This bill proposes significant changes to the current statutes governing state land exchanges in Arizona. Under the existing law, state land can only be exchanged for public land, but the new bill would allow exchanges for any other type of land in Arizona. Additionally, the approval process for these exchanges would shift from requiring a referendum by the qualified electors of Arizona to needing approval from the Legislature and the Governor through a joint resolution. This change aims to streamline the process and reduce the reliance on public voting for land exchanges.

Furthermore, the bill includes various technical amendments and clarifications, such as the inclusion of private landowners in the exchange process and the requirement for the Arizona State Land Department to adopt rules governing these exchanges. It also stipulates that the enactment of this legislation is contingent upon the voter approval of Senate Concurrent Resolution 1006, which seeks to amend the Arizona Constitution regarding state trust land. Overall, if passed, this bill would modernize the land exchange process and enhance the state's ability to manage its land resources effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 37-604
Senate Engrossed Version: 37-604