Committee advances bill to inventory and pursue transfer of federally managed public lands for local public uses

Senate Bill 158, centering on the federal Recreation and Public Purposes Act, passed the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Standing Committee on Feb. 14, 2025, after proponents said an updated inventory and state coordination could unlock federally managed parcels that local governments want for public purposes.

Senator Stratton presented the measure and was joined by Reg Johnson, director of Utah’s Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (PLPCO). Stratton said the bill would require PLPCO to inventory applications and lands over the last decade, maintain an ongoing inventory, and provide resources and assistance to local governments that request help formulating and submitting land applications under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. The bill substitutes the phrase "federally managed public land" for "federal land" in several places.

Director Reg Johnson told members the act applies to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and said possible uses include schools, fire stations, shooting ranges, recreation amenities and landfill extensions. He noted the state has "orphan properties" inside city limits that could be put to beneficial public use, and said PLPCO has discussed opportunities with the BLM. Senator Stratton and Director Johnson cited estimates from PLPCO’s inventory that Utah County contains roughly 29,000 acres of federally managed land within municipal boundaries and the state's inventory totals over 250,000 acres.

Committee members asked whether similar processes exist for U.S. Forest Service lands and where the bill's references to "the office" are defined in statute; sponsors said the Recreation and Public Purposes Act applies to BLM lands and that the bill defines the "office" in its definitions.

There was no public opposition at the hearing. Representative Owens moved that the committee favorably recommend the bill; the motion carried by voice vote.

Supporters said the bill is intended to coordinate state efforts to pursue conveyances for public uses and to assist local governments in accessing federal parcels suitable for community use. The bill passed committee with a favorable recommendation and moves on to the next stage of the legislative process.