SF0071

Reconstitutes the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security as the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security and transfers its assets, duties, and obligations effective July 1, 2026.

• Transfers the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security from the office of the governor to a newly created Wyoming Department of Homeland Security, including all property, equipment, obligations, and unexpended funds, effective July 1, 2026. (Sec. 1(a), Sec. 1(d))
• Eliminates the requirement for a formal plan of reorganization under W.S. 9-2-1707(a)(iii) and allows the governor to appoint a director of the department, potentially reappointing the existing office director. (Sec. 1(b)(i), Sec. 1(b)(ii))
• Ensures the department assumes all duties and authorities granted under Wyoming law and provides that existing contracts, agreements, and obligations remain valid; transfers obligations that cannot be assumed by the department to the office of the governor. (Sec. 1(b)(iii), Sec. 1(c))
• Transfers unexpended and unobligated funds, full-time and part-time positions approved during the 2026 budget session, and other authorized unexpended funds to the new department. (Sec. 1(d)(i), Sec. 1(d)(ii), Sec. 1(d)(iii))
• Requires the department to report to the joint judiciary interim committee by October 1, 2026 on the transfer and reorganization. (Sec. 1(e))
• Creates W.S. 9-2-2022 establishing the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security as a reorganized entity not subject to standard transition periods and exempting the director from needing a reorganization plan. (Sec. 2)
• Makes conforming amendments throughout Wyoming statutes to change references from 'office of homeland security' to 'department of homeland security' across multiple statutes including court security, criminal history records, emergency response, search and rescue, hazardous materials, and vehicle registration provisions. (Sec. 3, Sec. 4, Sec. 5)
• Requires the director to prepare and submit a budget for the department of homeland security in accordance with W.S. 9-2-1010 through 9-2-1014.3. (Sec. 3, W.S. 19-13-104(d)(vii))