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Bill

HB 169

Prohibiting use of public funds for organization membership.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marlene Brady and 2 co-sponsors

Wyoming bill HB 169 would ban government entities from using public funds for any organization memberships, potentially restricting access to professional networks and standards-setting bodies.

Bill Number Assigned
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Bill Summary · HB 169

Legislative bill overview

HB 169 would prohibit the use of public funds—including state and local government budgets—to pay for membership dues or fees to any outside organizations. The bill applies broadly to all governmental entities and public institutions in Wyoming.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects how government agencies allocate taxpayer money and could impact professional associations, advocacy groups, and industry organizations that rely on government memberships. It raises questions about government participation in standard professional practices, collaborative bodies, and industry standards-setting organizations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's definition of "organization membership" is crucial—it could affect memberships in research consortiums, professional engineering societies, municipal leagues, and standards bodies that governments typically join for operational purposes
  • Practical governmental impact: Many agencies use memberships in organizations like the National Association of State Procurement Officials or American Public Works Association to access best practices, training, and regulatory guidance
  • Unintended consequences: Broadly written restrictions could prevent government participation in standard-setting bodies or collaborative networks that improve service delivery and cost efficiency

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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