Crook County commissioners authorize letter opposing Senate Bill 1545, seek more public input
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Summary
After public comment and a reading of a landowner letter, Crook County commissioners voted to oppose Senate Bill 1545 as presented and authorized the commission to finalize and sign a letter outside the meeting requesting withdrawal of the bill and more agricultural and public input.
Craig Kilpatrick, a local resident, opened the public-comment period by reading a written statement from Matt Smith, president of William Smith Properties Inc. and GI Ranch Corporation, urging the legislature to reconsider Senate Bill 1545. Kilpatrick said the bill "would change the nature of the way one can access corner-to-corner public lands" and quoted Smith’s concern that the proposal "represents a material erosion of private property rights." Kilpatrick asked the board to send a letter opposing the bill or, at minimum, not support it in its current form.
Commissioners discussed the procedural timeline for the bill and the limited public-hearing opportunities during the short legislative session. Commissioner (Speaker 4) said the bill "requires more study" and proposed a county letter that "opposes it as presented" and asks for withdrawal until there can be more public and agricultural input. Commissioner (Speaker 5) seconded the motion. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the motion also authorized the commission to craft and sign the letter outside the meeting before the state hearing deadline.
Why this matters: supporters of the bill argue it clarifies public access at parcel corners. Opponents, as read in Smith’s statement, say it would create statutory immunity for conduct at parcel corners, undermine long-standing real-property principles that treat corner-to-corner parcels as distinct, and increase uncertainty and enforcement burdens for landowners. Craig Kilpatrick said landowners who manage large ranches "will feel blindsided and underrepresented if this bill advances in its current form." The board’s action asks for more public input and agriculture-sector consultation before Crook County takes a formal supportive position.
What’s next: commissioners authorized staff and members of the commission to finalize and sign the letter before the Monday hearing. The board did not adopt a more detailed amendment to the bill; instead it requested additional public input and asked for withdrawal and reintroduction at a later time if warranted.
Source material: public comment and the motion as recorded in the Crook County commissioners meeting transcript on Feb. 4, 2026.
