The Joint Appropriations Committee met Friday, September 27th in Douglas and discussed a draft bill titled, “Protecting critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries.” The bill would prevent foreign ownership of property surrounding areas designated as critical infrastructure.
The bill also includes provisions that require language be added to tax assessments and tax notices stating, “that a prohibited foreign party shall apply to the office of homeland security to determine if a conveyance of real property in the State of Wyoming is located on, within or partially within a critical infrastructure zone.”
Representative Sherwood (D-Albany) moved to strike the notification provisions as the notifications were designed for current owners of property and not prospective owners, an amendment that Rep. Walters (R-Natrona) also supported. However, the amendment failed on a 4-4 vote.
The committee voted to sponsor the bill for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, set to begin in January.