[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6322813,"mediaKeyId","2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4","parentId",2346291,"title","Committee backs resolution urging federal disposal of certain federal lands and opposing '30x30' conservation push","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4669039,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4&start=4669&end=4669","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4/thumbnail_4669039.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322813/Arizona/Committee-backs-resolution-urging-federal-disposal-of-certain-federal-lands-and-opposing-30x30-conservation-push","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322813-52d3464849a830856d724417165fd95f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139167&Signature=N0qO-vcz1pP8HgJwEiS3CJ4nEn0MgKwk~zwY9cfk9N11KDn486QHLqxxmGqVFKzbH6wA4wa-WI4lsNH7oMInTRAFgEh7d6YXfEWim0CM-OEhdOKTl-43mh4uPm8vomrJW1RNnDQPnHPPJFMTIyMJH-mgpOlCwhAQvYQ6Dq8U9V4SRy2CkCETE4ZOHc-H6qSIBEah2lFrhYRCqggE-y8NzGaU0js6wgyYwEehk4lx8ZkfQMysoz-tbwc-GCs9f5mAASwUaGJW9jHKvImTWU7B2WzrylE3iY3EjFjfcZkHz~HVl9ux6JfWI7rLCVIjwWqd0XZiUCsFPuyIuI6M05tUcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona State Legislature","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Federalism and Lands Committee gave a due‑pass recommendation to Senate Concurrent Resolution 1018 on Wednesday, a nonbinding resolution that urged the Bureau of Land Management to dispose of certain federally held unappropriated lands and opposed the federal \"30 by 30\" conservation initiative.

Sponsor remarks: The sponsor framed the resolution as a statement that Arizona's ability to manage its tax base and natural resources should be preserved. \"How much more land can Arizona afford to lose?\" the sponsor asked during committee debate, saying the resolution opposes federal initiatives that would transfer or restrict private and state land in the name of conservation.

Public testimony: Zachary Santoyo, identifying himself as a member of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, testified against the resolution and warned that transfers of BLM land to state trust land or private ownership would reduce public recreation access and raise recreation costs. \"Selling trust land has become the state's best tool to generate the revenue,\" he said, adding concern that state trust lands are more restrictive than current federal access.

Sierra Club testimony: Sandy Barr of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter also opposed the resolution and sought to correct characterizations of the 30x30 initiative, saying the national effort emphasizes collaborative, locally led conservation and that Arizonans have historically supported protecting public lands in bipartisan fashion. Barr urged lawmakers to reject the resolution.

Committee action and context: The committee adopted a two‑page Fincham amendment that specifies the resolution refers to federally held proprietary interest class‑4 unappropriated lands. Committee debate reflected a familiar split: sponsors and some members framed federal land disposal as necessary to restore state control and revenue capacity; opponents warned about lost recreation access, conservation objectives and long‑term public benefits. The committee recorded a 4–2–1 vote in favor; supporters said the resolution is nonbinding but communicates the legislature's position to federal authorities.

Next steps: SCR 1018, as amended, will move forward to the full Senate. Because it is a concurrent resolution and not statute, it expresses the legislature's view rather than changing law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/17/2025 - Senate Federalism","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Concurrent Resolution 1018, which expresses legislative support for BLM disposal of certain federally held unappropriated lands and opposes the federal \"30 by 30\" conservation initiative, passed the committee 4–2–1 after public testimony highlighted conflicting views on recreation access, economic value and conservation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6322818,"Panel approves bill requiring county approval before most federal officers may arrest, search or seize on non‑federal land",627,4125369,4752585,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4&start=4125&end=4752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4/thumbnail_4125369.jpg","/articles/6322818/Arizona/Panel-approves-bill-requiring-county-approval-before-most-federal-officers-may-arrest-search-or-seize-on-nonfederal-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322818-ad33c733a298df652494a2e5c1617644/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139167&Signature=Pl4m-sDafqtEdyGHp6VD1x1R8oRUkxU~zgbl802b1meVUrds2HoJDaLSi1W9LRXz6vUGaJhPhcQ7Gn81deqrWoFxhXDUEv6pHN0ItITy5Mzd41U9AOrGZZZ81y10gLY7UzP~wVfUge2~QEHMcj85YQ5bXSAULI3n36vysq9T0djF702XR68ZruDpzMIcU~~dBONMy5VBCTxezdxjF7r0DPYrXUubyflYUa6eZXldYNap8FP6wpExSUCnfPLZVZXl55steIeSGjFad9un6ydOl-bSht9mMdxjVPP6Y54kmypCJRgcTIVDMxc3up6vsLJXP3y8oLAlu6S17xAUKfSaAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Federalism and Lands Committee advanced Senate Bill 1498 on Wednesday, approving a measure that would bar most federal employees who are not Arizona‑certified peace officers from making an arrest, search or seizure on state or local lands unless they have written permission from the county sheriff or the state attorney general.

Scope and exceptions: The bill's text, as described to the committee, carves out several exceptions: the prohibition would not apply when the activity occurs on a federal enclave where jurisdiction has been ceded to the United States, when the federal employee witnesses a crime that requires immediate arrest, where the federal employee enters the state in lawful hot pursuit, or where the officer is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer acting under preexisting agreements such as 287(g). The bill also includes prosecutorial requirements: if a county attorney refuses to prosecute an individual who violates the bill's prohibition, the attorney general may prosecute and a county attorney who refuses to prosecute could be subject to recall and prosecution for misconduct.

Committee discussion: During questioning, some members voiced constitutional concerns and asked whether the bill would impede federal enforcement of federal crimes. The chair clarified federal agents retain authority to enforce federal law on federal land and that the bill is intended to address enforcement of state statutes and local ordinances by federal personnel on non‑federal land. Committee members asked staff to confirm existing cooperative frameworks (for example, 287(g) and other memoranda of understanding) would still allow operational coordination; the sponsor said those agreements remain valid.

Outcome: The committee moved SB 1498 and recorded a 4–2–1 vote in favor. Supporters framed the bill as a reminder that enforcement of state and local laws falls under local authority unless explicit coordination exists; critics warned the language could be read broadly and asked for clarifying edits to avoid unintentionally impeding federal prosecutions of federal crimes.","Senate Bill 1498 would prohibit a federal employee who is not a certified Arizona peace officer from making arrest, search or seizure on non‑federal land without written permission from the county sheriff or attorney general, with enumerated exceptions; the committee recommended the measure 4–2–1 after limited debate and questions about scope.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6322821,"Committee backs bill to create Arizona Department of Natural Resources despite objections about authority and property rights",2887,1338284,4225755,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4&start=1338&end=4225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4/thumbnail_1338284.jpg","/articles/6322821/Arizona/Committee-backs-bill-to-create-Arizona-Department-of-Natural-Resources-despite-objections-about-authority-and-property-rights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322821-a10e4ffd2230f847fe478b3d4d707937/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139167&Signature=eENFGltA4Hr~daAPMXnxQfOYL4G4OhmwqxXCy9ELsbSADmMxR2pBJEPa3kU5rFHJscYsPXdQvtMot8nn5NmyvhO6OW5Z1pXMT5IlkowomV3NIbrW4FIxvAlEA2uIYtlTZFwUdZ8NnS3HMmt5dT9bcxWNEqoTzzNdirVEEttgUEmSIaj98lpt9EzBKV~RhvSzQ6CHFb1GUtp5RZ~FrujSp~d5nBSazLgVaLRolQL6bbQiGY7CjvAjCz44x3ebnqLLyZdbuiwbjCXLjCgM64er7bRan7gokuVPPkE36wcCCvL6Ry4a5EVKnZ7JbcbjdayTc8s~qm81vmALt55UxJp8pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A strike‑everything amendment to Senate Bill 1278 that would create a Department of Natural Resources to acquire and manage non‑trust lands in Arizona and give the department a number of new powers cleared the Senate Federalism and Lands Committee on Wednesday.

Sponsor Senator Fincham opened discussion by describing the proposal as a small organizational structure intended to receive and manage lands the state might acquire from the federal government or by other lawful means. \"This will establish the Department of Natural Resources to manage non trust land,\" the sponsor said, listing duties the department would have, including managing watersheds and forest thinning to reduce wildfire risk.

What the amendment would do: The strike‑everything amendment (six pages, dated Feb. 12) would establish a Department of Natural Resources and a five‑member Commission on Natural Resources; grant the department authority to hold or convey state lands and open lands for recreation, agriculture or resource extraction; provide the department a right of first refusal when the federal government contracts to acquire private real property; and give the director authority to \"issue, deny, or modify any permit or permitting decision made by any agency of the State regarding the extraction of natural resources,\" language that several committee members and witnesses called broad and in need of clarification.

State Land Department concerns: Lynn Cordova, legislative policy administrator for the State Land Department, told the committee the bill would create a new category of ‘‘state land’’ distinct from state trust land and that Title 37 would need careful amendment to avoid overlap between the trust and the new entity. Cordova flagged the draft language that allows the new department to alter other agencies' permitting decisions and warned that the provision could remove existing agency authority.

Opposition and support: Sandy Barr, director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, testified in opposition, citing constitutional and private‑property concerns about a state right of first refusal and warning the measure could create additional bureaucracy and interagency conflict. Adam Hawkins, who described himself as a multi‑generation Arizona miner working with mining companies, testified in favor and said a DNR structure could streamline permitting and resource planning. Hawkins also raised concerns about thousands of abandoned mine sites on federal land and cited the complexity of federal environmental review (NEPA) as a reason states should be prepared to manage lands transferred from federal control.

Committee action and concerns: Committee members expressed several substantive concerns while debating the measure — chiefly (1) whether the right of first refusal would create constitutional issues and interfere with private contracting; (2) whether the new department could lawfully modify or deny permits issued by other state agencies such as the Department of Water Resources or the Department of Environmental Quality; and (3) whether creating the department would derail revenue generation that benefits public schools by competing with the State Land Department's auctions.

The committee adopted the strike‑everything Fincham amendment and then recommended SB 1278 as amended for a due pass. The roll‑call result was 4 ayes, 2 nays and 1 not voting. Sponsors and staff will need to address the permit‑modification language and the constitutional implications of the right of first refusal before the bill progresses.","Senate Bill 1278, a strike‑everything bill to establish a Department of Natural Resources that would manage non‑trust state lands, a commission, and a right of first refusal on some land sales, received a due‑pass recommendation amid objections over permit‑override language and constitutional concerns about the right of first refusal.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6322826,"Senate panel advances bill to let state land exchanges be approved by governor and legislature instead of statewide referendum",1088,184685,1272769,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4&start=184&end=1272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346291-8e26b6af690bb742f38c13320c592bf4/thumbnail_184685.jpg","/articles/6322826/Arizona/Senate-panel-advances-bill-to-let-state-land-exchanges-be-approved-by-governor-and-legislature-instead-of-statewide-referendum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322826-eb61e65bbb7c696d0dd39e84309fc98d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139167&Signature=UWReKVpv8NEulDA1Xbhfnmd5~GfA9L0jt64OFbax6Q2X27U3fDU5Oxaz68BA1YfCZhsyBtE6-8~PF-fxFD13kjyxMZtflZ~uT7Jo6YUloyL1heN5yLRehcZIvrmxB5yF97JCMB6BlVEZNe75B9CSPoYTqdp4A8FKcSYau7n4uE2H-1mtVF2764sgmBLJzOHgVPJEf2oNG8XCgtY5R9jSowyp6VtZhIwqFpCjks8669eN8G6MEM5p6LS9q2VqmPA9p9x0gX-pcAxNvKS8v-Lw6E6pF4jNWeQcbf-PyEXoSxR5S9Rgt3nHf~h2tKBlr~gmXEarJDOa3csIWgfLVZyPrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 1150, which would let the State of Arizona approve exchanges of state land for other land in Arizona without sending each transaction to a statewide referendum, advanced out of the Senate Federalism and Lands Committee on Wednesday after an amendment adding legislative approval was adopted.

The bill's sponsor and amendment author, Senator Fincham, told the committee the measure would allow state trust land exchanges to be approved by the governor and, with the committee's amendment, by the legislature through a joint resolution instead of requiring a statewide vote in every case. \"There's 1 amendment which I'd be happy to explain,\" Fincham said, offering a four‑page amendment dated Feb. 12 that adds the legislative approval step.

Why it matters: Under current practice, some exchanges of state trust land that are judged suitable for swap must be referred to voters across Arizona, a process critics say can prevent routine, small‑scale trades. Proponents told the committee the change would create a mechanism for more practical, localized trades while preserving the option to refer major transfers to voters.

In testimony, Mike Williams, who identified himself as an individual with no formal affiliation, said he learned state land exchanges were effectively constrained because even small swaps had to go to a statewide ballot. \"Even in something as small as 20 acres, you would have to send it for a statewide initiative. That's why I brought it to the legislature,\" Williams said.

Environmental groups opposed the bills. Sandy Barr, director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, told the committee the public historically has rejected broad land‑exchange proposals and cautioned against eliminating the voter check. \"The public is very suspicious of land exchanges, and rightfully so,\" Barr said, citing past exchanges that she said produced poor outcomes.

Committee action: The committee adopted the Fincham amendment and then moved SB 1150 as amended. The panel also considered SCR 1006, a companion concurrent resolution to amend the Arizona Constitution so the statutory change in SB 1150 could take effect without running afoul of the current constitutional requirement for voter approval. After debate and testimony, the committee gave both measures a due‑pass recommendation.

Votes and next steps: By roll call the committee recorded 4 ayes, 2 nays and 1 not voting on SB 1150 as amended; the same tally applied to SCR 1006 as amended. Both measures will move to further Senate consideration. The committee record shows opponents raised concerns that shifting approval authority away from voters could reduce oversight of state trust lands, which are managed to generate revenue for education.

The meeting included public comment and questions to staff about whether the concurrent resolution is necessary to effectuate the statutory change; staff told the committee SCR 1006 would be a conditional enactment tied to passage of SB 1150. No further action on these specific measures was taken at the hearing beyond the committee recommendations.","The Senate Federalism and Lands Committee voted 4–2–1 to give Senate Bill 1150 a “due pass” recommendation after adopting an amendment that would require gubernatorial and legislative approval for most state land exchanges; a companion constitutional measure, SCR 1006, also received a due-pass recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs resolution urging federal disposal of certain federal lands and opposing '30x30' conservation push

Panel approves bill requiring county approval before most federal officers may arrest, search or seize on non‑federal land

Committee backs bill to create Arizona Department of Natural Resources despite objections about authority and property rights

Senate panel advances bill to let state land exchanges be approved by governor and legislature instead of statewide referendum