LSO briefs Management Council on out-of-state travel rules and courtesy funds expenditures
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Summary
LSO research analyst reviewed how six states handle out-of-state travel reimbursements and recommended considerations; staff also reported courtesy funds' incorporation and recent expenditures, including $64,002 in 2024 out-of-state meetings and year-to-date $84,000.
Clayton Caldwell, a research analyst with the Legislative Service Office, summarized a memo comparing out-of-state travel reimbursement policies used by six states. He explained that leadership usually approves travel, that some states set per-member caps or stipends (Montana, Utah examples), and that processes and oversight vary. Members asked about administrative costs and whether a flat stipend might reduce paperwork; Caldwell said the research noted tradeoffs and that implementation details (replenishment frequency, oversight) matter.
Separately, Tamara Veil and Heather Cameron reported that the three courtesy funds (senate, house, legislative spouses) are incorporated as Wyoming nonprofit mutual benefit corporations and operate under bylaws and resolutions. They reported last year's out-of-state meeting expenditures ($64,002 in 2024) and year-to-date spending ($84,000), with House expenditures around $23,500 and Senate about $12,550; the spouses fund spent roughly $1,100 last year.
Council members asked follow-ups about cost-benefit analysis of stipends versus reimbursement and directed staff to continue monitoring. No votes were required on these informational items.