The Utah House adopted ninth substitute HB 122, titled Military Affairs Amendments, after debate focused on protecting boundaries around state military facilities and clarifying administrative authority.

Representative Burton, the bill sponsor, told the House the measure “help[s] the military protect boundaries around Hill Air Force Base, Camp Williams, Dugway and Tooele Army Depot.” He said the legislation moves administration of certain programs (previously in the Military Base Easements Act, Title 63M) to the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (Title 71A) and provides governance language to administer federal GI Bill benefits and similar duties at the state level.

Burton emphasized compatible-use agreements, describing them as voluntary easements that let landowners keep title while accepting land-use restrictions meant to preserve military mission viability. “We've never exercised eminent domain on anyone,” he said, and described compatible-use easements as a way for the state to preserve bases without relocating them, which he said would impose substantial costs.

Representatives asked about scope. Representative Ivory asked the sponsor to describe the compatible-use boundaries; Burton explained the program is voluntary and easement-based and intended to preserve areas adjacent to bases for compatible uses. Representative Al Peterson warned the largest threat to military facilities is urbanization and urged colleagues to protect training areas.

The House adopted the ninth substitute and passed HB 122 by a vote of 70-0; the bill will be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

Ending: The change reassigns administration authority for some base-protection mechanisms and clarifies compatible-use easement governance; the bill’s supporters framed it as preserving military readiness and avoiding potential relocation costs to taxpayers.