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Committee backs memorial asking Congress to reaffirm FLPMA after legal challenge
Summary
HJM 9 asks Congress to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act as the primary authority for federal land management following a recent judicial decision; J.R. Simplot Company testified in support, citing a 2020 land exchange affected by the ruling.
The committee advanced HJM 9, a memorial urging the U.S. Congress to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) as the controlling federal law for public land management and land exchanges. Senator Harris told the committee a recent Idaho judge's decision threatened the predictability and stability of FLPMA's framework and that congressional action was needed to prevent disruption to land exchanges and management.
Elizabeth Criner, testifying on behalf of J.R. Simplot Company, said the dispute involves a land exchange approved in 2020 and told the committee that "after using FLPMA to handle land exchanges and land management for 50 years without question, this was the first time a judge reverted to one of the more than 3,000 land disposal laws existing prior to FLPMA's passage." Criner said the outcome could affect landowners and states across the West. Senator Guthrie moved to send HJM 9 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation; Senator Taylor seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
