Authorizes the Wyoming legislature to prosecute legal actions involving the interpretation and administration of federal acts, and appropriates $75 million for litigation purposes.
- Establishes legislative findings that the Wyoming legislature has constitutional jurisdiction over land within the state and sufficient interest in the proper interpretation and administration of federal acts including the National Environmental Policy Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act to provide standing for litigation. (W.S. 28-8-114(b))
- Authorizes the legislature by majority vote of both houses when in session, or the management council by majority vote during the interim, to commence and prosecute actions for declaratory judgment in state or federal courts to protect legislative rights and interests and assure proper interpretation of the constitution, statutes, administrative rules, and federal acts. (W.S. 28-8-114(c))
- Allows the legislature to direct the management council by resolution to prosecute an action, and permits the management council to commence an action on its own motion. (W.S. 28-8-114(d))
- Permits the legislature or management council to direct the legislative service office legal staff to prosecute actions or to employ private counsel as deemed advisable. (W.S. 28-8-114(e))
- Authorizes the management council to utilize up to $75 million at any one time, or however much is available, for the litigation actions specified in the statute. (W.S. 28-8-114(f))
- Appropriates $75 million from the general fund to the legislative service office for litigation purposes, available for the period from the effective date through June 30, 2028, with unexpended funds reverting to the general fund on that date. (Sec. 2)
Effective: July 1, 2025
AI-generated summary · Verify against the official text (PDF) ·