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Wyoming panel backs pilot permit for nonmotorized trails, adopts department changes
Summary
The joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee reviewed a bill authorizing nonmotorized trail permits, debated fees, enforcement and equity, adopted department-suggested technical changes and passed an intent statement that permit revenue should augment existing funding.
CHEYENNE, Aug. 19 — The Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee on Tuesday considered a bill that would authorize the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to create nonmotorized recreational trail permits for bicycles, including some e‑bikes, and to deposit proceeds in a dedicated account for trail construction and maintenance.
The bill draft, discussed by department officials and staff from the Legislative Service Office, would allow the department to require a permit for bicycle use on designated trails inside state parks, historic sites and recreation areas; set annual and daily fee caps; and create a nonmotorized recreational trails account to fund maintenance, construction, signage, education and enforcement. Committee members debated fee levels, enforcement mechanics, family passes and whether permits should be tied to the rider or a specific bicycle.
Committee and agency officials said Wyoming is seeing rapidly increasing outdoor visitation and that a nonmotorized account would augment — not replace — existing funds for trails. Chris Floyd, deputy director for State Parks and Cultural Resources, told the panel the department recommended two main drafting changes: define certain e‑bikes by rule rather than by referring to Title 31 statutory language, and require the permit from the user rather than linking it to a specific bicycle. Floyd said users could receive an electronic permit and a decal for enforcement purposes.
“Those figures came from the department in the drafting of this bill,” LSO staffer Brian Fuller said when he reviewed proposed annual fees of up to $10 for residents, $20 for nonresidents and a daily fee up to $5. Fuller also noted the draft exempts persons under 18 from the permit requirement and makes annual permits valid for the calendar year.
Committee members and witnesses pressed on enforcement logistics, staffing and revenue estimates. Forrest Kuminga, trails program manager for the department, said building a professionally finished trail averages about $100,000 per mile but can be less for simpler projects; department staff estimated a pilot enrolling three parks could generate about $110,000 a year. The Federal Recreational Trails Program currently provides about $400,000 annually for nonmotorized trails in Wyoming, staff said.
Members sought to ensure the new revenue would add to current trail spending rather than free up general funds to be spent elsewhere. An amendment requiring language that the legislature’s intent is that fee proceeds “augment current funding” passed. The committee also adopted department suggestions (including the e‑bike and user‑vs‑bike wording) and approved deleting a provision that would have required consultation with the governor’s trails advisory council, after discussion that the council is a governor‑created body not fully codified by statute.
On enforcement, Fuller reminded the committee that department rules currently authorize fines of up to $85 for failure to display permits; Floyd said the department prefers a mix of education and enforcement and would sell permits through agents at park entry booths, by mail and electronically.
Public testimony included representatives of trail builders and nonprofit groups who urged a statewide approach and noted high demand. Michael Cusick, executive director of Wyoming Pathways, told the committee that professionally built trails “can last for decades” and attract out‑of‑state visitors who spend money in rural communities.
The committee did not adopt a larger statewide fee program at this meeting, and several members resisted higher initial caps proposed by some colleagues. Lawmakers asked the agency to return with more refined language and implementation details in future meetings.
What’s next: The department will work with LSO on the committee‑approved drafting changes; the bill’s rulemaking and the remainder of the statute would be effective July 1, 2026, under the draft. Committee discussion left open whether the program should be piloted at a few parks or scaled statewide.
Sources: Department testimony and bill walkthrough by Brian Fuller (LSO); testimony from Chris Floyd, Forrest Kuminga and Michael Cusick.
