In Wyoming, we believe in the principles of freedom, independence, and self-reliance. These are more than just ideals; they are the bedrock of our way of life.
Chief among them is the sacred right to private property—the ability to own, use, and dispose of land as we see fit without unnecessary interference from government, absent security concerns.
That’s why I felt compelled to stand up and speak out against a provision in House Bill HB0118, which would limit private property owners’ rights to sell their land to the federal government.
At first glance, this bill appears to do something important: it seeks to ensure that land exchanges with the federal government do not result in a net gain of federal land within Wyoming’s borders.
Given the ongoing concerns about federal overreach and land management, that goal is one I fully support.
However, buried within this bill is a provision that would impose restrictions on private property owners, effectively limiting their freedom to sell their land to the federal government if they so choose.
This is not just about land; it is about freedom. It is about the right of every Wyomingite to make decisions about the property they have worked hard to own.
If a rancher, farmer, or homeowner decides that selling their land to the federal government is in their best interest, it is not the role of the state to stand in their way. That decision belongs to the property owner and the property owner alone.
Some House members argued that by their interpretation of the Constitution, the federal government should not own land except for specific purposes, such as military installations and other limited enumerations.
While I respect this perspective, we must acknowledge that is a much larger constitutional issue. It is a challenge that requires a direct and deliberate effort by the State of Wyoming, not one that unfairly uses landowners as a pawn.
Our citizens should not be forced to navigate complex constitutional debates simply because they wish to exercise their right to sell their property. Addressing federal land ownership is a responsibility that lies with us as lawmakers and as a state.
We must also be cautious about creating unintended consequences. In our efforts to curtail federal overreach, we cannot risk violating the very rights we claim to protect. Imposing these restrictions on private property owners sends the wrong message: that the government knows better than the individual.
This is a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of limited government and individual liberty. To borrow from Thomas Paine, “The greatest tyrannies are always perpetuated in the name of the noblest causes.”
There was an amendment adopted requiring the federal government to dispose of, or exchange, land within one year of acquiring private property.
While this idea may sound like compromise, it still amounts to a restriction on private property rights and creates practical issues.
The state has no enforceable mechanism to ensure compliance with such provisions. Additionally, expecting the federal government to effectively pay twice—once to acquire the land and again to dispose of equivalent land—is neither realistic nor enforceable.
Wyoming citizens are capable, independent, and wise enough to make these decisions for themselves. They do not need the heavy hand of government dictating their options, nor “fixing” the problem with non-sensical, enforceable solutions.
Some may have forgotten what we are here to do as lawmakers. We are not here to impose; we are here to protect. We are not here to dictate; we are here to defend.
Our duty is to uphold the values and rights of the people we represent. That includes ensuring that government actions respect individual freedoms and do not erode the liberties that make Wyoming unique.
As we move forward, I urge my fellow legislators and the good people of Wyoming to remember what is at stake in all that we are considering.
This is not just about a single bill or amendment. It is about the broader principle of protecting individual liberty and ensuring that government remains a servant of the people, not their master.
We need to stand firm in the belief that Wyoming is a state where freedom is more than a slogan—it is our way of life.
Rob Geringer, Wyoming House of Representatives District 42, SW Laramie County (R)
