The Wyoming House on Feb. 14 rejected an amendment that would have extended the new squatter-focused law to certain landlord–tenant situations, and then ordered Senate File 6 to a third reading.

Sponsor and mover Representative J.T. Larson introduced the amendment, saying it would protect property owners when tenants “intentionally trying to avoid service of eviction notice” dodge sheriff service. "I move second reading amendment number 1 to Senate file 6 and ask for your favorable consideration," Larson said from the floor.

Supporters characterized the proposal as a practical fix for landlords who allege tenants are dodging process; opponents said it would blur the deliberate separation the bill’s committee crafted between criminal squatters and civil landlord–tenant law. Representative Wausch, speaking as committee chair, urged members to “please resist the amendment,” arguing the bill had been designed to address squatters specifically and avoid disrupting decades of landlord–tenant case law. Representative Chestyck added that failure to answer the door can have legitimate reasons and warned the amendment had no time-limit constraint on attempted service.

Members voted on the amendment by voice; the chief clerk announced “Amendment has not been adopted.” The House then ordered Senate File 6 read a third time without the proposed change.

Discussion vs. decision: lawmakers debated policy trade-offs — protecting private property rights versus preserving established eviction and service rules — and ultimately declined the amendment. The underlying bill (Senate File 6) remains on the House calendar for final consideration.

Proper names and authorities: the bill was identified as Senate File 6 (title given on the floor as “Residential property, removal of nonlawful occupant, an act relating to civil procedure”). No statutory citations were read into the record during the amendment debate.

What’s next: Senate File 6 has been ordered to third reading; members did not adopt Larson’s amendment.