The Utah House Public Utilities and Energy Standing Committee voted to adopt the first substitute and then to pass HCR012 with a favorable recommendation asking state agencies and the legislature to study potential transfers, leases or co‑management options for certain federal recreation lands.

The sponsor told the committee the substitute combines three similar resolutions into one request. The measure asks State Parks to study options including purchase, leasing or transfer under the federal Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act for sites such as Antelope Flats at Flaming Gorge, a proposed "Skyline" area in Davis County (Sunset Campground/Skyline Drive), Little Sahara and Monte Cristo campgrounds, and to report findings back to the Natural Resources Committee. The sponsor said the resolution would not transfer federal ownership without additional approvals and emphasized it is "simply a request for more data. Good data drives good decisions."

Kate Bradshaw, speaking in her elected-role capacity as a member of the Bountiful City Council, described local trail work east of Bountiful and urged study of a potential Skyline State Park to preserve motorized and nonmotorized trail access and improve upkeep and law enforcement coordination on Forest Service land.

Representatives weighed practical and fiscal concerns. Several members — including Representatives Albrecht, Chu and Moss — said they supported investigating options but urged caution given recent federal staffing and budget reductions. Representative Chu said Antelope Flats had previously had more than 100 campsites and that only about 48 sites were currently maintained; he said Daggett County had been subsidizing road and utility upkeep. Representative Moss described personal ties to Flaming Gorge and said she was "torn" because of the potential cost and uncertainty.

Reg Johnson of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office told the committee that co‑management arrangements are not unprecedented; he cited the Bears Ears Tribal Commission co‑management agreement as an example and said the Biden administration had created examples of shared management without a fiscal note.

The committee first adopted the first substitute (motion to adopt first sub) and then approved moving HCR012, as subbed, out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Representative Watkins made the motions; the adoption of the substitute passed unanimously. The subsequent motion to pass HCR012 with a favorable recommendation passed with all in favor except Representative Dominguez, who was recorded in opposition.

Committee members emphasized the resolution is a study request with a zero fiscal note at committee stage; any actual transfers, leases, or operational changes would require negotiations with federal agencies, local governments, and future legislative or executive approvals. The sponsor said State Parks and federal partners would need to return to the Natural Resources Committee with recommendations for further action.