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ROCK SPRINGS—Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, is adamant that Wyoming is nothing like Minnesota and said he is working on a bill that shows the state’s support for federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by making it a felony to impede their work.

Kolb spoke with the Rock Springs City Council on Tuesday evening about the upcoming legislative session beginning Feb. 9. Kolb described the recent incident at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel, formerly known as the Clarion, in Rock Springs between U.S. Border Patrol agents and protesters as being a catalyst for his proposed bill. The Rock Springs Police Department alleges protesters blocked ICE agents in at the hotel and Sweetwater County Sheriff John Grossnickle denounced protesters’ actions, while protesters say Grossnickle and RSPD misrepresented what happened. Kolb said he was quickly motivated to act.

This Rock Springs hotel was the site of a Jan. 29 police response after a crowd of people gathered to block U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from leaving the parking lot. (Daniel Bendtsen)

“I was so motivated I talked with you, mayor, … about just what happened, how it happened, what people knew, what they didn’t know,” Kolb said. “What I know is, is people don’t have the right to block your travel with a vehicle.”

Kolb said the bill is in draft form and hasn’t been introduced yet. As the upcoming legislative session will focus on the state’s budget, the bill will need a two-thirds majority vote to be introduced as it isn’t a topic related to budgetary issues.

Kolb, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the penalty for being convicted of the felony would be a prison sentence of between five and 25 years. The proposed penalty would make it potentially one of the more severe crimes to be charged with; it would have a minimum sentence requirement and a high maximum potential sentence. For example, aggravated vehicular homicide, a felony charged when someone kills another person by recklessly driving a vehicle, has a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. A manslaughter sentence is also capped at 20 years, and unlike Kolb’s proposal, has no mandatory minimum.

Kolb said he isn’t the only person investigating a means of punishing someone who impedes federal agents. Kolb said Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, is looking at enhancements through the existing interference with a peace officer laws.

“We’re not Minnesota … and I’m proud to support law enforcement officers no matter who they are,” Kolb said. “Because they’re trying to do the right thing and they’re people.”

David Martin is the news director of SweetwaterNOW.

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