State park peace officers-definition and scope of authority.
HB 179 clarifies that state park superintendents, assistant superintendents, and full-time park rangers at Wyoming state parks, recreation areas, archaeological sites, and historic sites qualify as peace officers when acting within their assigned sites or assisting other peace officers. The bill amends existing definitions in Wyoming law to explicitly include these staff members under "peace officer" status, granting them the same legal authority as other peace officers within their jurisdiction. This change specifically affects park personnel who enforce laws and respond to incidents on state-managed lands. The bill was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2024, but failed committee review in February 2024.
Bill status
failed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
House Passage
Feb 2024
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 15, 2024
Last action Feb 15, 2024
Floor votes · House Feb 15, 2024
How they voted
38–20
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 59
Feb 15, 2024
D
Democratic5
80% Nay
R
Republican54
68% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
0
Feb 15, 2024
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (38-20-1)
house
Feb 15, 2024
Introduced
H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0
lower
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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