The Joint Judiciary Committee advanced Senate File 11, a bill that creates a new felony for intentionally using false or fraudulent documents to gain or remain in possession of property.

Committee discussion described the statute as aimed at conduct beyond mere trespass: it targets persons who intentionally use a document they know or reasonably should know to be false to claim a right to property. Chairman Olsen summarized the draft as creating a new statute, cited in committee as 6-3-616, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, and effective July 1, 2025.

Supporters said the measure complements the prior bill on unauthorized occupants. Mark Miller of the Pacific Legal Foundation said the draft was intended to separate true trespassers from situations in which people purport to produce forged or fraudulent deeds or leases and then seek to occupy or exploit property. Scott Meyer of the Wyoming Bankers Association said the bill addresses situations in which false documents are submitted to lenders or used to sell or list property.

Alan Thompson, representing the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, told the committee the draft is simpler and more straightforward for investigators than some alternative approaches. Committee members discussed whether existing forgery statutes might cover the same conduct; members said they would check the elements and penalties of forgery statutes but otherwise supported advancing the measure.

The committee voted to move the bill to the floor; the roll call recorded five ayes. Senator Cole agreed to floor manage the file.