Senator introduces bill to require county notice, zoning compliance and lease transparency for state land commercial leases

Sen. Van Burton Shaw introduced RS32230, a legislative proposal that would change how the state manages commercial uses of state-owned land.

Under the proposal, the state board would be required to notify county commissioners when an agreement is executed involving state land in their communities; commercial leases, permits and other land-use authorizations would include a provision requiring compliance with applicable county planning and zoning ordinances; and revenues generated from commercial uses on state land would not be exempt from public disclosure. "So we want them to have a heads up when the state leases land to a commercial venture," Shaw said, citing past instances in which leased uses — including a septic system installed without county approval — created problems for local communities.

The bill sponsor said the zoning-compliance provision is intended to ensure that county regulatory requirements, such as septic permitting and inspections, apply to commercial operations on state land and that the state not be left solely responsible for post-lease violations.

The committee took a motion to introduce RS32230 to print. Senator Oconowitz moved the introduction and Senator Harris seconded; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

The measure was submitted for formal introduction; no committee amendment or fiscal detail was recorded in the hearing. Further committee action or floor scheduling was not recorded at the meeting.