Committee expands eligibility for guard referral bonus to retirees and department employees

The Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee approved Senate File 27 to expand eligibility for the Wyoming National Guard member referral bonus. The program, previously adopted in prior sessions, awards a $500 bonus for a successful referral to the guard; SF27 adds additional categories of eligible nominators.

Lieutenant Colonel Karen Henkel presented the bill's redlined changes, explaining the amendment to Wyoming Stat. 19-9-403 would permit retired military service members, current Military Department employees and others listed in the bill text to receive the $500 referral bonus once a recruit completes enlistment. The bill includes definitions and stipulations about service characterization for retired service members.

Public comment in favor came from Bill Winnie of Sublette County, who described the importance of personal outreach and side conversations in recruitment and urged committee support. Committee members raised a fiscal-note question; Henkel and committee staff said no new appropriation appeared necessary because the funds for bonuses were already appropriated.

Senator Cooper moved the bill; Senator Anderson seconded. Roll-call votes recorded Senators Anderson, Brennan, Cooper and Chairman Pappas as voting aye and Senator Kolb excused. The committee recorded 4 ayes, 1 excused. Senator Cooper was assigned to carry the bill to the Senate floor.

The bill text specifies recruits must complete enlistment before the nominator may receive the bonus and defines eligible retired-service characterizations. No amendments were adopted in committee.