Bill > HB0320

This bill modifies provisions related to the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA). It requires SITLA to determine the fair market value of trust lands before executing a sale, exchange, lease, or other disposition, and to submit a report to the Legislature's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee explaining how the proposed transfer reflects the value of the dispersed pattern of trust lands, the Legislature's prioritization of energy and natural resource development, and conforms with affected counties' resource management plans. The bill also prohibits SITLA from providing financial incentives to employees or contractors for services related to the sale or transfer of trust lands. Additionally, the bill requires legislative approval or review for the sale or transfer of 500 or more acres of governmentally controlled land or trust lands to the federal government, and notification to certain legislators and a legislative committee for smaller transactions. The bill also prohibits SITLA from executing agreements to sell or transfer trust lands in "public lands counties" (counties with less private land ownership than the state average) to the federal government unless the result is a net decrease in federally owned land in the county. The bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.