HB 2769
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
House: LARA DP 9-0-0-0
HB 2769: state land transfer; Bullhead City
Sponsor: Representative Biasiucci, LD 30
Caucus & COW
Overview
Transfers about 6.67 acres of state sovereign land from the State Land Department to
Bullhead City.
History
State sovereign land is land owned by the State that is separate and distinct from the trust
lands granted to the State at statehood. For that reason, the trust obligations contained in
the Enabling Act and the Constitution of Arizona are not binding on how state sovereign
lands are managed. However, the State Land Department is still responsible for
administering these lands (A.R.S. §§ 37-101 and 37-102).
Most state sovereign lands are located on the bed of the Colorado River and are tied to the
fact that this river was navigable at the time Arizona became a state. These lands are
managed under the public trust doctrine, which means that they can only be used for a public
purpose. Additionally, state sovereign lands cannot be sold or leased, but may be transferred
to other political subdivisions for public use with legislative authorization. The Legislature
has previously considered and approved some transfers of these lands to state agencies,
counties and municipalities. For example:
1) Laws 1988, Chapter 75 transferred state sovereign land to the Arizona Game and Fish
Department for wildlife and public recreation purposes;
2) Laws 1990, Chapter 104 transferred state sovereign land to Mohave County for public
park and recreation purposes;
3) Laws 2005, Chapter 99 transferred about 28.6 acres of state sovereign land to the
Arizona Game and Fish Department to be managed in consultation with the Maricopa
County Flood Control District, the Town of Buckeye, and the City of Goodyear;
4) HB2728 (2006) authorized the State Land Commissioner to sell or convey over 5 acres
of state sovereign land to a nonprofit cemetery in Skull Valley if certain terms and
conditions were met. This bill was held in the Senate;
5) Laws 2019, Chapter 146 transferred over 12 acres of state sovereign land to Bullhead
City for public recreation and access to the Colorado River; and
6) Laws 2023, Chapter 63 transfers about 9.95 acres of state sovereign land from the
State Land Department to Bullhead City.
Provisions
1. Transfers about 6.67 acres of state sovereign land from the State Land Department to
Bullhead City. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2769
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2. Directs the State Land Commissioner to deliver a signed and recorded deed or patent to
Bullhead City within 10 days of this Act's effective date. (Sec. 1)
3. Requires Bullhead City to manage the transferred land for park and public recreation
purposes and forbids the land from being sold, exchanged or bartered. (Sec. 1)