the draft includes the filers legal name, home address, phone number, email and a driver's license or other identification; business contact information must also be provided if applicable. Sponsors said the 10-document threshold tracks an existing definition used for commercial registered agents.

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray told the committee the change targets serial third-party filers who operate outside the visibility and oversight the office has for registered agents and commercial registered agents. "We're very concerned that some of these registered agents are filing documents and signing documents with individuals that are not real people," Gray said. He said the office has identified instances where public addresses are listed on filings for entities without the occupants' knowledge.

The committee debated whether to exempt Wyoming-licensed attorneys and CPAs; Senator Steinmetz offered an amendment to remove the exemption and the committee adopted it. The committee also adopted an amendment, offered by Senator Dockstader, increasing the one-time appropriation for a new WyoSuite module to $150,000; the sponsor said the office refined an earlier $100,000 estimate after additional technical review.

The bill includes confidentiality provisions and an administrative penalty structure for violations. Committee members and the secretary emphasized rulemaking language would be used to set procedures for reporting address changes and other ongoing compliance.

Motion and vote: The committee voted by roll call to advance Senate File 55 as amended; the recorded vote was 5 ayes, 0 nays. The committee designated a member to carry the bill to the floor and noted the measure will proceed to appropriations for the requested one-time funding.

Why it matters: Supporters said the measure will help the Secretary of States Office and county officials curb filings made by impersonators or by companies that use third-party filers with limited transparency. County assessors who testified in related hearings said the change helps them identify filings that misstate a physical address and can harm elderly or uninformed residents who find their homes listed on business filings.

Next steps: Senate File 55 was advanced from committee with amendments and will continue through the legislative process, with appropriations review for the requested WyoSuite development funding.