BILL NUMBER: S384
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public lands law, in relation to establishing a
right of first refusal in the state for federal public land to be trans-
ferred; and to amend the real property law, in relation to establishing
the manner in which documents regarding federal lands shall be recorded
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes a right of first refusal in the state for federal public
land to be transferred to private parties; prohibits the recording of
any deeds for lands that have been transferred out of federal ownership
to private ownership without giving the state the right of first
refusal.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the public lands law by implementing a new section
21-a policy to discourage conveyances that transfer ownership of federal
public lands in the state from the federal government. Provides the
Commissioner of General Services (OGS) the right of first refusal to the
conveyance or the right to arrange to transfer the federal public land
to another entity.
Section 2: Amends the real property law by adding a new section 291-k to
require a certificate of compliance from the Commissioner of OGS, titled
"Federal Public Land Deed of Conveyance."
Section 3: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The federal government owns approximately 640 million acres of land
across the United States, managed predominantly by four federal agen-
cies: the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the Fish and
Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service. Over the years, numer-
ous federal proposals have been introduced to facilitate the sale or
transfer of public lands to private entities. These lands, which provide
vital opportunities for activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, and
hunting, are a shared heritage belonging to all Americans and are
intended for public enjoyment and preservation.
To safeguard public access and ensure responsible stewardship, states
are proposed to be granted the right of first refusal in any federal
land transfers. This measure would enable states to prioritize keeping
these lands open for public use.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2018: S7869, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
2019: S1729, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
2020: S1630, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
2021: S1822, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
2022: S1822, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
2023: S2775, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
2024: S2775, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
Assembly
2017: A8797, Referred to Governmental Operations
2018: A8797, Referred to Governmental Operations
2019: No Assembly Same-As
2020: No Assembly Same-As
2021: A8250, Referred to Governmental Operations
2022: A8250, Referred to Governmental Operations
2023: A3472, Referred to Governmental Operations
2024: A3472, Referred to Governmental Operations
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one-hundred-twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.