Panel approves bill to give some statewide elected officials more hiring flexibility, adds HR staffing amendment

Representative Andrew presented House Bill 324 to the Judiciary Committee, saying the bill aligns the human resources practices of four statewide elected offices with those used by other executive entities and would allow the elected officials to hire staff who align with their vision.

"Wyoming is an at-will employment state," Representative Andrew said. "Our legislative staff are at will. The judicial branch operates under at will employment as well. Yet our independently elected statewide officials . . . are still bound by bureaucratic structures that hinder their ability to govern efficiently and effectively." He said the bill applies language modeled on the statute governing the Legislative Service Office and would not alter preexisting contracts entered into before July 1, 2025.

Witnesses representing the impacted offices and executive-branch agencies gave mixed testimony. Treasurer Kurt Meyer and Deputy Treasurer Don Williams said delays in classification and compensation work have hindered their ability to recruit and retain specialized staff. Deputy Williams gave concrete examples, saying a requested attorney reclassification first raised in 2023 was not scheduled for a study until 2024 and that a full study likely would not conclude until 2026.

"If I even wait until this summer, it will have been 2 years since the first time I asked for reclassification of that position," Deputy Williams said. He urged the committee to consider returning some HR functions to the individual elected offices so those offices can respond more quickly to operational needs.

The governor's office opposed making approximately 200 employees at-will and warned of costs and operational risks. Betsy Anderson, deputy chief of staff and general counsel for Governor Gordon, told the panel that some elected offices have operational responsibilities—such as elections, investments and federal- funds administration—that rely on institutional knowledge and permanent employees.

"Making these approximately 200 employees at will certainly grows the cost of government, not with the number of positions, but by ever increasing salaries due to their at will status," Anderson said.

Patricia Bach, director of the Department of Administration & Information (A&I), provided data on the current mix of at-will and permanent employees in the four offices: the treasurer's office she said is roughly 43% at-will, the secretary of state's office 13%, the auditor 26% and the superintendent 8%. She characterized the human resources division's work as subject to budget and JAC oversight and said many classification requests are processed quickly; she also noted that the agency maintains controls intended to ensure consistent statewide pay and classification practices.

Committee members debated several amendments. One proposed change would have let each statewide official decide which of their employees are at-will; that amendment was discussed but not moved. The committee did approve a different amendment that halves the proposed appropriation for shared HR staff, resulting in one legislatively authorized full-time HR position to serve the covered offices instead of two.

At roll call, Senators Kolb and Chairman Olsen voted aye and Senator Crago voted no; two members were excused. The committee report shows the bill "due passed amended." Representative Andrew said he would remain available if the committee needs further information.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 324 (as amended) — Motion to pass amended bill: outcome carried (ayes: Senator Kolb; Chairman Olsen; no: Senator Crago; excused: Senator Crump; Senator Hicks).