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Utah House approves package pressing federal government to clarify or transfer public lands; sets deadlines and funds litigation planning
Summary
The Utah House passed several measures — including HJR 3, HB 148, HCR 1 and a first-substitute HB 91 — pressing the federal government to state its intentions on federal lands or transfer title, and authorized limited funding and procedural steps toward potential litigation. Supporters cited education funding shortfalls; opponents warned of legal and fiscal risks.
The Utah House on Feb. 29 approved a string of resolutions and bills aimed at pressing the federal government to clarify its intentions or transfer title for vast tracts of federal land in Utah.
The measures included House Joint Resolution 3, which asks Congress to transfer the public lands to the state and proposes a Utah Public Lands Commission to manage them; House Bill 148, a transfer-of-public-lands act; House Concurrent Resolution 1, a letter requesting federal intent; and a first substitute for House Bill 91, which would authorize a declaratory-judgment suit if the federal government does not respond by a legislated date. HJR 3 passed 62-13; HB 148 passed 61-14; HCR 1 passed 53-21; and first substitute HB 91 passed 55-20.
Why it matters: Supporters framed the package as an effort to address long-term funding and management disparities that they say disadvantage Utah…
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