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Read. Follow. Verify.Wyoming Reconstitutes Office of Homeland Security as Cabinet-Level Department
Last action · March 3, 2026: Assigned Chapter Number 26Sponsors: Jared Olsen and 5 others
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What This Bill Does
Wyoming law reclassifies the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security as the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security, transferring all property, funds, and duties from the Governor's office to the new department effective July 1, 2026.
Elevates the state's homeland security division to a distinct department, directly shifting administrative oversight, budget management, and reporting obligations for emergency services and disaster response.
- State agency reorganizations in Wyoming typically involve transferring statutory duties, budget allocations, and personnel between executive branch divisions. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Wyoming Department of Homeland Security
Assumes all assets, personnel, unexpended funds, obligations, and statutory duties previously managed by the office of homeland security.
Office of the Governor
Transfers administrative oversight of homeland security functions and retains liability for any contracts that cannot be lawfully assumed by the new department.
County Sheriff's Offices
Continue submitting search and rescue reimbursement claims and interacting with the reconstituted state department.
Key Facts
- The Wyoming Office of Homeland Security is transferred from the office of the governor to the new Wyoming Department of Homeland Security on July 1, 2026.
- All property, equipment, obligations, and unexpended funds of the former office are transferred to the new department.
- No formal plan of reorganization under W.S. 9-2-1707(a)(iii) is required for the transfer.
- The governor is required to appoint a director for the new Department of Homeland Security.
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- Unexpired contracts and agreements that cannot be lawfully assumed by the department remain with the office of the governor.
- The department must report to the joint judiciary interim committee on the transfer no later than October 1, 2026.
- Statutory references across various state titles are amended to replace the office of homeland security with the department of homeland security.
- Sections 1 and 6 of the act took effect immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law, while the main provisions become effective July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to existing contracts held by the Office of Homeland Security?
When does the reorganization take effect?
Who leads the newly created Department of Homeland Security?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
20 actions- Mar 3, 2026Governor Signed SEA No. 0023
- Mar 3, 2026Assigned Chapter Number 26
- Mar 2, 2026SenateS President Signed SEA No. 0023
- Mar 2, 2026HouseH Speaker Signed SEA No. 0023
- Feb 27, 2026HouseH 3rd Reading:Passed 37-22-3-0-0
- Feb 27, 2026Assigned Number SEA No. 0023
Show 14 earlier actions
- Feb 26, 2026HouseH 2nd Reading:Passed
- Feb 25, 2026HouseH01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 7-0-2-0-0
- Feb 25, 2026HouseH Placed on General File
- Feb 25, 2026HouseH COW:Passed
- Feb 23, 2026HouseH Introduced and Referred to H01 - Judiciary
- Feb 20, 2026SenateS 3rd Reading:Passed 29-2-0-0-0
- Feb 20, 2026HouseH Received for Introduction
- Feb 19, 2026SenateS 2nd Reading:Passed
- Feb 18, 2026SenateS COW:Passed
- Feb 16, 2026SenateS01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0
- Feb 16, 2026SenateS Placed on General File
- Feb 10, 2026SenateS Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 22-8-1-0-0
- Feb 5, 2026SenateS Received for Introduction
- Feb 3, 2026Bill Number Assigned
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Elevating Homeland Security Administration
The legislation formally elevates the Office of Homeland Security from within the governor's office to a standalone department.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wyoleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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