Representative Winter moved that when the Committee of the Whole rises to report, it do so with the recommendation that Bill number 118 do pass; the motion carried and the committee recommended the bill for passage.

Representative Banks presented House Bill 118 as a measure to "keep Wyoming lands in Wyoming hands," saying the bill provides guidance to the board that manages land decisions and that it would limit net federal land acquisitions that the sponsor described as a threat to grazing, energy development and recreation. "This bill provides guidance to the board that manages those land decisions," Banks said, and invoked the board's fiduciary responsibility.

Representative Provenza cautioned that the bill references Title 34, which the member said is not limited to state lands. He warned the language as drafted could affect private property transactions by limiting who private owners may sell to, and said he might offer a second-reading amendment to remove that portion so the bill applies only to state lands.

Representative Pittengeraff countered that the federal government had "far outreached its authority" to own land and said Wyoming must push back. The Committee of the Whole reported the bill do pass.

The transcript shows members raised concerns about whether the bill would impinge on private property rights and suggested amendments to limit its application to state-owned lands. The bill now moves forward for further House consideration.