HB0224

Failed

Prohibiting foreign adversary property ownership.

Restrict foreign adversaries from owning Wyoming land and property interests, with enforcement mechanisms and civil penalties.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to property; restricting foreign adversary ownership of land and other interests in Wyoming as specified; providing definitions; authorizing enforcement of ownership restrictions as specified; providing a civil penalty; requiring the inclusion of notices of foreign ownership in assessment schedules and tax statements; specifying applicability; requiring rulemaking; and providing for a contingent effective date.

Property

Sponsor:

Co-sponsors: Representative(s) Allemand, Andrew, Angelos, Hoeft, Neiman, Riggins, Singh, Strock, Styvar, Tarver, Webber, Winter, Senator(s) Boner, Brennan, French, Hutchings, Laursen, D, McKeown, Pearson, Steinmetz

View on wyoleg.gov Introduced Text (PDF)Digest (PDF)Engrossed (PDF)Fiscal Note (PDF)

What does this bill do?

Restricts foreign adversaries from owning land in Wyoming, except for personal residences on one acre or less, and requires registration of such properties with the office of homeland security.

Defines 'foreign adversary' to include business entities with majority foreign ownership, foreign governments of Russia, China, state sponsors of terrorism, countries subject to arms regulations, or countries designated as foreign adversaries under federal law, as well as citizens of those countries. (W.S. 34-15-104(a)(ii))
Prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing or acquiring any interest in Wyoming land except for a personal residence for personal use on not more than one acre. (W.S. 34-15-104(b))
Requires foreign adversaries who acquire land in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2025 to register ownership with the office of homeland security, including owner name, property location, acreage, and principal information if applicable. (W.S. 34-15-104(c))
Sets initial registration deadline of 60 days after July 1, 2025 or within 60 days of acquisition, whichever is later, with annual updates required by March 31. (W.S. 34-15-104(c)(iii)-(iv))
Imposes a civil penalty of $5,000 per day for failing to register, timely register, or update registration as required. (W.S. 34-15-104(d))
Requires county clerks to report any violations to the office of homeland security and authorizes the office to report violations to the attorney general. (W.S. 34-15-104(e)-(f))
Authorizes the attorney general to enforce restrictions by seeking civil judgments of $5,000 per day of non-compliance, with penalties credited to the general fund. (W.S. 34-15-104(g))
Requires assessment schedules and tax statements to include notice that foreign adversary ownership is prohibited and information about registration requirements with the office of homeland security. (W.S. 39-13-103(b)(viii), W.S. 39-13-107(b)(i)(C))
Specifies that the act applies only to land purchases made on or after the effective date and does not divest or extinguish existing property interests.