New conceal carry, voter ID laws in effect today

WORLAND – July 1 is when most bills approved by the Wyoming Legislature go into effect and this year is no different.

Among the many bills that go into effect are the new voter identification law and conceal carry.

House Enrolled Act 70 updated the Wyoming statute on residency requirements for concealed carry. Under current law a person may carry a firearm in a concealed manner without a permit of the person meets certain requirements, according to the bill summary by the Legislative Service Office.

One of the requirements is state residency of six months. The new law that goes into effect today (July 1), removed the Wyoming residency requirements and allows conceal carry for all United States residents who meet certain criteria. The new law requirements include being at least 21.

The new voter identification law, House Enrolled Act 72, requires voters to present a form of identification before in-person voting at a polling place or absentee polling place.

Valid forms of identification include photo IDs issued by a state, tribal or federal government, a Wyoming higher educational institution or public school and Medicare and Medicaid insurance cards.

Voters who do not have acceptable ID may cast provisional ballots.

The fee for an identification card strictly for voter identification will be waived by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, according the LSO summary. The fee otherwise is $10 plus an additional $10 fee if a digital ID card is preferred.

According to current Wyoming Statute, “A challenged voter may present information and documentation of his eligibility to register at the election or to vote to the county clerk until the close of business on the day following the election. Any information presented shall be considered by the canvassing board in determining the voter’s eligibility to register at the election or to vote and whether to open and count his provisional ballot. The provisional ballot shall be counted only after the voter has, by presenting documentation required under this code to the county clerk, established he had previously registered and is a qualified elector or he was eligible to register at the election and is a qualified elector.”

The challenged voter must also “subscribe this oath in writing before a judge of election: ‘I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am the person I represent myself to be and that I am a qualified elector entitled to vote in this precinct at this election and that this is the only ballot I have or will vote in this election.’”

The law providing for regulations for air ambulance membership organizations is also in effect today. The act, per a summary by the LSO “provides for the regulation of air ambulance membership organizations by the Insurance Commissioner before operating in Wyoming and requires organizations to renew their certifications.”

The law would allow Washakie County to continue its membership with Guardian Flight.

Per the LSO summary, “The act specifies what fees and charges an air ambulance membership organization may charge to its members and requires organizations to provide certain notices and disclosures to members and prospective members regarding memberships that the organization offers.” The act also imposes requirements on the advertisements of air ambulance membership organizations.

There also several changes to Game and Fish laws. See related story on B8.