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HCM 2012

antiquities act; exception

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by Leo Biasiucci and 4 co-sponsors

Arizona asks Congress to exempt the state from using the Antiquities Act to create or expand national monuments without explicit authorization; a non-binding memorial.

Transmit to Secretary of State
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Bill Summary · HCM 2012

Summary — HCM 2012 (Antiquities Act; exemption)

Bill type: House Concurrent Memorial (HCM 2012)
Introduced: February 12, 2025
Sponsors: Representatives Griffin; Biasiucci; Diaz; Keshel; Peña
Status: Passed both chambers; transmitted to Arizona Secretary of State (filed April 16, 2025)

Purpose

HCM 2012 urges the U.S. Congress to enact legislation exempting the State of Arizona from further establishment or extension of national parks or monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906 unless Congress provides express authorization. The memorial requests Congress to adopt an exemption similar to one Congress granted Wyoming in 1950.

Key provisions

  • Formal request (non‑binding) from the Arizona Legislature to the U.S. Congress to:
    • Enact legislation that would exempt Arizona from the Antiquities Act’s use to establish or extend national lands without explicit congressional authorization.
  • Direction to the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of the memorial to:
    • The President of the United States
    • Each U.S. Representative and Senator from Arizona

Note: As a concurrent memorial, HCM 2012 does not itself change federal law or land status; it expresses the Arizona Legislature’s official position and asks Congress to act.

Background and rationale (as stated in the memorial)

  • The memorial cites historical and contemporary uses of the Antiquities Act, noting 18 national monuments have been designated in Arizona since 1906, totaling about 3.7 million acres.
  • It references the 1943 Jackson Hole designation (over 221,000 acres) and Congress’s subsequent 1950 exemption for Wyoming as a model.
  • The memorial highlights concerns that large monument designations (it cites the proposed Great Bend of the Gila at an estimated 80,000–400,000 acres) reduce land available for state, local, tribal and private uses and can affect recreation access, water-resource development, wildlife management, habitat work and economic activity.

Who would be affected

  • If Congress were to adopt the requested exemption, future unilateral presidential monument proclamations under the Antiquities Act would be precluded in Arizona unless Congress specifically authorized them. That would affect:
    • Federal land management authorities (e.g., BLM, NPS, USFS)
    • State and local governments
    • Tribal nations with interests in Arizona lands
    • Private landowners, recreation users, resource and economic sectors cited in the memorial

Procedural timeline (Arizona Legislature)

  • House first reading: 2025-02-12
  • House passed: 2025-03-10
  • Senate first reading: 2025-03-17
  • Senate passed: 2025-04-16
  • Filed in Secretary of State’s office: 2025-04-16

Next steps / Effect

HCM 2012 requests federal legislation; its practical effect depends entirely on action by the U.S. Congress (and ultimately the President). The memorial documents Arizona’s position and urges federal lawmakers to consider and pursue statutory exemption for the state from the Antiquities Act.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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