State lands-hunting and fishing on cultivated cropland.
Summary
HB0304 amends Wyoming law governing state lands to prohibit trespass for the purpose of hunting or fishing on state-leased cultivated cropland. The bill adds a new category of prohibited conduct under W.S. 36-2-107(b), making it a misdemeanor for a person to knowingly violate the subsection and subjecting violators to a fine of up to $750, up to six months in jail, or both. It also authorizes restitution for actual pecuniary damage caused by the illegal activity, with restitution funds directed to an account used to restore the board’s rights and property.
The measure is aimed at protecting cultivated cropland leased from the state from unauthorized hunting and fishing-related entry, reinforcing the state’s ability to manage and safeguard its agricultural lands. It would take effect July 1, 2025, and would likely affect hunters, anglers, and others who enter state-leased cropland without permission, as well as state land administrators and lessees responsible for cultivated acreage.
Impact
HB0304 would expand the list of misdemeanor trespass violations under Wyoming’s state lands statutes by specifically targeting unauthorized hunting or fishing on state-leased cultivated cropland. The bill strengthens enforcement tools by adding criminal penalties and restitution authority, and it gives the state a clearer basis to recover damages tied to unlawful entry or activity on leased agricultural land. Its practical effect is to provide additional protection for state agricultural lessees and the state land board’s interests in managing cultivated cropland.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests strong support in the House Agriculture Committee, which recommended the bill do pass unanimously 9-0. However, the bill later failed on the Committee of the Whole by a wide margin, 10-50, indicating that support was not sustained on the floor. With no committee transcript available, the overall sentiment appears mixed: favorable among agriculture-focused lawmakers, but insufficient broader support in the House.
Contention
The likely point of contention is whether the bill appropriately criminalizes conduct associated with hunting and fishing on state-leased cropland, and whether the added misdemeanor penalties and restitution provisions are necessary or too punitive. Support appears to come from lawmakers concerned with protecting cultivated state lands and lessees from trespass and damage, while opposition likely came from members wary of expanding criminal liability or limiting access-related activities on state lands. The sharp floor vote suggests disagreement over balancing land protection with public use and enforcement concerns.