2025 25LSO-0024
STATE OF WYOMING Working Draft
0.3
DRAFT ONLY
NOT APPROVED FOR
INTRODUCTION
HOUSE BILL NO. [BILL NUMBER]
Housing on government lands.
Sponsored by: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
A BILL
for
1 AN ACT relating to state lands; clarifying that state lands
2 may be leased for residential purposes; specifying that the
3 board of land commissioners may consider the acquisition of
4 lands from the federal government in areas suitable for
5 leasing for residential purposes; providing that the
6 leasing of state lands that border municipal boundaries
7 shall prioritize affordable housing leases to the extent
8 permissible; and providing for an effective date.
9
10 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
11
1 [Bill Number]
 2025 STATE OF WYOMING 25LSO-0024
Working Draft
0.3
1 Section 1. W.S. 36-1-105, 36-3-102(c)(vi)(B) and
2 36-5-114(a), (d)(intro) and by creating a new subsection
3 (e) are amended to read:
4
5 36-1-105. Exchange of land granted by federal
6 government.
7
8 Whenever, in the judgment of a majority of the members of
9 the board, the interests of the state will be advanced by
10 granting, conveying or deeding to the United States of
11 America, any lands which have been heretofore granted,
12 selected by, and patented to the state, then, in such case
13 said board is hereby authorized and empowered to so grant,
14 convey and deed to the United States of America, such
15 lands. And the president of said board, and the director
16 are authorized and empowered to execute and deliver all
17 necessary instruments to complete such grant, or
18 conveyance; provided, always, that no such lands shall be
19 so granted, conveyed and deeded, unless the United States
20 of America shall, and will permit and allow this state to
21 select, and have patented to it, other lands in lieu of the
22 lands so reconveyed to the United States of America subject
23 to W.S. 36-1-111; provided, however, that the state shall
2 [Bill Number]
 2025 STATE OF WYOMING 25LSO-0024
Working Draft
0.3
1 not give both surface and mineral rights with any lands
2 exchanged unless it receives the same from the federal
3 government. Any land conveyed to the state by the federal
4 government under this section shall not be required to be
5 in the same area of the state as the lands that are
6 exchanged to the federal government. The board may consider
7 the acquisition of lands in areas suitable for leasing for
8 residential purposes as provided in W.S. 36-5-114(e).
9
10 36-3-102. Duties generally.
11
12 (c) The board shall have authority to override any
13 decision made by the director. Upon such terms and
14 conditions as shall be established by the board, in
15 addition to other powers enumerated in this section, the
16 director shall have authority to:
17
18 (vi) Determine, subject to approval of the
19 board, the best use for acquired institutional lands
20 managed by the board pursuant to W.S. 9-2-2005, 9-2-2006
21 and 9-2-2012 consistent with:
22
3 [Bill Number]
 2025 STATE OF WYOMING 25LSO-0024
Working Draft
0.3
1 (B) Consideration of alternative uses of
2 the property which are compatible with the mission of the
3 institution including leasing of the land for residential
4 purposes as provided in W.S. 36-5-114(e); and
5
6 36-5-114. Leasing for industrial, commercial,
7 residential and recreational purposes; authority; rental
8 fees; rules and regulations.
9
10 (a) The board of land commissioners may lease for a
11 term of not more than seventy-five (75) years state lands
12 for industrial, commercial, residential and recreational
13 purposes.
14
15 (d) The board shall promulgate rules and regulations
16 implementing policies, procedures and standards for the
17 long-term leasing of state lands for industrial,
18 commercial, residential and recreational purposes under the
19 provisions of W.S. 36-5-114 through 36-5-117, including
20 provisions requiring compliance with all applicable land
21 use planning and zoning laws and permitting the board to
22 terminate a lease for good cause shown. When the office of
23 state lands and investments initiates a request for a
4 [Bill Number]
 2025 STATE OF WYOMING 25LSO-0024
Working Draft
0.3
1 proposed leasing of state lands, the office shall require
2 not less than thirty (30) days notice be provided:
3
4 (e) When leasing state lands for residential
5 purposes, the board shall, to the extent consistent with
6 constitutional requirements related to the administration
7 of state lands and the requirements of this article,
8 provide a priority for affordable housing projects on state
9 lands that are directly adjacent to or that directly border
10 municipal boundaries. It is in the public interest to
11 facilitate the provision of adequate, affordable housing in
12 order to promote the economic welfare of the state by
13 increasing employment, stimulating economic activity,
14 augmenting sources of tax revenue and fostering economic
15 stability.
16
17 Section 2. This act is effective July 1, 2025.
18
19 (END)
5 [Bill Number]


Statutes affected:
Draft 25LSO-0024: 36-1-105, 36-3-102, 36-5-114