House Bill 2210 Is Authored by Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Tucson

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, USA, April 1, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- For Immediate Release

Alan Olsen
Brooks Realty & Advisory Group
877.468.9802

Arizona Lawmakers Announce Bill Attacking Federal Ownership of Public Lands
House Bill 2210 Is Authored by Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Tucson

Scottsdale, AZ: A new legislative proposal known as House Bill 2210 would mandate a legal analysis of a case in Utah that challenges the federal government’s control of public lands. Rep. Mark Finchem of Tucson authored the bill with 30 of his colleagues. If the state’s attorney general believes that the case has merit, it would give Arizona the right to join Utah in filing a lawsuit against the federal government. The bill argues that the federal government mismanages public land, and that the state should have “equal footing” when it comes to the control and management of these lands.

Currently, the federal government controls just over 40 percent of the state of Arizona, including 18 national parks, six national forests, deserts, and military grounds. This amounts to roughly 30 million acres. The federal government spends an average of $80 million on fire prevention in the state and up to $200 million during a raging fire season. If Arizona were successful in suing the federal government, many of these costs would be transferred to the state. But critics and proponents of the bill argue that Arizona does not have the resources to properly care for these lands, which is leading many to believe that if the state’s legal challenge were successful, a large portion of the state’s public lands would be auctioned off. Arizona voters rejected a proposal that sought state control of public lands in 2012. According to the bill, the U.S. Constitution promises states an “equal footing” with regard to the management of public lands, stating that the federal government has the power to regulate the disposal of public lands, but not the legal authority to retain ownership indefinitely.

The issue of what to do with Arizona’s large share of public lands continues to be hotly contested among residents and business owners in the state. As a leading developer of ranchland properties throughout Arizona, Wyoming, and New Mexico, Brooks Realty & Advisory Group is responsible for reporting on these matters. If any changes are made to the ownership of the state’s public lands, it would have a major effect on land developers and the state’s recreational opportunities.

About Brooks Realty & Advisory Group: Beginning in 1969, Brooks Realty & Advisory Group has established itself as a leading developer and marketer of large ranchland properties across the western U.S. The Brooks Companies consist of several subsidiaries including Brooks Realty & Advisory Group, Brooks Realty & Advisory Group of Wyoming, Ben Brooks New Mexico, Ben Brooks & Associates and Brooks-Clark & Associates. Having sold and developed over a million acres, the company believes in helping Americans pursue their passion of owning an expansive piece of land in the Great American West. For more information, all interested parties can visit www.brooksranchland.com.

Alan Olsen
Brooks Ranch Land
877.468.9802
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