Public access easements mapping.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's status as inactive means it is no longer moving forward in the current session, but there may be future legislative sessions where similar or identical bills could be reintroduced.

Public Access Easements Mapping Act

The bill requires state agencies to update and share mapping data for public access easements and rights-of-way, with exceptions.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Office of State Lands and Investments, and Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to jointly update geographic information system (GIS) mapping data for state-held easements that allow public access.
• Includes specific details such as locations and boundaries of roads, trails, and water access points for fishing and hunting in the GIS data.
• Adopts interagency standards to ensure compatibility of the data across different departments.
• Makes the updated GIS mapping data publicly available by January 1, 2025, with annual updates thereafter.

Who It Names or Affects

• State agencies including the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Office of State Lands and Investments, and Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
• The public who will have access to updated GIS mapping data for state-held easements

Terms To Know

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data.

Easement

A legal agreement that allows someone other than the property owner certain rights or access to a piece of land.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not apply to pipelines, easements with a term of three years or less, Department of Transportation easements, and flowage easements.
• As of now, the bill is marked as inactive in Wyoming, which means it is no longer moving forward in the current session.

Current Bill Text

23LSO-0710
2023
STATE OF WYOMING
23LSO-0710
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0278

Public access easements mapping.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Berger

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to game and fish; requiring the game and fish department, the office of state lands and investments and the department of state parks and cultural resources to update geographic information system mapping data of state-held easements and rights-of-way; providing exceptions; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

(a)

The Wyoming game and fish department, the office of state lands and investments and the department of state parks and cultural resources shall:

(i)

Jointly update geographic information system mapping data and provide the other information required by this paragraph for all state
‑
held easements or rights
‑
of
‑
way that allow public access to lands or waters and shall include the following:

(A)

The location and boundaries of road, trail and water access for fishing and hunting;

(B)

Restrictions for seasonal use, recreational activities and vehicle type.

(ii)

Adopt interagency standards to ensure compatibility of the data developed pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this section.

(b)

The duties required to be performed pursuant to this act shall not apply to pipelines, easements with a term of not more than three (3) years, department of transportation easements and flowage easements.

(c)

The geographic information system mapping data required by subsection (a) of this section shall be made publicly available not later than January 1, 2025 and shall be updated annually.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

1
HB0278