Committee approves transfer of 31.1-acre Lander parcel to Wyoming Department of Transportation

The Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee on an unrecorded date advanced House Bill 179, approving the transfer of a 31.1-acre state parcel in Lander from the Department of Health to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). The committee adopted an amendment striking subsection B before passing the bill by roll call.

Representative Larson, who presented the bill, told the committee the parcel at issue is the one labeled “31.1 acres” on the handout and said the transfer is intended to allow WYDOT to expand maintenance and equipment storage capacity in Lander. "The parcel of property that we'll be talking about in this bill is the one that says 31.1 acres," Representative Larson said.

The measure formalizes a long-running effort to relocate WYDOT equipment and facilities that have outgrown their current site in Lander. Darren Westby, director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, said the existing location is now constrained by development and that the new parcel offers room for future growth. "The future opportunity that this represents ... gives us just that, something that we can look to grow into, in the future," Westby said.

Jason Crowder, interim director for the Office of State Lands and Investments, described the statutory management criteria for land previously managed by the Board of Land Commissioners after a 2013 transfer. Crowder read the statute’s management standard into the record, saying the board "shall be managed consistent with consideration of the needs of the institution, consideration of alternative uses of the property ... and limitations contained in the constitution of the state of Wyoming, state and federal law and the conveyance instrument." Crowder and Representative Larson both recommended striking subsection B because it conflicted with the board’s prior management criteria and could create future ambiguity about allowed conveyances.

Fremont County Commissioner Jones and other local officials spoke in support of relocating WYDOT operations to the site, noting the parcel’s location and potential to bring activity to the area. Committee members asked whether the current WYDOT facility would be sold or repurposed; WYDOT did not provide a final disposition, saying those plans depend on later steps.

The committee adopted the amendment to remove subsection B (striking the language identified on the amendment as lines 17–23 on page 3 and lines 1–3 on page 4), then approved House Bill 179 as amended by roll call. The clerk announced seven aye votes and two excused members.

The bill will proceed to the next legislative stage for further consideration; Representative Larson indicated he would carry it forward if given the opportunity.