Catch Title: HB0083 Legislative Subpoena – Penalty Revisions

Category: Crimes and Offenses

Sponsor: Management Audit Committee

Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Bill URL: HB0083 – Wyoming Legislature

Overview: HB0083 revises the penalties for individuals who fail to comply with legislative subpoenas, including failure to appear, refusal to testify, or refusal to produce requested documents . The bill significantly increases the maximum fine allowed under the law to enhance the legislature’s ability to enforce its investigative and oversight functions .

Key Provisions:

• Substantial Fine Increase: Amends the maximum fine for violating legislative subpoena requirements from $100.00 to $750.00 .
• Incarceration Authority: Maintains the existing penalty of potential imprisonment in a county jail for up to six (6) months .
• Penalty Combinations: Allows the court to impose the fine, the jail time, or both.
• Triggering Events: Penalties are applicable upon conviction, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere for failing to appear, failing to produce documents, or disrupting legislative proceedings .

Implications:

• Enhanced Investigative Authority: The 750% increase in the fine amount signals a move by the legislature to provide its committees (particularly the Management Audit Committee) with a more potent deterrent against non-compliance during state audits and investigations .
• Consistency in Oversight: This bill complements other efforts to strengthen legislative branches (such as SF0062’s reorganization of the Department of Audit), ensuring that the legislature has the “teeth” necessary to compel cooperation from executive agencies or private entities.
• Fiscal Deterrence: While the $750 fine remains lower than those for major felonies, the increase is substantial enough to discourage administrative or legal foot-dragging during time-sensitive legislative sessions .
• Narrow Statutory Focus: The bill focuses strictly on the penalty amount and does make any changes to the actual process of issuing subpoenas or the legal defenses available to those subpoenaed .