SJ 9

ORIGINAL SENATE
JOINT RESOLUTION. SJ0009
       ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4, SENATE
       SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
                    2026 BUDGET SESSION
A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress recognize the
protection of Wyoming's freedom of access to public lands, to
allow responsible development of resources, recreation,
agriculture, hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation
under multiple‑use frameworks, to protect local participation
in land management decisions, and to keep public lands
available to the people of Wyoming.
WHEREAS, federal public lands are central to       Wyoming's
heritage, economy, culture and way of life; and
WHEREAS, while Congress and the executive branch have a duty
to manage these lands for multiple use and sustained yield in
the public interest, disposal of lands should not occur
without meaningful input from state and local governments and
affected communities; and
WHEREAS, Wyoming residents access our federal public lands
more than any other state in the United States, with
approximately   ninety-one  percent  (91%)   of  Wyoming's
population utilizing public lands for work, recreation and
subsistence; and
WHEREAS, Wyoming's natural resource industries have driven
the state's economy for over a century, contributing over
eleven billion dollars ($11,000,000,000.00) annually to the
gross state product (GSP), accounting for roughly between
twenty-five percent (25%) and thirty percent (30%) of total
GSP and employing nearly fifteen percent (15%) of the state's
workforce; and
WHEREAS, Wyoming agriculture is foundational to the state and
nation, and continued and improved access to public lands for
grazing and agriculture use is essential; and
                               1
ORIGINAL SENATE
JOINT RESOLUTION. SJ0009
       ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4, SENATE
       SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
                    2026 BUDGET SESSION
WHEREAS, Wyoming's firearms heritage, which is rooted in
responsible ownership, hunting, sport shooting and self-
reliance, is strengthened through growing youth shooting
sports programs like those offered by 4-H, and supported by
the   expanding  firearms   industries in Wyoming, which
contributes to education, workforce development, conservation
and the state's outdoor economy; and
WHEREAS, Article 1, Section 39 of the Wyoming Constitution
affirms "the opportunity to fish, hunt, and trap wildlife is
a heritage that shall forever be preserved to the individual
citizens of the state" and is the foundation for a multiple
use framework which has led to the highest percentage of
hunters of any state and world-class wildlife resources which
support a hunting, fishing and tourism economy; and
WHEREAS, although existing federal laws already provide a
process for land purchases, exchanges or limited disposals
when a clear and justified public purpose exists, including
Title 43 of the United States Code governing public lands,
and such processes have been used successfully in Wyoming,
those processes need to be more efficient and less costly for
both public and private landowners; and
WHEREAS, recent proposals and public discussions have raised
concern regarding broad, quota-driven or large-scale sales of
federal public lands as a policy or revenue mechanism, without
sufficient local input or analysis; and
WHEREAS, widespread disposal of public lands without clear
criteria shifts significant long-term costs for access,
wildfire response, infrastructure and law enforcement onto
state and local governments without dedicated funding; and
                                 2
ORIGINAL SENATE
JOINT RESOLUTION. SJ0009
       ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4, SENATE
       SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
                    2026 BUDGET SESSION
WHEREAS, Wyoming's counties have adopted land-use and natural
resource plans through public processes tailored to their
unique needs, and actions that disregard these plans erode
local governance and the spirit of federalism; and
WHEREAS, Wyoming has a long tradition of collaboration,
transparency and locally driven decision making rather than
top-down, command-and-control directives; and
WHEREAS, agriculture, natural resource and recreation
industries in Wyoming are the best and proudest stewards of
public lands; and
WHEREAS, if land disposal is determined to be necessary then
Wyoming community input must be a consideration because
meaningful improvements to land management are best achieved
through   stakeholder  engagement,   streamlining   existing
processes and community-led solutions grounded in local
knowledge with robust local public input and consultation
with state and local government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY       THE   MEMBERS   OF   THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:
     Section 1. That the Wyoming Legislature opposes any
state or federal legislation or policy that promotes the broad
or indiscriminate sale or exchange of public lands.
     Section 2. That the state of Wyoming demands Congress
and federal agencies respect existing land management
frameworks, county land-use plans and the voices of local
communities most directly affected by federal land decisions,
especially when evaluating any proposed changes to federal
land management or the disposition of lands.
                                 3
ORIGINAL SENATE
JOINT RESOLUTION. SJ0009
       ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4, SENATE
       SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
                    2026 BUDGET SESSION
     Section 3. That the Wyoming Legislature supports
responsible, locally supported land exchanges, adjustments or
disposals under existing laws and procedures when they
demonstrably enhance public access, natural resource use or
community benefit.
     Section 4. That the Wyoming Legislature supports
adequately funding state and federal agencies and the
corresponding programs that exist so that the agencies can
efficiently and effectively review land purchases, exchanges
or limited disposals under the existing legal framework.
                                 4
ORIGINAL SENATE
JOINT RESOLUTION. SJ0009
       ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4, SENATE
       SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
                    2026 BUDGET SESSION
     Section 5. That the secretary of state transmit copies
of this resolution to the President of the United States, to
the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress and to the
Wyoming congressional delegation.
                            (END)
I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.
Speaker of the House  President of the Senate
                           Governor
                 TIME APPROVED: _________
                 DATE APPROVED: _________
I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.
Chief Clerk
                                    5