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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

House OKs interstate compact on federal lands transfer on divided vote

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho would have the ability to enter into an interstate compact to pursue transferring control of federal lands under a proposal making its way through the Statehouse. House lawmakers voted 45-23 on Friday to approve setting up the compact, facing from opposition from both Republicans and Democrats worried of the bill's unintended consequences; it's HB 265a. Idaho lawmakers have advocated taking control of federal lands for years. However, Republican leaders say they are no longer demanding the federal government give up its public land. Instead, lawmakers say they want to pursue a variety of collaborative approaches. The compact option is one of four proposals being considered this legislative session. Utah was the first state to approve entering into such a contract, and a similar bill is being considered by Arizona lawmakers.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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