House Concurrent Memorial 2005 Summary

• Urges U.S. Congress and the President to transfer 30% of all federally controlled lands in Western states to those states by 2030 under the equal footing doctrine in the U.S. Constitution.

• Asserts that the federal government controls almost one-third of all U.S. land, with over 90% located in Western states, and that Arizona alone has 42% of its 113,417 square miles under federal ownership.

• Claims the federal government breached the promise made in congressional resolutions of 1780, the Land Ordinance of 1784, and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 to transfer public lands to states, and that permanent federal ownership was not unilaterally declared until the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

• Argues that federal land stewardship has been inefficient and economically damaging, while asserting that state ownership would be more efficient, accountable, and locally driven to improve public access, environmental health, and economic productivity.

• Directs Arizona's Secretary of State to transmit copies of the memorial to the U.S. President, congressional leadership, and all Arizona members of Congress.