HCR 14

 Enrolled Copy  H.C.R. 14
1      Concurrent Resolution Supporting the Transfer of Federally Managed Lands
                                      2026 GENERAL SESSION
                                            STATE OF UTAH
                                 Chief Sponsor: Raymond P. Ward
                                     Senate Sponsor: Don L. Ipson
2
3  LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5      This resolution is related to the disposition of federally managed lands for affordable
6  housing.
7  Highlighted Provisions:
8      This resolution:
9      ▸ acknowledges that Utah's growth has intensified housing affordability challenges;
10      ▸ recognizes that affordable housing is critical to workforce stability and community
11  retention;
12      ▸ notes that unreserved lands managed by the federal government are located near existing
13  communities and infrastructure;
14      ▸ recognizes that limited and targeted disposition of unreserved lands may support
15  moderate income housing needs;
16      ▸ affirms that any land disposition should preserve the public interest and responsible land
17  stewardship;
18      ▸ urges Congress to allow limited use of unreserved lands near existing communities and
19  infrastructure for moderate income housing; and
20      ▸ encourages Congress to support land transfers or exchanges in line with responsible
21  stewardship.
22  Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23      None
24  Other Special Clauses:
25      None
26
27  Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
 H.C.R. 14  Enrolled Copy
28WHEREAS, the state of Utah continues to experience significant population and economic
29   growth, which has intensified housing supply challenges and increased costs for
30   moderate-income households across the state;
31WHEREAS, housing affordability impacts communities statewide and has implications for
32   workforce availability, economic stability, and the ability of families to remain in the
33   communities where they live and work;
34WHEREAS, the state contains many federally managed lands, some of which are classified
35   as unreserved land, located within or immediately adjacent to existing municipal boundaries,
36   including near established infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer, and power systems;
37WHEREAS, certain unreserved lands that lack a designated federal purpose may be
38   uniquely suited, due to the location of the land, for limited, targeted consideration to address
39   local housing needs without expanding development into remote or environmentally sensitive
40   areas;
41WHEREAS, strategic and narrowly tailored sales, transfers, or exchanges of unreserved
42   lands may provide an opportunity to support the development of moderate-income housing
43   while making efficient use of existing infrastructure and minimizing public costs; and
44WHEREAS, careful and targeted disposition of federally managed lands can support local
45   housing needs while preserving the broader public interest in responsible land stewardship:
46NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
47   Governor concurring therein, urges the United States Congress to consider authorizing limited
48   and targeted sales, transfers, or exchanges of unreserved lands managed by the federal
49   government for the purpose of facilitating moderate-income housing.
50BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge that
51   consideration be limited to unreserved lands located within or immediately adjacent to existing
52   municipal boundaries or population centers within county boundaries, where development of
53   moderate income housing can occur in a focused and efficient manner.
54BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the United
55   States Congress to allow flexibility in the form of land exchanges or transfers, where
56   appropriate, to facilitate moderate-income housing while maintaining responsible stewardship
57   of federally managed lands.
58BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the members of
59   Utah's congressional delegation.
                                                  -2-