Corner crossing clarification.

2026 Regular Session

HB 19 clarifies trespass rules for crossing corners between adjacent parcels on foot, focusing on incidental contact while narrowing enforcement.

S COW:Failed 4-27-0-0-0

HB 19 (Wyoming, 2026) — Corner crossing clarification

Purpose and intent

The bill provides a clarifying exception to trespass and game-and-fish trespass offenses related to incidental contact that may occur when a person crosses two adjacent parcels (corner crossing). The aim is to address situations where individuals cross land at a corner between parcels without intentionally entering the interior of the other parcel, while still acknowledging limits set by property ownership and access rules.

Key provisions and changes

Clarifies trespass rules for incidental contact during crossing between adjacent parcels.

Introduces language changes to emphasize the act of crossing “by foot” rather than other modes of travel in specific statutory phrases.

Adds qualifiers to prohibit or limit trespass claims when crossing at property corners, with emphasis on avoiding unlawful contact beyond the boundary of the crossing path.

The bill specifies that any crossing is evaluated with regard to contact with land or property, and requires that crossing be done without certain prohibited actions (e.g., without unnecessary contact with property beyond allowed crossing).

Scope and impacted parties

Affects individuals who cross land at parcel corners (typically between two adjacent properties) and potentially the landowners and agencies enforcing trespass and game-and-fish trespass statutes.

Applies to situations where corner crossings may occur incidentally, as opposed to traversing through the interior of a parcel.

Local landowners, adjacent property owners, and users of state or public lands could encounter changes in enforcement or permissible behavior at parcel corners.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative path:

Introduced in House and referred to Committee on Travel.
Passed House through multiple readings; received Senate action.
Senate committees reviewed and amended the measure; a Senate standing committee amendment (HB0019SS001/A) was proposed but ultimately did not survive the final version.
A Senate floor vote on the amended version resulted in a 4-27 failure to advance to engrossed copy.

Final status (as of the latest available action):

The bill failed in the Wyoming Senate (COW committee), not advancing to engrossed copy.
An alternative Senate amendment (SW001) was adopted in the Senate as part of earlier consideration but did not survive in the final phase.

Fiscal note: The fiscal impact on the judiciary is undetermined due to an unknown number of potential cases arising from the measure.

Practical implications

If enacted, the bill would provide clearer statutory protection for individuals who cross corner parcels on foot, reducing potential criminal trespass exposure in incidental crossing scenarios.

The clarification may influence how law enforcement and the courts interpret corner crossings, especially in relation to “incidental contact” with the land or property.

The ultimate effect depends on whether final legislative action approves or rejects the clarifying language, and how any adopted amendments are worded and interpreted.

Summary takeaway

HB 19 seeks to clarify and narrow the enforcement of trespass and game-and-fish trespass in the context of corner crossings between adjacent parcels, emphasizing foot travel and incidental contact. While it progressed through the Wyoming House and Senate committees, the measure ultimately did not advance to engrossed copy, leaving the substantive change unresolved in the 2026 session.