REFERENCE TITLE: federal lands; transfer; study committee

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature First Regular Session 2015

HB 2658

Introduced by Representatives Barton, Gray, Thorpe, Townsend: Bowers, Shope, Weninger

 

AN ACT

 

Establishing the transfer of federal lands study committee.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Transfer of federal lands study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A.  The transfer of federal lands study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1.  The chairperson and vice chairperson of the house of representatives committee on agriculture, water and lands, or its successor committee.

2.  The chairperson and vice chairperson of the senate committee on natural resources, or its successor committee.

3.  One member of the public who is appointed by the governor.

B.  The transfer of federal lands study committee is formed to examine processes to transfer, manage and dispose of federal lands within this state.

C.  The transfer of federal lands study committee shall:

1.  Conduct hearings to collect, evaluate and analyze information relating to federal lands in this state to identify significant concerns, risks, solutions and goals associated with these lands relating to the following:

(a)  Environmental quality.

(b)  Economic productivity and sustainability.

(c)  Public health, safety and welfare.

(d)  Consistency with state and local objectives.

(e)  Ownership and jurisdictional responsibilities.

(f)  Other aspects considered appropriate by the transfer of federal lands study committee.

2.  Survey the county board of supervisors of counties that contain at least fifteen percent land area under the management of federal agencies.

3.  Develop management priorities for public lands received from the federal government for this state and local jurisdictions.

4.  Identify measures that will ensure that public lands in this state are managed responsibly and prudently for present and future generations.

5.  Develop processes for this state to receive title to public lands from the federal government and to transfer title to the public lands received from the federal government.

6.  Investigate lawful mechanisms, including actions implemented in other states, that may aid in achieving the goals identified pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection.

7.  Submit a report regarding the committee's activities, findings and recommendations on or before December 31, 2016 to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

D.  This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2017.