Wyoming Public Meeting Law
The Wyoming Public Meeting Law legislates the methods by which public meetings are conducted. Chapter 16 Article 4 of the Wyoming statutes define the law.
[edit] Relevant legal cases
- See also: Court cases with an impact on state FOIA
Here is a list of open meetings lawsuits in Wyoming. For more information go the page or go to Wyoming sunshine lawsuits.
(The cases are listed alphabetically. To order them by year please click the icon to the right of the Year heading)
| Lawsuit | Year |
|---|---|
| Workers Compensation Claim of Decker v. State of Wyoming | 2008 |
[edit] Proposed open meetings legislation
[edit] 2010
We do not currently have any legislation for Wyoming in 2010. To add some, please see WikiProject Proposed state sunshine legislation.
[edit] Statement of purpose
The statement of purpose of the Open Meetings Act states, "The agencies of Wyoming exist to conduct public business. Certain deliberations and actions shall be taken openly as provided in this act." [1]
[edit] Which government meetings are open to the public?
The law states that a meeting is a gathering of a quorum the members of a public body, which was called by the public body with the intention of discussing public business
[edit] What government bodies are subject to the laws?
The act defines government body as an authority or agency of the state or one of its political subdivisions which has been created by the constitution or similar ordinance or statute.[1]
Notable exemptions to the definition of public body include:
- the legislature
- the judiciary
[edit] Legislature
The legislature is explicitly exempted from the Wyoming Public Meeting Law under Wyoming statute 16-4-402.
[edit] Notice requirements
The act requires that all agencies develop their own rules and regulations regarding regular meetings, or make announcements regarding special meetings. Notice for special meetings must be provided to all local news agencies and specify the time and date of the meetings as well as a list of the topics to be discussed. Public bodies may recess meetings to a later time so long as they provide notice during the original meeting. Emergency meetings require all reasonable efforts to be made to provide public notice. Further, all actions taken at an emergency meeting are temporary and must be ratified at the next public meeting. [1]
[edit] Meeting process
No public body may require any individual attending a meeting to register their name or supply any other information. The act requires that all public bodies to record but not publish minutes of all meetings where no action is taken. If an action is taken, the minutes are to be published. [1]
[edit] Executive sessions
| Common Executive Session Exemptions | |
|---|---|
| Personal Privacy(Including Employees) |  |
| Attoreny-Client Priviledge/Litigation | |
| Security/Police Information | |
| Purchase or Sale of Property | |
| Union Negotiations | |
| Licensing Exams/Decisions | |
| Exempt under other laws | |
Executive sessions may be called for the following purposes:
- matters relating to attorney-client privilege
- to consider appointment, employment, and dismissal of employees, or to hear complaints brought against public employees
- pending or proposed litigation
- security
- preparing or grading license examinations
- when discussing the parole of an individual
- the purchase or sale of real estate
- to consider the acceptance of donations
- to discuss information classified by the Wyoming Sunshine Law or federal statute
- labor negotiations
- to consider student disciplinary hearings
Minutes of executive sessions are to be recorded and released only for the purposes of an in camera review in court.
[edit] If violated
All actions taken during a meeting in violation of this chapter are considered void. Public officers found in violation of the act are guilty of a misdemeanor and can be assessed fines of up to $750.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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