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Supporters tell committee SB 15 90 would bar state assistance in privatizing federal public lands
Summary
Public-lands advocates and hunters testified in favor of SB 15 90, which would prohibit state or local resources from assisting federal land transfers that privatize public lands; the sponsor signaled amendments to exempt tribal transfers and allow balanced land swaps, and the bill was set for a work session.
Co-chair Helm opened the public hearing on Senate Bill 15 90 and took testimony from hunters, conservation groups and the bill sponsor about efforts to prevent privatization of federally managed public lands.
Supporters said the bill would prohibit state or local use of resources to help the federal government convey or privatize certain federal public lands. "With SB 15 90, Oregon lawmakers can take proactive steps and ounce of prevention to protect the lands that belong to all of us and to keep it that way by prohibiting Oregon's public bodies from using state or local resources to assist the federal government in in selling certain federal public lands to private parties," Cameron Koval said in testimony.
Other witnesses echoed that argument. Will Carrell said federal attempts to sell public lands "will take them from the generations of hunters and anglers who have cared for them" and urged protections to preserve hunting and fishing traditions. Madison Kenny of Friends of the Columbia Gorge cited a recent proposal that put roughly 22,000 acres in the Columbia River Gorge at risk and said the lands support climate resilience, recreation and clean water. Liz Crandall, who previously worked for the Forest Service, and Fiona Noonan of Central Oregon LandWatch urged the committee to pass SB 15 90 to keep lands in public hands.
Sponsor Senator Anthony Broadman said the bill is modeled on a "sanctuary promise" law and described potential amendments he has discussed with co-chair Owens. Broadman said the committee should consider amendments that would explicitly exempt transfers involving federally recognized tribes or tribal-owned entities and clarify that transfers to government-controlled entities are not covered; he also said he had requested an amendment to allow balanced land swaps that consolidate holdings for management purposes.
The committee closed the public hearing. Chair Helm said both bills will return for a work session on Wednesday; no committee vote was recorded at this hearing.
The next step for SB 15 90 is the scheduled work session where the sponsor said he will submit amendment language clarifying tribal exemptions and swap rules.
