This bill amends existing provisions regarding the subleasing of state grazing lands in Wyoming, introducing new criteria and definitions while repealing outdated regulations. It establishes a non-owned livestock fee that lessees must pay for allowing livestock they do not own to graze on state lands. Specifically, the bill defines "excess rental" as the amount received from a sublease that exceeds the current annual grazing and agricultural lease rental, and mandates that lessees pay half of this excess rental to the state. Additionally, lessees are required to notify the board of the presence of non-owned livestock within 30 days and pay a monthly fee per head of such livestock, which will not exceed 50% of the annual animal unit month rental rate.

The bill also introduces a provision that exempts lessees from the non-owned livestock fee if they and another person jointly graze livestock on a state land lease, provided that their common ownership of the livestock is at least 80%. Furthermore, several existing requirements related to the management and documentation of non-owned livestock grazing have been repealed, streamlining the process for lessees. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
26LSO-0213 v0.4: 36-5-105