House approves resolution asking attorney general for list of state lands leased to U.S., seeks legal review of lease renewals

The House of Representatives approved a resolution requesting the attorney general produce a list of state lands currently leased to the U.S. government and to provide legal advice on the legality of current and potential lease renewals.

The resolution drew floor debate over a paragraph that references actions taken by the Trump administration. Critics on the floor said the language is unnecessarily partisan and runs counter to House decorum rules; supporters said the paragraph cites factual executive actions and that the resolution is intended to give the Legislature information ahead of renegotiations of military leases that expire in 2029.

Representative Shinizue, in opposing the resolution on the House floor, said the paragraph referencing the Trump administration was "completely unnecessary and introduces language" that would "foster unwanted and undesirable judgment and division." Shinizue cited House Rule 28.3 and House Rule 62.3, arguing that the rules require members to avoid disparaging references and to treat others with respect, courtesy and fairness.

Representative Bellotti countered in support, saying the resolution refers to executive orders the current administration issued and that the measure is meant to gather information at a critical juncture for state land management. "This resolution is simply doing is to ask for more information," Bellotti said, urging colleagues to support the request so the Legislature can "determine how to better manage our lands" as military leases come up for resolution.

Representative Shimizu, citing testimony from the deputy attorney general in committee, relayed the AGoffice's recommendation that the body avoid a broad legal-question request in a resolution and instead approach the attorney general after the session with specific legal questions to get more tailored advice. "The AG suggestion is that rather than doing this through a resolution, legislators approach the AG after the conclusion of the session with specific legal questions," Shimizu said, repeating the committee testimony.

Other members voiced both support and opposition during the debate. Representative Hussey said he supported the resolution. Representatives Moroka and Garcia, among others, registered opposition or reservations, with some choosing to adopt the words of earlier speakers rather than restating them.

The House took a voice vote and the motion carried. The record on the floor notes the motion was carried by voice vote; no numerical roll-call tally was provided during the session.

The resolution requests a factual list of state lands leased to federal entities and asks the state's attorney general for a legal opinion on lease renewals; the resolution text and a formal resolution number were not specified on the House floor during the recorded debate.

Members also referenced broader context for the discussion: numerous military leases in the state are set to expire in 2029, prompting questions about future management and negotiation of those leases. On the floor, the deputy attorney general's committee testimony was cited as advising a narrower, more specific legal inquiry rather than a broad request via resolution.

The House action is advisory in nature (a resolution requesting information and an opinion) and does not itself change lease status or lease law; any legal changes or lease negotiations would require follow-up action by the executive branch, agencies that manage the lands, or further legislative steps.

Members of the public and stakeholders concerned about state lands and military use would likely look to future committee work and correspondence between legislators and the attorney general for additional detail, including any scope-limited legal questions the AG's office might be asked to answer.