Committee backs criminalization of residential squatting, narrows property‑damage language

The House Judiciary Committee voted to report Senate File 6 to the floor after considering testimony from law enforcement, realtors, rural advocates and property owners on a bill that would make unlawful occupation of residential dwellings a crime and provide a quicker law‑enforcement remedy for owners.

Senator Anderson, the sponsor, told the committee the bill grew from constituent reports of squatters occupying residential properties and causing damage. He said many property owners now face civil eviction timelines and limited ability to secure a prompt law‑enforcement response: "So this just makes it a criminal offense. So if you have a squatter, you can call the sheriff or the city police and they will come and help kick them out," he said.

Witnesses supporting the bill described widespread problems. Laurie Ritter Cai of the Wyoming Realtors said agents had encountered occupied properties that appeared vacant and called…