[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6683609,"mediaKeyId","2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8","parentId",2149272,"title","Committee approves changes letting coroners dispose of property from unclaimed decedents; unclaimed funds over $50 to state treasurer","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6067000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8&start=6067&end=6067","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8/thumbnail_6067000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6683609/Wyoming/Committee-approves-changes-letting-coroners-dispose-of-property-from-unclaimed-decedents-unclaimed-funds-over-50-to-state-treasurer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683609-077b8bcdffc0e6bcab46df8abe4f5656/orig.mp4?Expires=1774950091&Signature=SmJLC~juzVAWh6Lh3KIrixJQVoM4Q2Y7EE5IZ1ye~wA1EENo8T744B0Mh5Ee~ZiOOw4PQA3cvjgLpe5rEqV5GG-Mr6PsDljal6ow-sEHLxPB6XhSAaadDpFsBdchA89cbbsiUx7dydPUepeGM6cTlP21WpynJek37CYOW5aGV9WQIaH8LguB1cPnxRIuFsEpz5jmwsnPv55tsfZ21K3rJS4QciOwQI6tYouoXNFDYY1Yo9VGNGQc7yG4LbVu4IDtNAF20CxGL47mbyE686PuHrMwD-6WIstPO~VQK~wJROuhK~nrXyDG7oESpLRC43pnJDJSlC~03-JhWHHHA-dSYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-01-24T21:16:17.597Z","article","Senate File 75, a measure to modernize how coroners and counties handle money and property found with unclaimed decedents, was amended and advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Amanda Sanchez, Fremont County clerk of district court, and Diane Sanchez, Laramie County clerk of district court, described practical problems under the current statute, which requires coroners to deliver property over $50 to the clerk of district court but provides no clear disposal process. \"At this time ... the current law does not give us a direction on how to dispose of that property besides taking it to the Clerk of District Court,\" Amanda Sanchez told the committee, adding that some clerks have been storing items such as earbuds, a truck or a trailer because there is no clear disposal procedure.

The bill draft directs coroners to sell property at public auction or by another county-adopted sale method, apply proceeds first to burial expenses, and deposit any remaining money into the county general fund. During committee discussion members proposed tighter language to balance a county's burial-cost needs with protections for potential heirs. Committee amendments replaced the term \"reasonable time\" for claim by next of kin with a fixed 180-day period and directed that remaining funds and proceeds in excess of $50 be delivered to the State Treasurer's unclaimed-property division rather than retained in the county general fund.

Senator Hicks raised concerns about inconsistent practices among 23 counties and the administrative burden of varying local rules; another senator urged flexibility for counties to use practical sale methods (for example, small-item disposition vs. online auctions) while maintaining public notice. Clerk Sanchez said coroners sometimes consider auctions disrespectful for personal items and asked for county-level policy flexibility.

Under the adopted changes the process in the bill reads: coroners may sell property by public auction or other county-adopted means, use sale proceeds to pay burial costs, and remit remaining funds and proceeds over $50 to the State Treasurer's unclaimed-property account; items or proceeds at or below $50 would be retained by the county (to fund burial expenses) under the amended language. The committee voted to advance the bill by roll call (4 ayes, 1 excused).

Votes at a glance: Committee adopted amendments (180‑day claim period; unclaimed funds over $50 to State Treasurer) and reported Senate File 75 out of committee 4–0 (1 excused).

Background: Sponsors said the statute dates to the early 1900s and does not address modern concerns such as cell phones or vehicles found with decedents. Clerks and coroners asked for a uniform statutory framework to avoid indefinite local storage of property.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary Committee, January 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 75 would update an early-1900s statute to allow coroners to dispose of property found on unclaimed decedents, require proceeds to pay burial expenses first, deposit remaining funds over $50 with the State Treasurer's unclaimed-property account, and set a 180‑day claim period.","taxTitle","Judiciary Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61172,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683612,"Committee clarifies judicial review of agency actions, limits appeals by public employees absent contested-case findings",2538,2510000,5048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8&start=2510&end=5048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8/thumbnail_2510000.jpg","/articles/6683612/Wyoming/Committee-clarifies-judicial-review-of-agency-actions-limits-appeals-by-public-employees-absent-contested-case-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683612-6e2c66fd337d12de9da0c1e32f7004fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774950091&Signature=PzM~~WXQmNoOvvY6zp7w2IICJ65AHjEpst1uHMAW4x0lS6VgWCKFlHoc~Xpy6~w713bl3jZvXthGxVBk5zGCXaOrNi-l6clw~lwjYaPElWEPXTi2H9-ADJF0Z3eS6Hm~nxq5GKPDq8KxT~mLwEDKJARB-X84PB28NlFa3vSn16OTeUMeR1oOD-I~mMe0DQdk~EEPoTVHx-0z9xDo4CS66aYJ3sGePVLv5A1BNILHdvRzIvXlDv6blo7RgMjlgSEun-ndRZ2T5KcxoY4kfWgQbzFUeBDz~K1qPayfsEbdMamNxd3p9btf3zbRgZFGq6D2PVcjMJ4jSglH4gXsVtdPCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate File 115, a restructuring and clarification of Wyoming's judicial-review statute, to limit routine appeals to district court for public-employment disciplinary actions unless those actions are final decisions in a contested case.

Senator Nethercott, sponsor of the bill, said the draft reorganizes existing language in what is cited in testimony as \"163-114\" (the statute governing judicial review) to make clear who may petition for judicial review and under what circumstances. \"Any person aggrieved or adversely affected in fact by a final decision of any agency in a contested case ... is entitled to judicial review,\" the bill states in the restructured language, and it emphasizes exhaustion of administrative remedies before a court petition.

The draft also adds an explicit provision that the right of judicial review does not apply to actions or inaction regarding public employment unless the action is a final decision of an agency in a contested case or judicial review is otherwise provided by law. Sponsor testimony stressed the change is intended to prevent routine personnel management decisions, such as low-level discipline, from automatically prompting district-court appeals that burden agencies and courts and can chill routine supervisory actions.

Committee members asked whether the change could increase appeals; the sponsor said the fiscal note's suggestion that appeals might increase appeared incorrect and that, in his view, the bill would reduce litigation over routine disciplinary actions. Senators also discussed why the statutory language references common law in addition to statutes; sponsor testimony explained that public-employment law draws on statutes and case law because constitutional and due-process issues can attach to government employment.

The committee moved Senate File 115 by roll call (4 ayes, 1 excused). The motion was made by Senator Kolb and seconded by Senator Hicks.

Votes at a glance: Senate File 115 advanced from committee to the floor by a 4–0 vote (1 excused).

Background: Testimony described a rise in suits by public employees seeking court review of written reprimands and other management actions; the bill aims to clarify the limits of judicial review and encourage exhaustion of administrative remedies.","Senate File 115 restructures and clarifies the statute governing judicial review of agency decisions, specifying that routine public employment actions are not subject to district-court review unless they are final decisions in a contested case.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683614,"Senate committee advances bill banning most noncompete agreements, exempts business sales and certain professionals",1241,1200000,2441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8&start=1200&end=2441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8/thumbnail_1200000.jpg","/articles/6683614/Wyoming/Senate-committee-advances-bill-banning-most-noncompete-agreements-exempts-business-sales-and-certain-professionals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683614-378d93fb25dc42a4c2e73e56a4552c82/orig.mp4?Expires=1774950091&Signature=I0KG2GhZnzE~nML-VB-dG2xvoMrKVxb5pQSwfgzRdg9-wS7C8jgOGJll-Gla4TQWaAzyqYXHfCvLuKtHMHGiTFNA4uoO-YKsy28cJ3pAuajxZbe9g-eH62nRCg2TfVxDtt8H1uvCaos5KKcsRrXPwnTlR~Gix7WhTUNigN2mRzN-uqRivF86wsxm46cWM2ar-KdEcHV8gL546bM4JHvyxb6fBIgsK4~z-uXnzRSmWw0YmoessjM28hMv9rNgcR4qGA~jqawdkwDeDIj~ESJ6FChqhX8Q~lr2rDAhLjX7onWS4Ffn~mh3lS6~T2u1a-tvQ7ItkF-qSH6iMQ2PmEF2Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 107, which would void most employer-employee noncompete agreements entered on or after July 1, 2025, was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee following a lengthy policy debate and public testimony.

\"Any covenant not to compete that restricts the right of any person to receive compensation for performance of skilled or unskilled labor shall be void,\" Majority Floor Leader Senator Nethercott told the committee as he described the bill. The draft includes several explicit exceptions: covenants in contracts for the sale of a business or business assets; protection for trade secrets; contractual recovery for employee training or education expenses limited to less than two years; and noncompete provisions for executive and management personnel.

The bill contains a physician-specific provision that would void any covenant preventing a physician from practicing medicine after the termination of employment, partnership, or corporate affiliation, while maintaining other enforceable contract provisions. The draft preserves narrow nonsolicitation rights for physicians in rare-disease situations to allow continuity of care where alternatives are unlikely.

Senator Nethercott described statewide litigation that has reached the Wyoming Supreme Court and said noncompetes have had the effect of restricting competition and continuity of care, particularly in rural areas. \"These noncompetes ... prohibit employees from working in their occupation within their own communities,\" he said, citing cases involving home health aides, sales personnel and physicians.

A small-business owner, Joey Carrante, testified in support of the bill, saying noncompetes can reach far beyond high-wage professionals to bar essential service providers — from barbers to digital-media contractors — from working in their communities. Carrante also asked the committee to consider whether partnership buyouts and dissolutions are adequately covered by the draft.

Committee members discussed the scope of the physician provisions and whether the Medical Practice Act definitions might cover other health-care professionals. Senator Nethercott said the physician carve-out is deliberate: \"We're saying you can't do that anymore, physicians. UR services are too important to your patients to do this. If you want some other financial penalty associated with leaving the partnership, that's fine. Go ahead and do that. But it cannot concern the prohibition of the ability to practice medicine.\"

The measure applies to contracts entered on or after July 1, 2025; contracts made before that date would remain enforceable. The committee approved Senate File 107 by roll call (recorded as four ayes, one excused). The motion to move the bill was made by Senator Crago. Committee members noted the bill originated from a prior joint judiciary committee interim draft and has been revised after public discussion.

Votes at a glance: Senate File 107 moved from committee to the floor by a 4–0 vote (1 excused).

Background: The sponsor cited multiple Wyoming Supreme Court decisions and national policy debates, and referenced an earlier FTC rulemaking effort that had created uncertainty in this area.

Implementation: The bill's effective date is July 1, 2025, and it preserves previously executed noncompete agreements signed before that date.","Senate File 107, branded \"freedom to work and build business,\" would void most noncompetes for employment contracts entered on or after July 1, 2025, while preserving exceptions for business sale agreements, trade secrets, limited training-cost recovery, executives, and physicians.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683617,"Senate panel OKs bill allowing district courts to change venue, adds savings clause and court rulemaking authority",1081,102000,1183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8&start=102&end=1183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149272-8a270f294a992fbff0b8c2bd32d3f9e8/thumbnail_102000.jpg","/articles/6683617/Wyoming/Senate-panel-OKs-bill-allowing-district-courts-to-change-venue-adds-savings-clause-and-court-rulemaking-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683617-6812192f65c9d1b60e1950c6db628f3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774950091&Signature=WR4qILor62uN6Qva2~B4QaHBtBEGs~5AAkg3ivBNaP3Tbkl9JZE9SKxXPJn9KT~6Jz36v5wUNQXr-hK4tfNQilh2pttcKfAHBeKT18XBDHu-wVcW4Hd3LOfz1Zbsywh6ymS8hUCL7KjOUIFl~fq74N2gmB7J6nvcb9MVGFKdEyqH0Mox8H8CnEWYvKm5jYOD5yZpJGeizJZ3ELxwshgBsKhmWed3bjMRGEjsmrvlwkslqlDd3YtQbqMCWOfOJ32T6ts42qQvbXJJdcQqeNuNzb0TNechrkTsdObeIde0ZFOdNnsjrA-tL2NIjB3bXMgZ9LMCXg8uGPIvxykDrvBsKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 79, a two-page bill to allow district courts to transfer civil cases filed in the wrong venue and preserve the plaintiff's original filing date, was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee after debate and an amendment.

The legislation would permit a district court, on its own motion or on request of a party, to order a change of venue and include a savings clause so that the original filing date applies if a case is transferred. \"What this says is if you happen to file in the wrong in the wrong venue and the court orders it to be changed or transferred ... your original filing date is the filing date for the cause of action,\" said Senator Barry Grego, who presented the bill.

Former Senator Nicholas described problems that have arisen under current practice: filings made just before the statute of limitations can be dismissed when a case is found to have been filed in an incorrect county, and the physical record (the \"case jacket\") historically impeded transfer. \"We want to make sure you get the benefit of the time that you first filed,\" Former Senator Nicholas said, urging language that preserves plaintiffs' rights while allowing courts to administratively transfer cases in the electronic-filing era.

Alisa Butler, state court administrator for the Wyoming Judicial Branch, urged adding rulemaking authority so the courts can adopt procedures to implement the change. Butler told the committee the proposed language mirrors other provisions in the Code of Civil Procedure and would let the Supreme Court adopt rules for administering transfers. \"Constitutionally the court has that authority now ... but this does allow for that extra level of basically authority to allow the courts to adopt rules specific to this statutory change,\" Butler said.

Committee members discussed whether the bill should cover other trial courts (for example, chancery courts) and whether the statute should say the court \"shall\" rather than \"may\" transfer a case in some circumstances. Senator Grego and Former Senator Nicholas said the savings clause was the bill's central feature and that many implementation details are best delegated to court rulemaking to avoid an unwieldy statute.

The committee adopted an amendment (moved by Senator Crago) to make explicit that the Supreme Court may adopt rules governing proceedings under the section, with the word \"section\" replacing \"article\" in the draft language. The committee then voted on Senate File 79; the roll call recorded four ayes, one excused. The committee record shows the bill was moved by Senator Cole.

Votes at a glance: The committee adopted the Supreme Court rulemaking amendment and voted 4–0 (1 excused) to advance Senate File 79 to the floor.

Background: The bill references venue provisions in the Code of Civil Procedure (Title 1, Chapter 5) and aims to align statutory procedure with electronic filing and the statewide jurisdiction of Wyoming courts.

Future steps: The committee indicated staff and the Judicial Branch would work on precise statutory language and possible inclusion of other trial courts before the bill moves forward.","The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Senate File 79 to allow district courts to transfer cases for improper venue and preserve original filing dates; the committee adopted an amendment giving the Supreme Court rulemaking authority for the new procedure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves changes letting coroners dispose of property from unclaimed decedents; unclaimed funds over $50 to state treasurer

Committee clarifies judicial review of agency actions, limits appeals by public employees absent contested-case findings

Senate committee advances bill banning most noncompete agreements, exempts business sales and certain professionals

Senate panel OKs bill allowing district courts to change venue, adds savings clause and court rulemaking authority