Wyoming House Bill HB0139

Wyoming 2022 Regular Session

• Failed: 2/18/22

Caption

Protecting Wyoming's land and water resources.

Impact

If passed, this legislation would place considerable restrictions on the use of public funds for conservation projects that relate to perpetual conservation easements. It would require state agencies and local governments to take significant measures to resist federal attempts to enforce the conservation goals outlined in the executive order. This bill signifies a pushback against what proponents deem as overreach by the federal government, asserting that Wyoming deserves authority over its own land and water management.

Summary

House Bill 0139 aims to address concerns regarding federal mandates on conservation efforts, specifically relating to President Joe Biden's Executive Order 14,008, which calls for the conservation of at least 30% of the nation's lands and waters by the year 2030. The bill asserts the importance of state control over land use and expresses concerns that such federal requirements could undermine Wyoming's economic interests and state sovereignty. It emphasizes Wyoming's legacy of land stewardship and the vital role of its farmers and ranchers in maintaining the region's natural resources.

Contention

Debate surrounding the bill has highlighted significant divisions over the roles of state versus federal authority in environmental matters. Proponents of HB 0139 argue that federal conservation mandates would severely disrupt state economies and infringe upon private property rights, while opponents may worry that resisting federal conservation goals could undermine broader environmental efforts. The bill also creates a framework for governmental entities to maintain lists of local governments that either support or oppose these federal conservation goals, illustrating an ongoing tension in collaborative environmental management.