The Wyoming Freedom Caucus recently supported a bill that aims to restrict the federal government from acquiring additional land within the state, sparking debate over private property rights, Wyo File reports.
On Monday, lawmakers voted against an amendment that would have allowed private landowners to continue selling their property to the federal government without restrictions.
House Bill 118, introduced by Rep. Dalton Banks, R-Cowley, proposes limitations on land deals that would result in a net gain of land for the federal government in Wyoming. Banks argued that his bill does not infringe on property owners’ rights to sell their land, but specifically targets federal land acquisitions. He emphasized that the bill is designed to limit the federal government’s ability to purchase land in Wyoming, not to interfere with private sales.
The proposed amendment, brought forward by Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, sought to exempt private landowners from the bill’s restrictions, allowing them to sell their land freely. Provenza expressed concern that without this exemption, House Bill 118 could devalue private property and impose unnecessary restrictions on landowners, particularly those with properties adjacent to public lands.
In support of the amendment, Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, pointed to an example of a land sale in Natrona County, where a large ranch was sold to a conservation buyer and subsequently transferred to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This transaction resulted in improved public access to a popular trout fishery. Harshman argued that restricting such sales would infringe on individual property rights.
However, members of the Freedom Caucus, including Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, disagreed. Pendergraft argued that in certain circumstances, such as when landowners seek to sell to entities deemed hostile to the United States, restrictions on private property rights may be warranted.
The amendment to preserve private property sales to the federal government ultimately failed in a 25-34 vote, with the Freedom Caucus and its allies supporting the original bill’s restrictions. House Bill 118 is set to undergo one more reading in the Wyoming House before it is sent to the state Senate for consideration.
