The bill establishes a new misdemeanor offense for the injury of petroglyphs, pictographs, and historic inscriptions on state lands, with penalties including fines up to $750 and potential imprisonment for up to six months. It amends existing law by adding a new subsection (e) to W.S. 36-1-116, which specifically prohibits actions such as breaking, carving, or otherwise damaging these historical artifacts without the consent of the state board of land commissioners. The bill also modifies subsection (a) to clarify the penalties for violations, which include fines ranging from $25 to $100 for general offenses.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $441,340 from the general fund to the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources for the purpose of surveying, documenting, and modeling all known petroglyphs and pictographs on state lands. This appropriation is designated for use until June 30, 2028, and stipulates that no surveys may access private lands without prior notification and consultation with landowners. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with the appropriation section becoming effective immediately upon the bill's passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-1-116
Engrossed: 36-1-116