Utah House Bill HB0402

Utah 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/24
• Refer: 2/9/24
• Report Pass: 2/13/24
• Engrossed: 2/21/24
• Refer: 2/22/24
• Report Pass: 2/26/24
• Failed: 3/1/24

Caption

State Campgrounds Amendments

Impact

This bill is significant as it provides a structured pathway for introducing new recreational areas, which could enhance outdoor tourism and community engagement in state land management. It also places emphasis on extracting local inputs, indicating a balanced approach to land management that considers both state-level planning and local stakeholder interests. By facilitating better governance, the bill seeks to streamline the process of creating recreational facilities that can serve the public and support environmental stewardship.

Voting

The voting history indicates a favorable reception for HB0402, with the Senate committee offering a favorable recommendation with unanimous support. This suggests a degree of bipartisan consensus on the need for expanding state campground facilities and enhancing recreational opportunities in Utah.

Summary

House Bill 0402, the 'State Campgrounds Amendments', aims to establish a formal process for creating state campgrounds in Utah. The bill defines key terms such as 'state campground' and outlines the roles of various entities involved in the campground creation process. It establishes that state campgrounds will be located on state land and defines the responsibilities of the division responsible for evaluating applications for new campgrounds and managing existing ones. The legislation mandates that the evaluation of any proposed campground must be submitted to the relevant local government bodies for review.

Contention

Notably, the proposed bill could lead to discussions around state versus local control over land use. Some stakeholders may express concerns regarding the ability of local governments to oppose the creation of campgrounds within their jurisdictions, potentially leading to conflicts with local land use priorities. Additionally, the legislation allows for negotiations for acquiring federal land, which may raise issues surrounding federal relations and the management of public lands.