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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
state trust land; land exchanges
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally requires the transfer of state land for other lands, rather than only public lands, to be approved by the Governor, rather than by the qualified electors of Arizona by referendum.
Background
The Legislature must provide a process for exchanging lands granted or confirmed by the Enabling Act for public lands in Arizona. The purpose of the exchange must be to assist in preserving and protecting military facilities in Arizona from encroaching development or to improve the management of state lands for the purpose of sale, lease or conversion to public use of state lands. State land may not be exchanged unless the exchange is in the best interest of the state land trust, public notice of the proposed exchanges includes full disclosure of all details of the transaction and public hearings are held at the state capital and in a location of general accessibility in the vicinity of the state lands being exchanged. The exchange of lands must be approved by the majority vote of the qualified electors the state of Arizona by referendum at the next general election (Ariz. Const. art. 10 ยง 12).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows state land to be exchanged for any other land in Arizona, rather than only public land in Arizona.
2. Requires the exchange transaction of state lands for other lands to be approved by the Governor, rather qualified electors of Arizona in the form of a prescribed referendum.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
5. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on the proclamation of the Governor.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 13, 2025
AN/DL/slp