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Committee backs expansion of Wyoming National Guard referral bonus program
Summary
Lawmakers voted to sponsor a bill expanding eligibility for the National Guard referral bonus program to include retirees, military department employees and recruits starting enlistment; the program has paid 54 bonuses since July 2023 and requires no additional appropriation for current payouts, testimony said.
The Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs committee voted to sponsor legislation to broaden Wyoming's National Guard referral bonus program, extending eligibility to retired service members and certain military employees and allowing recruits beginning enlistment to make eligible referrals.
Talise Hanson of the Legislative Service Office presented bill draft 25 LSO 78. The draft amends Wyoming statute 19-9-403 to expand the standing referral incentive and sets an effective date of July 1, 2025.
Chris Smith of the Wyoming Military Department told the committee the program, which began in July 2023, has issued "54 referral bonuses" to date and has had an effect equivalent to almost 2% of total force strength. "There's plenty of money still left to pay out," Smith said and told lawmakers the program was originally narrow to limit fraud and that the proposal expands eligibility while keeping controls in place.
Committee members questioned timing of payments and fraud safeguards. Smith said the draft includes a safeguard that a referring recruit will not receive a bonus until the recruit becomes a member — for these purposes that means graduation from basic training. "When they graduate basic, they are then a member," he said.
After brief discussion and no public testimony, the committee approved sponsorship by roll-call vote. The staff-drafted measure will advance for consideration by the full Legislature.
