Wyoming House passes controversial bill on land sales and private property rights
January 17, 2025 | House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming
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The Wyoming Legislature convened for its House Floor Session on January 17, 2025, focusing on several key legislative items. The session began with discussions surrounding House Bill 118, which aims to regulate the sale of state lands. Representative Provenza raised concerns regarding the bill's implications on private property rights, arguing that it could infringe upon landowners' decisions about whom they can sell their property to. He suggested that the bill, as currently written, violates constitutional rights and indicated plans to propose an amendment to limit the bill's scope to state lands only.
Vice Chairman Pittengerraft countered Provenza's argument, asserting that the federal government has overstepped its authority regarding land ownership and that Wyoming should assert its rights. Following this debate, the House voted on House Bill 118, which passed the Committee of the Whole with a majority in favor.
The session continued with the reading of committee reports, where several bills were recommended for passage, including House Bill 11, House Bill 73, House Bill 45, House Bill 91, and House Bill 118. Majority Floor Leader Heiner moved to rise and report the committee's recommendations, which was also approved by the House.
Messages from the Senate were presented, detailing the passage of various Senate files, including amendments related to reading assessments and oil and gas regulations. The House also received reports from standing committees, with several bills, such as House Bill 18 concerning Career Technical Education Funding and House Bill 33 regarding vehicle sales tax distribution, recommended for passage.
As the session drew to a close, Majority Floor Leader Heiner proposed to adjourn until January 20, 2025, at 10 AM, which was approved by the members. Various committee meetings were scheduled for that day, including discussions on the repeal of gun-free zones and the supplemental budget.
In summary, the session highlighted significant legislative discussions, particularly around property rights and land management, while also advancing multiple bills through the legislative process. The next meeting is set for Monday, January 20, 2025, where further legislative work will continue.
Vice Chairman Pittengerraft countered Provenza's argument, asserting that the federal government has overstepped its authority regarding land ownership and that Wyoming should assert its rights. Following this debate, the House voted on House Bill 118, which passed the Committee of the Whole with a majority in favor.
The session continued with the reading of committee reports, where several bills were recommended for passage, including House Bill 11, House Bill 73, House Bill 45, House Bill 91, and House Bill 118. Majority Floor Leader Heiner moved to rise and report the committee's recommendations, which was also approved by the House.
Messages from the Senate were presented, detailing the passage of various Senate files, including amendments related to reading assessments and oil and gas regulations. The House also received reports from standing committees, with several bills, such as House Bill 18 concerning Career Technical Education Funding and House Bill 33 regarding vehicle sales tax distribution, recommended for passage.
As the session drew to a close, Majority Floor Leader Heiner proposed to adjourn until January 20, 2025, at 10 AM, which was approved by the members. Various committee meetings were scheduled for that day, including discussions on the repeal of gun-free zones and the supplemental budget.
In summary, the session highlighted significant legislative discussions, particularly around property rights and land management, while also advancing multiple bills through the legislative process. The next meeting is set for Monday, January 20, 2025, where further legislative work will continue.
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