CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada Assembly committee has passed a measure that urges Congress to turn over millions of acres of federally managed land within the state's borders.
The Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee voted 6-4 Tuesday to approve SJR1. It already passed the Senate 11-10 on party lines.
The measure asks Congress to pass a bill transferring at least 7.2 million acres of federally managed land to the state of Nevada.
The resolution points out that federal agencies manage more than 80 percent of Nevada's land, and it argues that the federal ownership prevents economic development activities that might happen if the land is managed by the state.
Opponents say Nevada can't afford to manage the land, and are concerned state ownership would jeopardize public access to the lands.
