Congress Considering Two Major Proposals

There are two major proposals in Congress for turning federal land over to the states or private corporations and individuals.

Senate Bill 1151:

A national commission selects federal lands to sell or give to states.

The commission is composed of nine people, who are appointed for life.

The group has two years to make its decisions. The president has six months to suggest changes.

The congressional committee that receives the list has 20 days to act. Once a bill is introduced, it cannot be delayed or amended.

The commission also is to consider cutting federal land management costs by 50 percent.

Senate Bill 1031/House Bill 2032:

Gives states two years to decide if they want the Bureau of Land Management lands and associated mineral rights within their borders.

States must take all the land or none of it.

The transfer will take place in 10 years.

As it is written, there is nothing to prohibit states from selling the land to private buyers.

, DataTimes