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Rep. Chaffetz urges Utah lawmakers to press federal action on public lands, internet tax and oversight
Summary
U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz told the Utah House on Feb. 20 that he will press several priorities — including a bill to dispose of ‘‘excess federal lands,’’ Marketplace Fairness discussions on internet sales taxes, protections for grassroots caucus processes, and stronger congressional oversight of the executive branch.
U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz addressed the Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 20, urging state lawmakers to press federal officials on several fronts including public‑lands transfers, marketplace fairness for internet sales, the political caucus process and congressional oversight.
"I really do believe at the heart of what I'm supposed to do is help represent Utah to Washington, not Washington to Utah," Chaffetz said, opening a remarks that he later framed around four specific priorities. He described a bill he introduced, called "Disposal of Excess Federal Lands," that has passed out of committee and would identify federal parcels that "serve no public purpose" for sale back to private owners.
Chaffetz said his legislation would apply to roughly 123,000 acres in Utah and argued that sales would create ongoing local property‑tax revenue, with a portion supporting schools. He praised a parallel, county‑led initiative led by Rep. Rob Bishop and said both legal and legislative avenues should be pursued to resolve long‑running land‑ownership disputes.
On internet taxation, Chaffetz said he has been asked to help convene retailers, online marketers and states to seek a bipartisan solution following the Supreme Court's Quill decision. He described the issue as a state's‑rights question and noted he has cosponsored legislation to make permanent the existing ban on taxation of internet access.
Chaffetz also warned against changes to the caucus and convention process that he said would advantage well‑funded candidates and hurt grassroots challengers. On oversight, he said he is seeking a leadership role in the House Oversight Committee to bring more scrutiny and "sunshine" to executive‑branch decisions.
During a question‑and‑answer period, members pressed Chaffetz on the Violence Against Women Act and Native American jurisdictional concerns, the historic Utah Enabling Act and whether proceeds from land sales would protect the state’s 5% share for schools, and on federal support for air‑quality grants. Chaffetz acknowledged the Navajo Nation is now partially in his district and said the VAWA matter carries legal and adjudicatory complexity. He stopped short of reading legal language aloud on the Enabling Act but said he supports multiple approaches to reclaiming state rights.
The House thanked Chaffetz for the visit before resuming its legislative calendar.
