HB0097

Amends homeland security laws to require county clerks to report property conveyances near critical infrastructure zones to state authorities for investigation of potential security threats.

• Requires the Division of Criminal Investigation to investigate conveyances, leases, and leasehold interests within or near designated critical infrastructure zones, including whether they involve designated countries or persons or pose threats to national or state security, with authority to subpoena witnesses and compel evidence. (W.S. 9-1-618(b)(vi))
• Requires county clerks to report all conveyances within five miles of a designated critical infrastructure zone to the director of the office of homeland security and the division of criminal investigation. (W.S. 18-3-402(a)(xxvi))
• Establishes the director of the office of homeland security as responsible for consulting the governor and assisting the attorney general and division of criminal investigation in designating critical infrastructure zones and investigating conveyances near those zones. (W.S. 19-13-104(d)(vi))
• Defines 'conveyance' to include all instruments in writing affecting interests in real property, surface interests, mineral interests, and pore space interests, but excluding wills. (W.S. 19-13-501(a)(i))
• Defines 'designated country or person' as a foreign government or foreign nongovernment person determined to be a foreign adversary by the United States Secretary of Commerce as specified in federal regulations. (W.S. 19-13-501(a)(iv)(A))
• Defines 'real property' to include all interests in land and appurtenances, structures, and intangible characteristics contributing to fair market value, including surface interests, mineral interests, and pore space interests. (W.S. 19-13-501(a)(vi))
• Requires county clerks to report conveyances involving property within a critical infrastructure zone or within five miles thereof to the director and division of criminal investigation within fifteen days after execution and recording. (W.S. 19-13-502(c))
• Directs the director and division of criminal investigation to determine whether reported conveyances are within or near critical infrastructure zones and, upon reasonable suspicion, investigate whether they involve designated countries or persons or pose threats to security or critical infrastructure.