Hot off the Bench - Standing

Williams v. Bd. of Cnty. Commissioners of Johnson Cnty., 2025 WY 127 (Wyo. Dec. 2, 2025)

Wyoming Supreme Court reaffirms need for particular injury to establish standing to sue for declaratory judgment.  Harm to taxpayers in general is not sufficient.

Court upholds district court dismissal of challenge by residents, property owners and taxpayers.  Individuals alleged that the county board of commissioners failed to properly manage finances and adhere to proper auditing procedures; and that state Department of Audit failed to ensure board’s compliance with required procedures.   Discussed in context of the meaning of “interested” person under the Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act.  See Wyo. Stat. §1-37-103.

"We do not wholly abandon the standing requirments simply because a case presents a matter of great public interest or importance." at 3.

"It is not enough that a party cares deeply about an issue or is affected only as a member of the public at large; his interest must be distinguishable from that which could be raised by any citizen." at 4.