WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HJM 14

Requesting the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service to relinquish control of as much land in this state as possible to the State of Oregon.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Vikki Breese Iverson and 3 co-sponsors

Oregon requests federal transfer of BLM and Forest Service lands to state control, potentially redirecting millions of acres toward state management and resource policies.

In committee upon adjournment.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJM 14

Legislative bill overview

HJM 14 is a joint memorial requesting that the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service transfer as much federally-managed land as possible within Oregon to state control. The bill does not directly transfer land but rather formally asks the federal government to consider such transfers. This represents a request for a significant shift in public land management authority from federal to state jurisdiction.

Why is this important

Approximately 53% of Oregon's total land area is federally managed, making this request potentially consequential for land use policy, natural resource management, and state revenue. The outcome would affect decisions on logging, grazing, recreation, conservation, and mineral extraction across millions of acres. It also reflects broader political debates about federalism and who should control natural resources.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal authority limitations: Congress, not the BLM or Forest Service alone, has authority to transfer federal lands, making this request potentially unactionable by the agencies named
  • Conservation vs. development trade-offs: Federal lands often have stricter environmental protections; state control could enable increased resource extraction and commercial use
  • Fiscal sustainability: States typically lack resources to manage such vast territories for wildfire prevention, habitat restoration, and infrastructure costs currently borne federally
  • Tribal sovereignty concerns: Many federal lands overlap with tribal treaty rights and co-management agreements that could be affected by state takeover

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

Sign in to ask a question.