ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HCR2022: energy and land use restrictions

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 14

Committee on Federal Relations

Overview

States the Arizona Legislature’s opposition to federal legislation that restricts land use and energy production.

History

H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, withdraws approximately one million acres of federal land in Arizona adjacent to the Grand Canyon National Park from mining and mineral and geothermal leasing. (H.R. 1373- Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act). Similarly, H.R. 2181, also known as the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019, withdraws federal land in proximity to the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico from entry under hard rock mining and from mineral and geothermal leasing activities and dismisses any existing leasing agreements in the withdrawal area that are not producing by the end of their initial term. (H.R. 2181- Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019).

On May 18, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) published a list of 35 minerals “considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States.” (United States Geological Survey). This publication was required by an Executive Order that also states the U.S. policy to: 1) identify new sources of these critical minerals; 2) increase activity at all levels of the supply chain; and 3) streamline leasing and permitting processes to expedite production of minerals on the list. (E.O. 13817). H.R. 3405 directs DOI to remove uranium from the critical mineral list. (H.R. 3405- Uranium Classification Act of 2019).

Provisions

1. Condemns the federal legislation that restricts land use and obstructs U.S. energy production.

2. States that the Arizona Legislature finds this federal legislation contrary to national security, property rights, energy security and the well-being of Arizonans.

3. Directs the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of the Resolution to the U.S. President and each member of the Arizona Congressional delegation.

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7. HCR 2022

8. Initials DC/GKS Page 0 Federal Relations

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