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Senate defeats amendment limiting Division of Wildlife Resources land acquisitions; SB 12 passes
Summary
The Utah Senate rejected an amendment that would have required the Division of Wildlife Resources to identify replacement lands so the state’s net acreage wouldn’t grow, then approved Senate Bill 12 on third reading to govern public involvement and land acquisition practices for wildlife management.
The Utah Senate rejected an amendment to Senate Bill 12 that would have required the Division of Wildlife Resources to identify other lands for transfer so that the state’s net acreage would not increase, then approved the bill on third reading and sent it to the House.
Senator Marine presented SB 12 as a measure to formalize public involvement in management plans and in the acquisition of lands by the Division of Wildlife Resources. An unidentified senator introduced an amendment (page 3, line 5) that would have required, when the Division acquires lands, the agency to find other lands that could be transferred so that “the net increase in state owned lands would not increase.”
Supporters of the amendment said it would add enforceable limits to prevent steady expansion of state-owned lands and urged that planning without enforcement lacks ‘teeth.’ Opponents raised several operational concerns: they said the amendment could force the state to dispose of lands that were donated or bequeathed before the state could legally or practically take possession, hampering negotiations and potential public benefit. Senators cited existing mechanisms such as school trust land auctions and county planning efforts as partial alternatives to the amendment.
The amendment was put to a voice vote and ruled defeated by the presiding officer. Following the failed amendment, a call for the question led to a roll-call vote on SB 12. The Senate recorded 24 ayes and 2 nays, with 3 senators absent, and the bill was passed to the House for consideration.
The session record shows the amendment debate focused on balancing limits to public land growth with the practical ability of state agencies to accept donations, conduct purchases and negotiate sales. No implementation details or specific replacement parcels were identified during floor debate.
The next procedural step for SB 12 is consideration by the House. The Senate discussion did not include a named motion sponsor for the amendment beyond the floor speaker who introduced it; the debate included multiple senators voicing support and opposition.
