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Senate committee adopts amendment to bar state/local sales of public land to private interests
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to SB 15 90 clarifying exceptions for protecting public-body property rights and adjusted the sunset; the measure was recommended to the Senate floor 3–2.
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 15 90 that narrows state and local authority to collaborate with federal agencies in selling public lands to private entities while preserving limited protections for public-body property rights.
Senator Broadman, the bill’s chief sponsor, told the committee the dash-4 amendment incorporated feedback from members and changes the sunset date so it is not tied to the presidential administration. He said the amendment also spells out that the law would not prevent actions taken to protect a public body’s property interest or to resolve a cloud on title.
Vice Chair Nash moved adoption of the dash-4 amendment; staff called the roll and the amendment was adopted by a vote of 4 to 1. The committee then voted 3 to 2 to send SB 15 90 as amended to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. Chair Golden asked Senator Broadman to carry the bill on the floor.
The committee did not take further substantive amendments during that work session. The bill’s sponsor said the changes aim to “protect our public lands from selling them off to the highest bidder” while allowing governments to protect state interests in land. The committee proceeded to the next scheduled item after the floor referral vote.
Next steps: SB 15 90 will be carried to the Senate floor by Senator Broadman for further action.
