Bill > SB0158

This bill amends Utah state law to clarify and expand the responsibilities of the state office managing federal land acquisitions under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (RPPA), a federal law that allows the Secretary of the Interior to sell or lease public lands for specific public uses. The bill replaces the term "federal land" with "federally managed public land" throughout the existing statute and adds several new requirements for the state office. These include monitoring land applications submitted by government entities, conducting an extensive survey of land applications submitted between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2024, and collecting detailed data about these applications, such as which entities submitted them, when they were submitted, the location and quantity of land involved, and the current status of each application. The office is also tasked with developing expertise in the land application process, educating government entities about available lands and application procedures, advising entities through the application process, creating a list of factors to determine public interest in land applications, and preparing annual reports to legislative committees about land application activities. The bill is set to take effect on May 7, 2025, and aims to improve transparency and tracking of federal land acquisition efforts in Utah.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0158.html