Bill > HB0103

This bill requires state entities such as the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration and the Department of Natural Resources to identify and record public roads located on state-owned lands, with specific provisions targeting seven counties (Carbon, Garfield, Grand, Kane, San Juan, Uintah, and Wayne) that must complete this process by January 5, 2026. The bill mandates that when recording these roads, state agencies must provide a legal description sufficient for reasonable identification and ensure that the roads remain open for public use. For wildlife management areas, the Division of Wildlife Resources is given specific guidelines about road closures, including that permanent road closures can only occur with county consent beginning May 7, 2025, and must go through a formal habitat management plan review process. The bill also clarifies procedures for abandoning roads, specifically R.S. 2477 rights-of-way (historical public land access routes), and stipulates that the passage of time or infrequent use does not constitute abandonment. Additionally, the legislation ensures that any future sale or exchange of state lands will be subject to existing public access rights, providing continuity of road access for the public.

Government Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0103.html