Wyoming Public Records Act
The Legislature of the State of Wyoming enacted the Wyoming
Public Records Act (W.S. §16-4-201) in order to provide the public with
access to public records, books, and files of state governmental
agencies and entities with some exceptions. The University of Wyoming is
subject to the provisions of the Wyoming Public Records Act.
The public is not required to show a particular "need" prior to
gaining access to state records. Once a request is made for public
records, government officials have an obligation to provide the
requested records in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The
purpose of the Act is to promote disclosure and not secrecy in the
workings of government. There are some exceptions under the Act which
may be invoked to prevent disclosure of certain records. However, it is
best to consult with the Office of General Counsel before withholding
any public records.
ARTICLE 2
PUBLIC RECORDS
16‑4‑201. Definitions.
(a) As
used in this act:
(i) "Custodian"
means the official custodian or any authorized person having personal
custody and control of the public records in question;
(ii) "Official
custodian" means any officer or employee of the state or any agency,
institution or political subdivision thereof, who is responsible for the
maintenance, care and keeping of public records, regardless of whether
the records are in his actual personal custody and control;
(iii) "Person
in interest" means the person who is the subject of a record or any
representative designated by the person, except if the subject of the
record is under legal disability or is the dependent high school student
of his parents, "person in interest" means the parent or duly appointed
legal representative;
(iv) "Political
subdivision" means every county, city and county, city, incorporated
and unincorporated town, school district and special district within the
state;
(v) "Public
records" when not otherwise specified includes the original and copies
of any paper, correspondence, form, book, photograph, photostat, film,
microfilm, sound recording, map drawing or other document, regardless of
physical form or characteristics that have been made by the state of
Wyoming and any counties, municipalities and political subdivisions
thereof and by any agencies of the state, counties, municipalities and
political subdivisions thereof, or received by them in connection with
the transaction of public business, except those privileged or
confidential by law;
(vi) Public
records shall be classified as follows:
(A) "Official
public records" includes all original vouchers, receipts and other
documents necessary to isolate and prove the validity of every
transaction relating to the receipt, use and disposition of all public
property and public income from all sources whatsoever; all agreements
and contracts to which the state or any agency or subdivision thereof is
a party; all fidelity, surety and performance bonds; all claims filed
against the state or any agency or subdivision thereof; all records or
documents required by law to be filed with or kept by any agency or the
state of Wyoming; and all other documents or records determined by the
records committee to be official public records;
(B) "Office
files and memoranda" includes all records, correspondence, exhibits,
books, booklets, drawings, maps, blank forms, or documents not defined
and classified in subparagraph (A) of this subsection as official public
records; all duplicate copies of official public records filed with any
agency of the state or subdivision thereof; all documents and reports
made for the internal administration of the office to which they pertain
but not required by law to be filed or kept with the office; and all
other documents or records, determined by the records committee to be
office files and memoranda.
(vii) "Writings"
means all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings or
other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or
characteristics;
(viii) "This
act" means W.S. 16‑4‑201 through 16‑4‑205.
