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House passes bill requiring counties to adopt resource management plans
Summary
The House passed HB 323 on March 5, 2015, directing counties to include a resource management plan in their general plans and enabling state coordination; the bill includes funding to reimburse counties for plan development (counties may receive up to $50,000).
Representative Stratton presented House Bill 323 on the House floor, saying the measure "requires a county to develop a county develop resource management plan as part of the county's general plan" and that the intention is to align local plans with federal partners.
During questions, Representative Fred Cox asked for clarity on the fiscal note, referencing "the 1,500,000.0" figure. Representative Stratton responded that counties could expect technical-support costs "up to a hundred thousand dollars" for plan creation but that the bill provides reimbursement: the appropriation will allow counties to be reimbursed up to $50,000 each and "the counties have applied to their, CIB funds to have a match of 50,000," he said. Stratton also described the state's role as helping "stitch that plan together" so federal land managers can consider county plans.
Representative Noel spoke in support, noting that about "two thirds of the state of Utah is in federal management" and arguing that having county and state plans helps the state "tell [federal agencies] that we would like you to consider our plans and our local uses." Noel said the bill funds plan development and would permit local input to be considered in federal planning such as RMPs or forest plans.
Stratton closed by encouraging support and emphasizing public meetings and local stakeholder involvement during plan development. The House voted to approve HB 323; the clerk announced the bill "having received 64 yes votes, 0 no votes, passes this body, and will be referred to the senate for its consideration." The bill will move to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: HB 323 will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration; no amendments or roll-call names beyond the tally were recorded on the floor.
