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Committee forwards Game and Fish property tax exemption draft after department outlines $540,000 annual savings estimate
Summary
The committee advanced LSO 200, a bill draft to exempt certain Game and Fish Commission-owned property from property taxation and to clarify the special tax for commission land used for wildlife management or employee residences. The panel recorded 12 ayes and 2 excused.
The Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee voted to advance LSO 200, a bill draft that would exempt commission-owned real property from ad valorem property taxes where the land is used for wildlife management or is furnished by the commission as employee housing, and would preserve a special tax calculation for certain commission properties.
Department presentation and fiscal note: Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angie Bruce told the committee the department paid roughly $860,000 in property taxes last year. Under the draft’s approach the department estimated the net reduction would be approximately $540,000 annually (county assessments vary by year). The bill would continue to treat wildlife habitat management areas and hatchery operations with an agricultural value assessment, the department said.
Scope and mechanics: Staff explained the draft amends the statutory exemption and then clarifies the subset of commission-owned property that remains subject to a special tax; a conforming provision would not affect assessments occurring before Jan. 1, 2027. The department said the draft is written to avoid unintended impacts to county revenues by preserving ag-valued assessment where appropriate.
Committee action: Representative Provenza moved the bill, Representative Wharf seconded, and the committee recorded 12 ayes and 2 excused. The draft will go forward to the session.
Context: Members discussed county concerns about lost revenue and noted other state programs provide employee housing in high-cost areas; departments and the revenue committee may review how similar exemptions are handled in other agencies before session action.
Attribution: Summaries and financial estimates are based on testimony by Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angie Bruce and Chief Sean Bibby at the Nov. 6 meeting.
