Wyoming national guard reenlistment bonus program, the official text

ORIGINAL Senate
File No. SF0012

ENROLLED ACT NO. 25, SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to defense forces and affairs; creating the Wyoming national guard member reenlistment and extension program as specified; requiring reporting; requiring rulemaking; providing an appropriation; and providing for effective dates.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1. W.S. 19‑9‑403 by creating a new subsection (g) is amended to read:

19‑9‑403. Pay and allowances of officers and enlisted persons in active state service and state active duty; worker's compensation coverage for national guard members; no pension denied by reason of service.

(g) There is created the Wyoming national guard member reenlistment and extension program. The military department shall establish and administer this program for the purpose of providing reenlistment and extension bonuses to members of the Wyoming national guard to increase the Wyoming national guard's strength in accordance with the following:

(i) The military department may provide a reenlistment or extension bonus to a Wyoming national guard member meeting all of the following requirements:

(A) The Wyoming national guard member satisfies the Wyoming national guard's reenlistment or extension eligibility criteria;

(B) The Wyoming national guard member reenlists or extends with the Wyoming national guard for not less than three (3) years; and

(C) The Wyoming national guard member satisfies any other requirements specified by the military department.

(ii) Upon satisfaction of the requirements under paragraph (i) of this subsection and to the extent sufficient funds are available, the military department shall distribute a reenlistment or extension bonus of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) to the reenlisting or extending Wyoming national guard member;

(iii) Beginning November 1, 2026 and annually every November 1 thereafter, the military department shall report to the joint transportation, highways and military affairs interim committee on the Wyoming national guard member reenlistment and extension program. The report shall include the following:

(A) The number of Wyoming national guard members who reenlisted or extended;

(B) The average number of years the Wyoming national guard members reenlisted or extended;

(C) The amounts of reenlistment and extension bonuses paid;

(D) The total number of members in the Wyoming national guard including the percentage of increase or decrease in the total number of members in the Wyoming national guard from the previous year;

(E) Any recommended legislation.

Section 2. There is appropriated one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) from the general fund to the Wyoming military department for purposes of funding the Wyoming national guard member reenlistment and extension program as created by this act. This appropriation shall be for the period beginning with the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2028. This appropriation shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2028. It is the intent of the legislature that this appropriation not be included in the standard budget for the Wyoming military department for the immediately succeeding fiscal biennium.

Section 3. The Wyoming military department shall promulgate rules necessary to administer the Wyoming national guard member reenlistment and extension program created by this act.

Section 4.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this act is effective July 1, 2026.

(b) Sections 3 and 4 of this act are effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

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