Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 34 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Eliason, Steve

Final action

Governor Signed 3/24/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• establishes the procedure for designating a state campground;
• addresses management of state campgrounds; and
• authorizes rulemaking by the Division of State Parks to:
• establish the process for completing and submitting an application; and
• administer management of a state campground.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

6
79-4-1301
79-4-1302
79-4-1303
79-4-1304
1
State Campgrounds Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Steve Eliason
Senate Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the designation of state campgrounds.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
establishes the procedure for designating a state campground;
addresses management of state campgrounds; and
authorizes rulemaking by the Division of State Parks to:
establish the process for completing and submitting an application; and
administer management of a state campground.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
79-4-1301
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
79-4-1302
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
79-4-1303
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
79-4-1304
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
79-4-1301
 is enacted to read:
13. State Campgrounds
79-4-1301
. Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1)
"Application" means a written application that a person submits to the division to 
nominate a parcel of state land or an existing campground located on state land for 
designation as a state campground.
(2)
(a)
"Campground" means real property made available to individuals for camping, 
whether camping by tent, trailer, camper, cabin, recreational vehicle, or similar 
equipment.
(b)
"Campground" includes the outdoor recreational infrastructure, as that term is 
defined in Section 
51-9-901
, located on the real property.
(3)
"Committee" means:
(a)
the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee if the 
Legislature is not in session; or
(b)
the House or Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Standing 
Committee if the Legislature is in session.
(4)
"State campground" means a campground:
(a)
located on state land;
(b)
confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the 
campground; and
(c)
designated in accordance with this part.
(5)
"State land" means land owned or managed by the state.
Section 2, Section 
79-4-1302
 is enacted to read:
79-4-1302
. Application for state campground -- Rulemaking -- Division duties -- 
Committee duties.
(1)
The division may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah 
Administrative Rulemaking Act:
(a)
to establish the process for the submission of an application; and
(b)
for the administration of a state campground, subject to valid existing rights and 
Section 
79-4-1304
.
(2)
When the division receives a completed application, the division shall:
(a)
evaluate the application;
(b)
submit the completed application and the results of the division's evaluation 
described in Subsection 
(2)(a)
 to the following entities or individuals for review, as 
applicable:
(i)
the legislative body of a county that contains some portion of the proposed state 
campground within the county's geographic borders;
(ii)
the legislative body of a municipality that contains some portion of the proposed 
state campground within the municipality's geographic borders;
(iii)
each legislator whose legislative district is located within the geographic borders 
of the proposed state campground; and
(iv)
a state agency if the proposed state campground is located within the 
jurisdictional boundaries of the state agency; and
(c)
provide a written report to a committee that includes:
(i)
the results of the division's evaluation described in Subsection 
(2)(a)
; and
(ii)
any resolution or comment the division received from an entity or individual 
described in Subsection 
(2)(b)
.
(3)
The division may:
(a)
evaluate private and federal land with the potential to be purchased by, transferred to, 
or leased to the state for potential designation as a state campground; and
(b)
enter into negotiations with the relevant federal agency or private entity to pursue the 
transfer, sale, or lease of private or federal land for the proposed state campground, as 
appropriations allow.
(4)
Except as provided in Subsection 
(5)
, after reviewing a report described in Subsection 
(2)(c)
, a committee may:
(a)
recommend that the Legislature and governor approve the proposed state 
campground in accordance with Section 
79-4-1303
; or
(b)
return the report to the division for further study and evaluation.
(5)
A committee may not recommend a proposed state campground to the Legislature if:
(a)
a county or municipality described in Subsection 
(2)(b)(i)
 or (ii) adopts a resolution 
opposing the proposed state campground; or
(b)
designating the state campground may cause a state agency to breach a fiduciary, 
contractual, or other legal obligation governing management or use of land that is 
included within the geographic borders of the proposed state campground.
Section 3, Section 
79-4-1303
 is enacted to read:
79-4-1303
. Designation.
(1)
The Legislature and the governor shall designate a state campground through concurrent 
resolution.
(2)
Notwithstanding the requirements described in Section 
79-4-1302
, the Legislature and 
governor may act under this section to designate a state campground.
Section 4, Section 
79-4-1304
 is enacted to read:
79-4-1304
. Management.
(1)
(a)
Subject to Subsection 
(2)
, the division is responsible for the management of a 
state campground.
(b)
The division may contract with another agency or entity for management services 
related to the management of a state campground.
(2)
Upon 
Title 63L, Chapter 8, Utah Public Land Management Act
, taking effect as 
described in Section 
63L-8-602
, the government entity responsible for management of 
the public lands is responsible for the management of a state campground.
Section 5. 
Effective date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
3-6-25 11:00 AM