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HJ 24

Dillon Rule; joint subcommittee to study.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dan Helmer

HJ 24 expressed Utah's formal support for its land lawsuit against the U.S.; a symbolic, non-binding resolution that died in 2025 and would only guide actions if enacted.

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Bill Summary · HJ 24

Summary — HJ 24 (2025): Joint resolution supporting Utah in their land lawsuit against the United States

Bill type: Joint House Resolution
Bill number: HJ 24
Title: Joint house resolution supporting Utah in their land lawsuit against the United States
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Primary sponsor: Rep. Tom Millett
Subject areas: Courts; Federal government
Status: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025)
Replaces / related: LC 2912

Purpose

Based on the bill title and classification, HJ 24 is a non‑statutory legislative resolution expressing the Utah Legislature’s formal support for the State of Utah in litigation brought against the United States concerning land issues. The resolution’s intent was to convey the legislature’s position and possibly urge or authorize certain state actions in connection with that lawsuit.

Key provisions (based on available information and typical content of similar resolutions)

The actual text is not included in the docket excerpts provided. Common elements in resolutions of this type — which HJ 24 may have contained — include:
- A formal statement of support for Utah’s legal claims against the federal government regarding public land ownership, management, or related federal actions.
- Findings or legislative declarations summarizing the legislature’s view of the legal and policy issues at stake.
- A request or direction to executive branch officials (for example, the Attorney General) to pursue, join, or assist in litigation or to file amicus briefs.
- A request that federal or other officials take specific actions, or that Congress consider legislative remedies.
Note: Because the text is not available here, these are typical provisions and may not reflect HJ 24’s exact language.

Who would be affected

  • State officials (Governor’s office, Attorney General) if the resolution requested or authorized executive‑branch legal action or support.
  • Federal agencies and the federal government as the litigation counterpart.
  • Local governments, private landowners, grazing or mineral permit holders, tribes, recreationists, and resource‑dependent industries — primarily through the litigation’s potential policy and management consequences.
  • Courts: the resolution itself does not compel judicial action, but supports the state’s litigation posture.

Legislative history & timeline

  • 2024-12-17: Drafter assigned (LC)
  • Jan–Mar 2025: Drafting and Assembly steps; delivered to requester (LC)
  • 2025-01-23: Referred to Joint Comm. on Government Administration and Elections
  • 2025-03-18 to 03-29: Introduced in House, referred to Energy, Technology and Federal Relations; hearing (Mar 24); committee executive action and committee report — bill passed out of committee
  • 2025-04-01: Scheduled for 2nd Reading; 2nd Reading not passed
  • 2025-04-07: Missed deadline for revenue bill transmittal (administrative note)
  • 2025-05-20: Died in Process

Status and practical effect

HJ 24 died in the legislative process and therefore was not adopted. As introduced, a joint resolution of this type would be largely symbolic or declarative — it does not itself change property law or federal land status. Its practical effects, if passed, would depend on whether it directed or authorized specific executive actions (e.g., funding or legal representation) and on subsequent actions by the Attorney General, Governor, or Congress.

For the exact language and any binding directives, consult the bill’s final draft (LC 2912 text/replacement) or contact the sponsor’s office or the legislative reference center.

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

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