[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6661338,"mediaKeyId","2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb","parentId",2414300,"title","Committee passes election‑transparency package: paper ballots, citizenship proof, higher recount threshold","audioSeconds",6885,"startMs",3215000,"endMs",10100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb&start=3215&end=10100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb/thumbnail_3215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661338/Wyoming/Committee-passes-electiontransparency-package-paper-ballots-citizenship-proof-higher-recount-threshold","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661338-c3b401658bf9df36ad25eaf424bd367c/orig.mp4?Expires=1769850003&Signature=ha9QBdLxih8Z4MuIdeTxFJGDKPBdeaGUmYwt1N28zUda4yk5pS67ZD3bQ0dO6H8BCTggNgNb0zqKCWWmrp429VTX0RjOOpm-cKF99Zu0yb8AFSZMIbITOI-EOVfbp7esL0qhbXSGmrA8Ca9DzH82zGOzJEJ~aiNZ1Ev2EGmWqztZSwZoK0NxVfd1pFEYxQdSDW0VLu9yVLGNKy7uh33rLYSipYuhQ2qznNjByU6yU99FJ9T3kU2ubXFsmK-7eyG1QDZmj0unpc19DpaYjCA3oBmdP9Vb65OcorDD80A1h-xQPqMwAQCmilLLnfO67Q9i3uw-goEt~0Fdzj2eksrJMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee","date","2025-02-27T04:03:02.34Z","article","The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee voted to pass Senate File 190, an election‑transparency measure that incorporates three principal components: a statutory default requiring paper ballots for in‑person voting, proof of United States citizenship for voter registration, and revisions to recount procedures that raise some recount thresholds and provide for the state to help cover hand‑recount costs. The committee approved the bill in roll call (8 ayes, 1 no).

President Beitman, the bill sponsor, told members the measure bundles a number of election proposals into a single bill to address concerns about ballot auditability and voter eligibility. \"This bill aims to enhance election integrity and transparency in Wyoming by requiring the use of paper ballots for all in person voting and establishing mandated hand counts and proof of US citizenship for registration,\" he said. Sponsors said the bill also moves the primary date by one week to allow time for potential hand recounts and creates an election recount account to pay for hand recounts when triggered.

The bill drew extensive testimony and amendments. Secretary of State staff expressed broad support for the three core concepts but urged careful drafting on technical points and recommended certain clarifications. County clerks and the Wyoming County Clerks Association urged changes to make the bill administrable, proposed narrow technical edits, and pressed to restore some early‑voting time (clerks asked to retain a 28‑day early‑voting window rather than the bill’s 21‑day period). Laramie County Clerk Deborah Lee described how ballot‑marking devices (touchscreen machines that print a paper ballot) work at vote centers and said those ballots are auditable; other speakers criticized the barcode‑based tabulation that complicates simple visual reconciliation.

Public testimony included a range of views: the League of Women Voters cautioned about the numeric and constitutional constraints of county‑based representation (in the redistricting debate earlier) and urged care before shortening access to early voting; civic groups urged more time for clerks to administer any changes; advocates for hand counts and groups aligned with election‑integrity interests urged stronger auditability and easier access to hand recounts. The committee adopted several technical amendments recommended by the secretary of state and county clerks, and the bill passed committee on a roll call (8 ayes, 1 no).

Key changes approved in committee include: (1) making paper ballots the default for in‑person voting while preserving disability accommodations and an explicit carve‑out to accommodate Laramie County’s ballot‑marking device process so long as a printed ballot is produced; (2) specifying acceptable proofs of U.S. citizenship for registration; (3) raising the automatic hand‑recount threshold in some circumstances and giving candidates the ability to request a machine or hand recount; (4) creating a state election recount account and reimbursement rules for county costs tied to hand recounts; and (5) moving the primary date one week earlier in the calendar.

Committee members debated the proper default for in‑person voting, the operational impact on county clerks, the balance between accessibility and auditability, and the administrative details of implementing hand recounts and reimbursement. The committee advanced the bill after adopting clerk‑and‑secretary staff amendments and several clarifying edits; the measure now proceeds to further floor consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, February 26, 2025-Upon Adjournment","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved Senate File 190, an omnibus‑style election transparency measure that enshrines pen‑and‑paper ballots as the default for in‑person voting, mandates U.S. citizenship proof for registration, raises some recount triggers and creates reimbursement mechanics for hand recounts; final committee vote was 8 ayes, 1 no.","taxTitle","Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61352,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":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},6661344,"Committee approves Physical Therapy Licensure Compact; bill streamlines multistate practice",568,2609000,3177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb&start=2609&end=3177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb/thumbnail_2609000.jpg","/articles/6661344/Wyoming/Committee-approves-Physical-Therapy-Licensure-Compact-bill-streamlines-multistate-practice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661344-c6dac307d08a65f9675facdf06b01871/orig.mp4?Expires=1769850003&Signature=CRiPiT8nwfwtUuU43S83e4Qsba9zlpyTl8XedI7G6mWhJFekEB5fCDxe20svDTfHHCEFF-IIGUwOm5xAcSmwQm5T8qZJQZUy-~NRMdxvb0~g-bXNaErdA9O89DNSEmprksb7Qjr9mdWdwPpwS7GCN~uDaGUV634TrIPhU7YmFx6ehj7myFiEHrOQl0hG572BVGjK6zD5ip~GUfJ5BqzLrbKNoZxPXMNro0uiK~5inWbWxrvQ1aiLsoX0etp4RDvagVXIYIhSJ10B7gvrOfAchmNNuCvJtkcdJK8qB565~h8z5qxXCfYH7osHkGOFvf7xW9bprgyD7PzD3-LmdGe5EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee approved Senate File 172 to allow Wyoming to join the interstate Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. The committee recorded a roll‑call outcome in which the measure passed (tally: 6 ayes, 3 nos).

Supporters said the compact reduces regulatory barriers for physical therapists who move between compact member states or provide services across state lines, streamlining licensure with a single compact privilege and a nominal fee rather than a full new state license. The presenter said the compact already counts 38 member states and that Wyoming’s board would retain authority to enforce professional standards and discipline licensees practicing in the state. \"The licensing board for the state still has to go out there and enforce all the standards,\" the sponsor said.

Skeptics raised concerns from licensed practitioners about potential fee shifts and competitive impacts. Minority Leader Yin relayed survey results mentioned by a local practitioner — 27 of 300 chapter members responded in favor — and asked whether out‑of‑state compact privilege holders would stop paying Wyoming license fees. Sponsor testimony said out‑of‑state clinicians typically pay a compact fee in their home state and that administration by the state board should be feasible.

Committee members questioned whether the compact addresses rural shortages and whether state boards can administer compact rules without major changes. Department and board staff indicated they could administer the compact though some administrative details and fee structures vary by state. The committee advanced the bill with the recorded vote; no floor amendments were adopted in committee.","Senate File 172 passed the committee to enable Wyoming to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing licensed therapists from compact states to practice in Wyoming via a compact privilege rather than a separate Wyoming license; the vote was 6 ayes, 3 nos.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":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},6661347,"Committee approves study into constitutional apportionment, seeks 'good‑faith' county‑line approach",1809,731000,2540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb&start=731&end=2540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb/thumbnail_731000.jpg","/articles/6661347/Wyoming/Committee-approves-study-into-constitutional-apportionment-seeks-goodfaith-countyline-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661347-ad3b05d27579b71ee6e13dbbb041fc8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1769850003&Signature=PhP5-miSy4ZaAAvIguv9MOYY3Vwhdd~0hg-9DEgbGHJu5oC-kw9iytfm2iT4LbE7DJTxb9xOTIbUmOenzc8n7t6KtI6S6OekRGfwfTWUrMUjL96pP5BwIlCrMrL1yI57nhXUD00ZDnuPdxNp4JUGR-T9oWfXbh0JUNUrQHO7BCdCXlJj1VkmdIajgS62Kzj8Z7BNmPkItd3gHNVO-7P8uBRHCI4kl4p34vXa7eCoBiTrP~yWs8VkdNhW2b5saODVptmdhOMgfExq3Ojhrf0LQB3LpedtwZgP9BcfOt1XSMWD3TmJVHYyY9I7tpOPwek1C93HdrtjgSs~Cfcew3eR2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee passed Senate File 174, a bill directing the management council to assign legislative apportionment to a study committee during the 2025 interim and to explore approaches that make a \"good‑faith effort\" to align legislative districts with county lines where practicable. The roll call recorded nine ayes and the bill passed the committee.

Senator Driscoll, who sponsored the bill, said the proposal responds to concerns from several northeastern and western Wyoming counties that believe the state Constitution's language — which historically sought a senator and representative per county and to keep county lines intact — has not been followed since federal equal‑protection rulings implementing one person, one vote. \"The founders wanted county lines respected in a very large way,\" he said, adding the bill provides findings and a path to study whether the constitution can be followed or whether a constitutional amendment is needed.

The bill requires the management council to commission a study during the interim and notes the study may recommend statutory or constitutional changes; it does not itself change apportionment. Proponents framed the bill as a planning vehicle that would allow the Legislature to develop redistricting principles in a non‑contentious, out‑of‑cycle setting rather than during immediate redistricting debates.

Opponents and cautioning voices raised constitutional and practical constraints tied to the U.S. Constitution's equal‑protection standards and to the Supreme Court precedent on one person, one vote. Marguerite Herman of the League of Women Voters and others noted the numerical disparities among counties mean literal application of county‑based representation would massively increase the size of the Legislature or leave large populations underrepresented. \"Government represents people. They don't represent acres,\" Herman said, urging the committee to weigh equal‑representation principles.

Witnesses included local county constituents, and policy staff from the Secretary of State's office indicated support for the bill's approach to study apportionment. The committee recorded a roll call and approved the measure (tally: 9 ayes). The bill now proceeds to further legislative steps for consideration.","Senate File 174 passed the committee after proponents said the bill directs a management‑council study of legislative apportionment and asks the legislature to explore ways to better follow Article III, Section 3 of the Wyoming Constitution while respecting the federal one‑person‑one‑vote requirement.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":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},6661350,"Committee approves bill to require 911 outage reporting and change PSAP reporting calendar",592,101000,693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb&start=101&end=693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414300-5c6637e15a274c37001cb217e587f2eb/thumbnail_101000.jpg","/articles/6661350/Wyoming/Committee-approves-bill-to-require-911-outage-reporting-and-change-PSAP-reporting-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661350-958888b35286e0c07037cf96755b9219/orig.mp4?Expires=1769850003&Signature=jBXcbjiimRTjKuSFpHZO94oqwtnkA-AV6P2xkceXgK86nXYmeD0M8gaK1jXAC0YRuf01cNv5Tbl5wdGvXGj3Wg503Jxn5m~Ep186FHNXkSaqDz2VXFlThc0RVUJRawu8wKJ-5Yw4y6WEjOuE7t1WzCoxXz5qGX0JyLRZ5pRQ1MBDzea4BhLymkSUPJfZOgiFI8g97QAmWn7Y7Gtca85YdD0mD-VGmDQwHlS1koMIdsTIDlpaDnGIiCuBUNRfZiLjw3zXd9kwfy9Vg1qftOwirjvfRGcapGmNSXSudjR1R~G1WnVR3wgwqW0cvDtIYYnDO5eUiE0Yzifc78fNb-0sZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee passed Senate File 57, a bill to require outage-notification and reporting rules for telecommunications failures that affect 9-1-1 service and to change PSAP (public safety answering point) financial reporting to a calendar year, the committee said. The motion carried in committee (tally: 5 ayes).

The bill directs the Public Service Commission to work with local PSAPs and industry partners to promulgate rules establishing when and how outages that affect 9-1-1 service must be reported to local dispatch centers and the public. The measure also moves the statutory reporting period for PSAP collections and expenditures from the fiscal year to the calendar year so the state has timely data needed to meet federal grant eligibility requirements.

Nate Smolinski, Wyoming 9-1-1 state coordinator, told the committee the bill grew out of interim outreach to counties and PSAPs that reported gaps in how outages are notified to citizens. Smolinski said federal FCC thresholds for mandatory notification — an example cited was a requirement triggered at 900,000 user-minutes of downtime — do not align with Wyoming's rural service footprint, and can leave counties without timely notice for days or weeks. \"We heard from across the state regarding their challenges and some of the impacts to our citizens when the 911 systems were going down and they didn't have the outage notification they required,\" Smolinski said.

Chris Petrie, deputy chairman of the Public Service Commission, told the committee the commission plans rulemaking that aims to produce \"the simplest and least burdensome system that will get timely and useful information to the local PSAPs.\"

Representatives of local public-safety organizations urged passage. Alan Thompson, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, said members operate the state's PSAPs and supported the bill as a way to gather better data. Chief Matt Johnson of Torrington testified in support, saying better notification of 9-1-1 outages and future grant opportunities would \"make a significant positive impact in our ability to take care of our community and keep people safe.\"

The bill includes authorization for the Public Service Commission to work with telcos and PSAPs to create practical workflows for outage identification and notification and a small statutory change to move PSAP financial reporting to the calendar year so state agencies can assemble timely data for federal grant applications. Committee members and witnesses said additional work is expected next interim on funding and the migration to next-generation 9-1-1 systems.

The committee recorded the vote in open session; tally and named ayes were captured in the roll-call record. The bill now moves on to further committee or floor steps as required by legislative process.","The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee passed Senate File 57 to require outage reporting rules for cellular and other telecommunications outages affecting public safety answering points (PSAPs) and to move PSAP financial reporting to a calendar year to preserve federal grant eligibility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee passes election‑transparency package: paper ballots, citizenship proof, higher recount threshold

Committee approves Physical Therapy Licensure Compact; bill streamlines multistate practice

Committee approves study into constitutional apportionment, seeks 'good‑faith' county‑line approach

Committee approves bill to require 911 outage reporting and change PSAP reporting calendar