reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-203 - Powers and Duties of Board of Directors Generally; Administration of Finances; Assessment and Levy of Taxes.

35-9-203. Powers and duties of board of directors generally; administration of finances; assessment and levy of taxes.
(a) The board of directors of any fire protection district is hereby authorized to enact such ordinances as may be necessary to establish and operate a fire protection district and shall file them with the county clerk for each county in which the district is located. The board of directors of fire protection districts shall administer the finances of such districts according to the provisions of the Wyoming Uniform Municipal Fiscal Procedure Act, except that an annual audit in accordance with W.S. 16-4-121 is not required. Each fire protection district shall comply with the provisions of W.S. 9-1-507(a)(iii). The assessor shall, at the time of making the annual assessment of his county, also assess the property of each fire protection district in his county and return to the county assessor at the time of returning the assessment schedules, separate schedules listing the property of each fire protection district assessed by him. The separate schedules shall be compiled by the county assessor, footed, and returned to the board of county commissioners as provided for other assessment schedules.
(b) The board of county commissioners, at the time of making the levy for county purposes shall levy a tax for the year upon the taxable property in such district in its county for its proportionate share based on assessed valuation of the estimated amounts of funds needed by each district. In no case shall the tax for each district exceed in any one (1) year the amount of three (3) mills for operation on each dollar of assessed valuation of such property. There shall be no limit on the assessment for payment of principal and interest on bonds approved by the board of and the electors of the districts as provided in W.S. 35-9-204. The taxes and assessments of all fire protection districts shall be collected by the county collector at the same time and in the same manner as state and county taxes are collected. The assessment and tax levied under the provisions of W.S. 35-9-201 through 35-9-209 shall not be construed as being a part of the general county mill levy.
(c) A fire protection district formed pursuant to this act may, as a condition for a position with the district, require applicants to submit to fingerprinting in order to obtain state and national criminal history record information.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-204 - Issuance of Bonds; Authority of Board to Submit Questions to Electors; Restriction Upon Amount; Interest; Purpose.

35-9-204. Issuance of bonds; authority of board to submit questions to electors; restriction upon amount; interest; purpose.
The board of directors of a fire protection district is authorized, whenever a majority thereof so decide, to submit to the electors of the district the question whether the board shall be authorized to issue the coupon bonds of the district in a certain amount, not to exceed four percent (4%) of the assessed valuation of taxable property in the district, and bearing a certain rate of interest, payable and redeemable at a certain time, not exceeding twenty-five (25) years for the purchase of real property, for the construction or purchase of improvements, and for equipment for fire protection district purposes.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-205 - Issuance of Bonds; Conduct of Election; Canvass of Returns.

35-9-205. Issuance of bonds; conduct of election; canvass of returns.
The election authorized under W.S. 35-9-204 shall be called, conducted and the results thereof canvassed and certified in all respects as near as practicable in the same manner as provided for bond elections by the Political Subdivision Bond Election Law, W.S. 22-21-101 through 22-21-112.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-206 - Issuance of Bonds; Notice; Bids.

35-9-206. Issuance of bonds; notice; bids.
If the proposal to issue said bonds shall be approved, the board of directors must issue such bonds in such form as the board may direct and shall give notice by publication in some newspaper published in the counties in which said district is located and in some newspaper of general circulation in the capital of the state of its intention to issue and negotiate such bonds, and to invite bidders therefor; provided that in no case shall such bonds be sold for less than their full or par value and the accrued interest thereon at the time of their delivery. And the said trustees are authorized to reject any bids, and to sell said bonds at private sale, if they deem it for the best interests of the district.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-207 - Issuance of Bonds; Form of Bonds; Execution; Registration.

35-9-207. Issuance of bonds; form of bonds; execution; registration.
After ascertaining the best terms upon and the lowest interest at which said bonds can be negotiated, the board shall secure the proper engraving and printing and consecutive numbering thereof, and said bonds shall thereupon be otherwise properly prepared and executed; they must bear the signature of the president of the board of directors and be countersigned by the secretary of the board and bear the district seal and be countersigned by the treasurer of the board, and the coupons attached to the bonds must be signed by the president, secretary and treasurer; and the secretary of the board shall endorse a certificate upon every such bond, that the same is within the lawful debt limit of such district and is issued according to law and he shall sign such certificate in his official character. When so executed they shall be registered by the county treasurer where said district's funds are kept in a book provided for that purpose, which shall show the number, date, amount of bond, time and place of payment, rate of interest, number of coupons attached and any other proper description thereof for future identification.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-208 - Issuance of Bonds; Payment of Principal and Interest.

35-9-208. Issuance of bonds; payment of principal and interest.
The county treasurer where said district's funds are kept may pay out of any monies belonging to said district tax fund, and from the tax fund of a detracted district as provided in W.S. 35-9-215(b), the interest and the principal upon any bonds issued under this chapter by such district, when the same becomes due, upon the presentation at his office of the proper coupon or bond, which must show the amount due, and each coupon must also show the number of the bond to which it belonged, and all bonds and coupons so paid must be reported to the district directors at their first regular meeting thereafter.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-209 - Procedure for Proposing Establishment of Fire Protection District.

35-9-209. Procedure for proposing establishment of fire protection district.
(a) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(b) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(c) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(d) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(e) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(f) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(g) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(h) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, 5.
(j) A fire protection district may be established under the procedures for petitioning, hearing and election of special districts, and subsequent elections shall be held, as set forth in the Special District Elections Act of 1994.
(k) Notwithstanding subsection (j) of this section, a fire protection district may be established through division of an existing fire protection district pursuant to W.S. 35-9-213 through 35-9-215.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-210 - District Formation Initiated by Resolution of County Commissioners; Procedures; Conditions.

35-9-210. District formation initiated by resolution of county commissioners; procedures; conditions.
(a) A fire protection district comprised of lands within unincorporated areas of the county which are not within existing fire protection districts may be created under the following procedure:
(i) The board of county commissioners may, by resolution, identify lands to be included within the proposed district and submit the question of establishing the district to the electors of the proposed district at the next general election. The board shall provide notice that it will consider a resolution under this paragraph at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the resolution will be considered. Notice of the election shall be given as required by W.S. 22-29-110;
(ii) If the establishment of the district is defeated at the election, the board may refuse to provide fire and public safety protection to the area within the proposed district commencing with the succeeding fiscal year. If a majority of the voters in the proposed district voting at the election vote for the establishment of the district, the board of county commissioners shall enter that fact upon its records and the district is established. The board shall hold an election for a district board of directors under W.S. 35-9-202. Districts formed under this subsection are otherwise subject to W.S. 35-9-201 through 35-9-208.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-211 - Formation of County Commission Fire Protection Districts; Procedures; Conditions.

35-9-211. Formation of county commission fire protection districts; procedures; conditions.
(a) As an alternative to the procedures provided by W.S. 35-9-210, a county commission fire protection district comprised of lands within unincorporated areas of the county which are not within existing fire protection districts and which are currently receiving fire protection or public safety services from an existing fire department funded by the county may be created under the following procedure:
(i) The board of county commissioners may, by resolution, identify lands to be included within the proposed county commission fire protection district and submit the question of establishing the district to the electors of the proposed district at the next general election. The board shall provide notice that it will consider a resolution brought pursuant to this paragraph at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the resolution will be considered. Notice of the election to establish the district shall be given as required by W.S. 22-29-110;
(ii) If the establishment of the district is defeated at the election, the board may refuse to provide fire and public safety protection to the area within the proposed district commencing with the succeeding fiscal year. If a majority of the voters in the proposed district voting at the election vote for the establishment of the district, the board of county commissioners shall enter that fact upon its records and the district is established. Following establishment of the district:
(A) Pursuant to the assessed property valuation requirements of W.S. 35-9-202(e) the board of county commissions shall appoint either three (3) or five (5) members to the board who are residents and property owners within the district and who shall serve on the board until the next election of directors, at which time the members of the board shall be elected in accordance with W.S. 35-9-202;
(B) The board of county commissioners shall annually levy a tax on the taxable property in the district as provided by W.S. 35-9-203 and shall expend the proceeds of the tax solely for the support of the fire department or agency providing fire protection or public safety services for the property within the district or outside the district pursuant to a mutual aid agreement as provided in W.S. 35-9-201.
(b) A county commission fire protection district created under this section may, as a condition for a position with the district, require applicants to submit to fingerprinting in order to obtain state and national criminal history record information.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-213 - Petition for Division; Hearing and Notice.

35-9-213. Petition for division; hearing and notice.
(a) Whenever a petition in writing is made to the county commissioners, signed by the owners of fifty percent (50%) or more of the privately owned lands of an area proposed to be detracted from the original fire protection district, who constitute fifty percent (50%) or more of the taxpayers within the proposed detracted area based upon the last completed assessment roll, the county commissioners shall, within twenty (20) days from the receipt of the petition, give notice of the hearing on the petition by:
(i) Mailing a copy of the notice by first-class mail to each landowner in the district at the address shown in the assessment roll;
(ii) Causing a notice thereof to be posted, at least twenty (20) days prior to the time appointed by them for the consideration of the petition, in at least three (3) public places within the proposed detracted area and also in at least three (3) public places within the remaining area; and
(iii) Publishing a notice in the newspapers of general circulation in the area of the district.
(b) The petition for detraction shall describe the boundaries of the proposed detracted area and the boundaries of the remaining area in the manner provided in W.S. 22-29-103(e).
(c) The county commissioners shall, on the day fixed for hearing the petition, or on any legally postponed day, proceed to hear the petition. Prior to the hearing the commissioners shall appoint an individual or group of individuals from the persons signing the petition to act in negotiations on behalf of the proposed detracted area.
(d) If the detracting district is within two (2) or more counties, the county commissioners for purposes of W.S. 35-9-213 and 35-9-214 are the county commissioners of the county where the majority of the detracting district property lies.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-214 - Decision on Petition for Division; Protest.

35-9-214. Decision on petition for division; protest.
(a) The petition may be granted and the original districts may thereupon be divided into separate districts if at the time of the hearing on the petition the county commissioners determine:
(i) Protests have not been signed by:
(A) The owners of twenty percent (20%) or more of the area of the privately owned lands included within the entire original district who constitute twenty percent (20%) or more of the taxpayers who are landowners within the entire original district based upon the last completed assessment roll; or
(B) The owners of twenty percent (20%) or more of the area of the privately owned lands included within the area of the proposed detracted area who constitute twenty percent (20%) or more of taxpayers who are landowners within the proposed detracted area based upon the last completed assessment roll.
(ii) The districts have in place standard operating procedures that ensure that both districts have the ability to provide fire protection to the satisfaction of the commissioners;
(iii) The boundary changes are in the best interests of the public; and
(iv) The mutual agreement negotiated pursuant to W.S. 35-9-215(a)(i) regarding the distribution of assets is acceptable to the commissioners.
(b) If the required amount of protests are presented as provided in paragraph (a)(i) of this section, the petition for division shall be disallowed.
(c) Upon allowance of a petition for division of a fire protection district, the board of county commissioners shall appoint members to the newly formed board who are residents and property owners within the newly formed district and who shall serve on the board until the initial election of directors, at which time the members of the board shall be elected in accordance with W.S. 35-9-202(a).
(d) Until a board of directors for the newly formed district shall be appointed and until the first tax assessment is received by the newly formed district, the original fire protection district shall remain responsible for provision of fire protection services to the area encompassing the newly detracted fire protection district.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 2 - Fire Protection Districts › Section 35-9-215 - Distribution of Assets and Liabilities Following Division.

35-9-215. Distribution of assets and liabilities following division.
(a) The division of the assets of the fire protection districts shall be apportioned as follows:
(i) Through a mutual agreement signed by the president of the original fire protection district board and the person or persons appointed to represent the detracted district pursuant to W.S. 35-9-213(c);
(ii) If a mutual agreement cannot be reached as provided in paragraph (i) of this subsection and the assets are located entirely within one (1) county, the board of county commissioners of that county may impose an equitable division of the assets;
(iii) If a mutual agreement cannot be reached as provided in paragraph (i) of this subsection and the assets are located in more than one (1) county, the boards of county commissioners of the counties where the assets are located may negotiate a division of the assets, with each board having an equal vote regardless of the number of commissioners on the respective boards;
(iv) If a mutual agreement cannot be reached as provided in paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of this subsection, the district court of the county where a majority of the original district's electors reside shall have jurisdiction to equitably divide the district assets, with each county responsible to pay legal fees and costs in proportion to the division of assets between or among the counties.
(b) Any detracted area shall remain liable for any existing warrant and bonded indebtedness of the original district, which indebtedness shall be apportioned between the divided areas according to their respective taxable valuations.
(c) New fire protection districts created by a division of a fire protection district pursuant to W.S. 35-9-212 through 35-9-215 shall not be treated as a new or reorganized taxing entity for purposes of W.S. 39-13-104(m).
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 3 - Areas of Extreme Fire Danger › Section 35-9-301 - Closing Area Upon Recommendation of County Fire Warden.

35-9-301. Closing area upon recommendation of county fire warden.
When, upon recommendation of the county fire warden, a board of county commissioners deems the fire danger in a given area of the county to be extreme, because of drought, the presence of an excessive amount of inflammable material or for any other sufficient reason, the board of county commissioners may close the area to any form of use by the public or may limit such use upon recommendation of the county fire warden. This closing shall include prohibition of any type of open fire for such period of time as the board of county commissioners may deem necessary and proper. The county fire warden shall notify the Wyoming state forester of any type of fire closure or the lifting of any type of fire closure under this section.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 3 - Areas of Extreme Fire Danger › Section 35-9-302 - Access of Residents to Home or Property; Contents of Order of Proclamation.

35-9-302. Access of residents to home or property; contents of order of proclamation.
Provided however, that nothing in W.S. 35-9-301 through 35-9-304 and no order of a board of county commissioners shall prohibit any person residing within the area from full and free access to his home or property, nor prevent any legitimate use thereof by the owner or authorized personnel on ordinary day to day business or lessee of such property. The order of proclamation closing or limiting the use of said area shall set forth the exact area coming under the order, the date on which the order shall become effective, and if deemed advisable, the authority from which permits for entry into said area may be obtained.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 3 - Areas of Extreme Fire Danger › Section 35-9-303 - Rules.

35-9-303. Rules.
The board of land commissioners shall promulgate rules as are necessary to require county fire wardens and boards of county commissioners to carry out the purposes of W.S. 35-9-301 through 35-9-304, and provide for proper notice to the public.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 3 - Areas of Extreme Fire Danger › Section 35-9-304 - Illegal Entry or Use.

35-9-304. Illegal entry or use.
Any entry into or use of any area in violation of this act shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not to exceed thirty (30) days or both the fine and imprisonment.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 4 - Unincorporated Cities or Towns › Section 35-9-401 - Appointment of County Fire Warden.

35-9-401. Appointment of county fire warden.
County commissioners may appoint a county fire warden who shall act under the authority of this article [chapter], W.S. 35-9-101 through 35-9-701, and the local governmental authority responsible for fire suppression and fire prevention within the county.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 4 - Unincorporated Cities or Towns › Section 35-9-402 - Duties of Fire Wardens.

35-9-402. Duties of fire wardens.
Fire wardens or their duly designated representative shall be responsible for management of fire suppression, fire prevention and related activities, except within any incorporated city, town or fire district, and responsible for coordinating fire suppression and fire prevention activities among all county fire agencies.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 4 - Unincorporated Cities or Towns › Section 35-9-406 - Abatement of Nuisances.

35-9-406. Abatement of nuisances.
Said board of county commissioners, upon receiving notice as aforesaid, or upon personal knowledge, shall have power to and are hereby authorized to abate any such nuisance at the expense of the person or persons, either by causing the same to be removed, or by filling up, or boarding around such excavations, as the case may be; provided, that said commissioners shall first notify the person or persons aforesaid, to abate such nuisances.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 5 - Fire Escapes › Section 35-9-501 - Required in Private and Public Buildings; Specifications Generally; Notices as to Location to Be Posted.

35-9-501. Required in private and public buildings; specifications generally; notices as to location to be posted.
Every building now or hereafter used, in whole or in part, as a public building, public or private institution, office building, lyceum, church, theater, public hall, place of assemblage or place of public resort, and every hotel, apartment house, boarding house, tenement house, factory or workshop, three (3) or more stories in height, school and hospital building, two (2) or more stories in height, shall be provided with safe and suitable metallic, tunnel, iron or fireproof ladders or stair fire escapes with guard rail of sufficient strength, attached to the outside walls thereof and extending from or suitably near the ground to the uppermost story thereof, with platforms not less than six by three (6 x 3) feet and of such shape and size and in such proximity to the windows of each story above the first, as to render access to such ladders or stairs from each such story easy and safe to the occupants of such building, in case of fire; and it shall be the duty of every proprietor, custodian, superintendent or person or persons having charge and control of such public buildings mentioned and described herein, to post notices in every hall, and in a public and conspicuous place in such building, designating the places on each and every floor of such building where such fire escapes are located and may be found.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 5 - Fire Escapes › Section 35-9-502 - Means of Exit; Doors.

35-9-502. Means of exit; doors.
Every building now or hereafter used, in whole or in part, as a public building, public or private institution, office building, lyceum, church, school house, theater, picture show house, public hall, place of assemblage or place of public resort, and every hotel, apartment house, boarding house or tenement house, two (2) stories or less in height, having twelve (12) or more rooms shall be provided with at least two (2) stairways, hallways or means of exit or escape from each story in case of fire. In addition to the above mentioned and described stairways and hallways or means of exit, all doors to every public hall, lyceum, theater, picture show house, or other place of amusement, which is thrown open to and used for the profit of the owner or proprietor or owners or proprietors by public assemblies in the state of Wyoming, shall not be less than three (3) feet in width, and shall swing or open out of and not into said public hall, lyceum, theater, picture show house, or other place of amusement.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 5 - Fire Escapes › Section 35-9-503 - Factories, Offices and Other Buildings to Be Equipped.

35-9-503. Factories, offices and other buildings to be equipped.
Every building now or hereafter used, in whole or in part, as a factory, mill, workshop, garage, office, bakery, laundry, store, and any other building or buildings in which people are employed at manual or other labor, shall be provided with proper and sufficient means of escape in case of fire, by two (2) or more ways of egress, and all doors leading into or to such factory, mill, workshop, garage, office, bakery, laundry, store, and any other building or buildings in which people are employed at manual or other labor, shall not be locked, bolted or fastened during working hours as to prevent free and easy access therefrom.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 5 - Fire Escapes › Section 35-9-504 - Exits to Be Unobstructed; Stairways to Be Lighted.

35-9-504. Exits to be unobstructed; stairways to be lighted.
All such metallic, iron or fireproof ladders or stair fire escapes, stairways, hallways or means of egress, mentioned or described in this act, shall at all times be kept free from any obstruction, in good repair and ready for use; and at night, or where lights are necessary in the daytime, a red light shall be provided with the words inscribed thereon "FIRE ESCAPE". Provided, that on all hotel, theater, school and hospital buildings, two (2) or more stories in height, said stairways shall extend from each floor of said building to the ground and shall not be less than three (3) feet wide; the risers of said stairs shall not be greater than eight (8) inches, and the treads not less than ten (10) inches wide; and the platform not less than three (3) feet wide, and in all cases the full width of the stairs. All such stairs shall have proper guard rails not less than twenty-eight (28) inches high. Where tubing is used for guard rails they shall be not more than ten (10) inches apart; and where balusters are used they shall be not more than six (6) inches apart.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 5 - Fire Escapes › Section 35-9-505 - Applicability; Fire and Safety Drills Required in Schools; Supervision of Drills.

35-9-505. Applicability; fire and safety drills required in schools; supervision of drills.
(a) This chapter shall apply to the trustees of school districts in this state.
(b) In every public and private school in Wyoming, there shall be a fire drill at least once every month. Safety drills may be used in lieu of fire drills if approved by and coordinated with the local fire department provided fire drills are conducted at each school not less than four (4) times during any one (1) academic year and further provided the school's fire alarm is tested at each fire or safety drill. A safety drill includes any organized response to a potential threat to the health and safety of the student population. The school administration shall supervise and administer this subsection and shall determine the types of safety drills appropriate for each school. In localities where a paid fire department is maintained, a fire department member shall be requested to be in attendance at each fire or safety drill conducted within a school for the purpose of instruction and constructive criticism.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 5 - Fire Escapes › Section 35-9-506 - Penalty.

35-9-506. Penalty.
Every person, firm or corporation, or his or its agents, officers, directors or trustees, owning or having the management or control of any such buildings or structures herein mentioned or described, who shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of this act not later than October first, nineteen hundred seventeen, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than three (3), nor more than six (6) months, or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each month or fraction thereof in which any building designated in this act shall remain in violation thereof shall constitute a separate offense.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 5 - Fire Escapes › Section 35-9-507 - Applicability to Cities and Towns.

35-9-507. Applicability to cities and towns.
The provisions of W.S. 35-9-501 through 35-9-507 shall not be applicable in any incorporated city or town that has by ordinance adopted a uniform building code which provides among other things adequate and safe means of inside fire escapes, smoke towers and fireproof inclosed stairways and further fixes the types of occupancies and types of buildings subject to the said code.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-617 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account; Merger With Other Pension Accounts; Membership.

35-9-617. Volunteer firefighter, EMT and search and rescue pension account; merger with other pension accounts; membership.
(a) The volunteer firefighter, EMT and search and rescue pension account is created. All awards, benefits and pensions established under this article shall be paid from the account.
(b) The account established under subsection (a) of this section shall be controlled by the board and administered by the director of the Wyoming retirement system. All expenses of administration shall be paid from the account. Disbursements from the account shall be made upon warrants drawn by the state auditor upon certification by authorized system employees or using an appropriate alternative method approved by the state auditor.
(c) The account shall be comprised of all funds and liabilities of the volunteer firemen's pension account created pursuant to W.S. 35-9-602, the volunteer emergency medical technician pension account created pursuant to W.S. 35-29-102, funds directed into the account as provided by W.S. 26-4-102(b), 35-9-619(a), 35-9-621(e) and 35-9-628 and all other funds as directed by this article and the legislature for the benefit of the account, or the volunteer firemen's pension account or volunteer emergency medical technician pension account, respectively.
(d) All members and retirees of the volunteer emergency medical technician pension account created pursuant to W.S. 35-29-101 through 35-29-112, including those members who are no longer participating or contributing members of the volunteer emergency medical technician pension account, but who have not withdrawn their funds as provided by W.S. 35-29-106(f) on or before June 30, 2015, shall become members or retirees of the pension account created pursuant to this section.
(e) All members and retirees of the volunteer firemen's pension account created pursuant to W.S. 35-9-601 through 35-9-615, including those contributing members who are no longer active but who have not withdrawn their funds as provided by W.S. 35-9-608(f) on or before June 30, 2015, shall become members or retirees of the pension account created pursuant to this section.
(f) The director of the retirement system shall determine by rule and regulation a benefit level for all members joining the pension account under subsections (d) and (e) of this section equal to or greater than the benefits the member would have received under the volunteer firemen's or volunteer emergency medical technician pension accounts, respectively.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-618 - Annual Audit; State's Liability.

35-9-618. Annual audit; state's liability.
(a) The director of the Wyoming retirement system shall hire an independent audit firm to perform an annual audit of the account established under W.S. 35-9-617 and shall report audit findings to the board and the governor.
(b) Nothing in this article shall be construed to:
(i) Except for obligations transferred pursuant to W.S. 35-9-617(c), acknowledge any past, present or future liability of or obligate the state of Wyoming for contribution except the employer's contributions provided for in this article, to either the volunteer firefighter, EMT and search and rescue pension system provided by this article or any other retirement system previously existing in the state of Wyoming; or
(ii) Constitute a contract or binding obligation of any kind whatsoever or, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, to create or grant any vested right or interest in any individual, corporation or body politic.
(c) If the account is terminated, all affected members have a nonforfeitable interest in their benefits that were accrued and funded to date. The value of the accrued benefits to be credited to the account of each affected member shall be calculated as of the date of termination.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-619 - Authority to Receive Donations; Investment of Monies; Employment of Actuary; Actuarial Reports.

35-9-619. Authority to receive donations; investment of monies; employment of actuary; actuarial reports.
(a) In addition to contributions from the state, counties, volunteer fire departments and licensed ambulance services, the board may receive and credit to the account any gifts, donations and other contributions made by individuals, organizations and cities, towns, counties and other political subdivisions for the benefit of the account. The board may invest monies within the account not immediately necessary to pay benefits, awards or pensions under this article, in investments authorized under W.S. 9-3-408(b).
(b) The board shall employ a consulting actuary to review the account annually to determine its solvency and to make recommendations as to revisions and modifications to the pension account. The board may employ legal and other consultants as necessary. Actuarial reports are public records and available for inspection by all participating members of the account.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-620 - Contributions on Behalf of Volunteer Firefighters, Emts and Search and Rescue Persons; Collection; Dual Participation Prohibited.

35-9-620. Contributions on behalf of volunteer firefighters, EMTs and search and rescue persons; collection; dual participation prohibited.
(a) The county, city, town, fire district, volunteer fire department or licensed ambulance service for whom a participating volunteer firefighter or EMT performs firefighting or EMT services shall pay to the pension account the amount required under W.S. 35-9-621(e) for those members. The county for whom a volunteer search and rescue person performs search and rescue services shall pay to the pension account the amount required under W.S. 35-9-621(e) for those members. Payments shall be collected upon terms and conditions established by the board under W.S. 35-9-621(e) and shall be forwarded by each collecting officer to the state retirement director for deposit in the account. Any entity listed in this subsection may elect to provide for a member's contribution or any portion thereof provided that any payment of a contribution is made on behalf of a member. Whether an entity makes a contribution for a member shall be at the discretion of the entity as an incentive to improve their local volunteer fire department, emergency medical services or search and rescue services.
(b) No volunteer firefighter member of the pension account shall participate as a member of the firemen's pension accounts under W.S. 15-5-201 through 15-5-209 or 15-5-401 through 15-5-422 if participation is based upon covered service for the same fire department.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-622 - Death Benefits in Addition to Other Benefits.

35-9-622. Death benefits in addition to other benefits.
Death benefits received under this article shall be in addition to, and are payable after the application of, worker's compensation benefits which are payable to volunteer firefighters, volunteer EMTs or volunteer search and rescue persons under the Wyoming Worker's Compensation Act.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-623 - Board; Established; Nomination; Appointment; Terms and Qualification of Members; First Members.

35-9-623. Board; established; nomination; appointment; terms and qualification of members; first members.
(a) The volunteer firefighter, EMT and search and rescue pension board is created. The board shall control the account.
(b) The board shall consist of eight (8) members who shall be appointed by the governor to staggered terms of three (3) years. The governor may remove any board member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. Of these board members:
(i) Six (6) members shall be volunteer firefighters who have a minimum of five (5) years service as a volunteer firefighter in the state. Appointments under this paragraph shall be made from nominees recommended to the governor by the Wyoming state firemen's association;
(ii) One (1) member shall be a volunteer EMT who has a minimum of five (5) years service as a volunteer EMT in the state. Appointments under this paragraph shall be made by the governor; and
(iii) One (1) member shall be a volunteer search and rescue person who has a minimum of five (5) years service as a volunteer search and rescue person in the state. Appointments under this paragraph shall be made by the governor.
(c) The members of the initial board shall be comprised of the volunteer firemen members of the volunteer firemen's pension board created pursuant to W.S. 35-9-610 serving on June 30, 2015 and one (1) member of the volunteer emergency medical technician pension board created pursuant to W.S. 35-29-108 serving on June 30, 2015, as selected by the governor. The volunteer firefighter members and volunteer EMT member of the initial board shall serve for the same term to which they were appointed to the volunteer firemen's pension board or volunteer emergency medical technician pension board, respectively.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-624 - Board; Chairman; Compensation of Members; Powers and Duties.

35-9-624. Board; chairman; compensation of members; powers and duties.
(a) Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but actual and reasonable expenses incurred by members for attending meetings and representing the board shall be reimbursed from the account.
(b) The board may:
(i) Adjust claims made by participating members under this article and may waive or alter specific requirements relating to benefits under this article, but shall not have authority to make a general increase in benefits;
(ii) Promulgate rules and regulations governing its operation;
(iii) Investigate claim applications, conduct hearings, receive evidence and otherwise act in a quasi-judicial capacity in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act;
(iv) Permit the suspension of payments in certain cases deemed appropriate by the board, with a commensurate reduction in benefits paid under this article.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-625 - Board; Hearings; Appeals.

35-9-625. Board; hearings; appeals.
(a) The board shall provide an opportunity for hearing to any person petitioning the board for a hearing with or without counsel or witnesses. The board shall provide petitioners the power to subpoena witnesses to testify in their behalf. The taking of evidence shall be summary, giving a full opportunity to all parties to develop the facts. The board shall provide a written transcript of all testimony received at any hearing conducted by the board to any requesting party.
(b) The decision of the board upon hearing is a final administrative decision and is subject to judicial review in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-626 - Adjustment of Benefits in Case of Impairment of Funds.

35-9-626. Adjustment of benefits in case of impairment of funds.
If at any time the net assets of the account become actuarially impaired, the board may adjust the benefits provided, pro rata, until the impairment is removed.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-627 - Purchase of Service Credit.

35-9-627. Purchase of service credit.
Any member who has been a participating member for at least five (5) years may elect to make a one (1) time purchase of up to five (5) years of service credit as authorized and limited by section 415(c) and 415(n) of the Internal Revenue Code and as established in rules promulgated by the board. Any member electing to purchase service credit shall pay into the account a single lump sum amount equal to the actuarial equivalent of the benefits to be derived from the service credit computed on the basis of actuarial assumptions approved by the board, the individual's attained age and the benefit structure at the time of purchase. A member may purchase service credit with personal funds or, subject to rules and regulations established by the board, through rollover contributions. Unless received by the pension account in the form of a direct rollover, rollover contributions shall be paid to the pension account on or before sixty (60) days after the date the rollover contribution was received by the member.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 35 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection › Article 6 - Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and Search and Rescue Pension Account › Section 35-9-628 - Deposit of Tax on Fire Insurance Premiums Into Account.

35-9-628. Deposit of tax on fire insurance premiums into account.
(a) As provided in this subsection, the state treasurer shall deposit into the account up to one hundred percent (100%) of the gross tax levied upon fire insurance premiums paid to insurance companies for fire insurance in the state of Wyoming for the preceding calendar quarter, as computed under W.S. 26-4-102(b)(ii) and provided by W.S. 26-4-103(k). The sum specified shall be calculated by the Wyoming retirement system:
(i) Before giving effect to any premium tax credits which may otherwise be provided by law; and
(ii) To achieve one hundred seven percent (107%) funding of the account, taking into account the benefits and employee contribution specified in W.S. 35-9-621 and actuarial assumptions adopted by the Wyoming retirement board;
(iii) After the account achieves one hundred seven percent (107%) actuarial funding, the board shall recommend a funding amount of not less than sixty percent (60%) of the gross tax levied upon fire insurance premiums. A recommended funding amount under this section in an amount greater than sixty percent (60%) which results in an actuarial funding level greater than one hundred seven percent (107%) requires approval of the legislature.