HB2557 Summary

• Establishes the Arizona Department of Public Land Management to manage public lands through agreements with the U.S. Department of Interior or other federal agencies, with a director appointed by the governor.

• Authorizes the department to manage public lands for domestic livestock grazing, fish and wildlife, mineral exploration, rights-of-way, outdoor recreation, timber production, and wilderness conservation.

• Creates the Public Land Management Fund from fees and permits related to public land uses, continuously appropriated for department operations.

• Establishes a Joint Legislative Committee on Public Land Management with 8 members (3 senators, 5 representatives) to review public land management and terminate July 1, 2027.

• Makes the department and related statutes conditional on the governor executing an agreement with federal agencies by December 31, 2023, with the department itself terminating July 1, 2026.