1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "Federal designation" means the designation of a:

      1. (i) national monument;
      2. (ii) national conservation area;
      3. (iii) wilderness area or wilderness study area;
      4. (iv) area of critical environmental concern;
      5. (v) research natural area; or
      6. (vi) national recreation area.

   2. (b)

      1. (i) "Governmental entity" means:

         1. (A) a state-funded institution of higher education or public education;
         2. (B) a political subdivision of the state;
         3. (C) an office, agency, board, bureau, committee, department, advisory board, or commission that the government funds or establishes to carry out the public's business, regardless of whether the office, agency board, bureau, committee, department, advisory board, or commission is composed entirely of public officials or employees;
         4. (D) an interlocal entity as defined in Section 11-13-103 or a joint or cooperative undertaking as defined in Section 11-13-103;
         5. (E) a governmental nonprofit corporation as defined in Section 11-13a-102; or
         6. (F) an association as defined in Section 53G-7-1101.

      2. (ii) "Governmental entity" does not mean:

         1. (A) the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration created in Section 53C-1-201;
         2. (B) the School and Institutional Trust Lands Board of Trustees created in Section 53C-1-202;
         3. (C) the Office of the Governor;
         4. (D) the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget created in Section 63J-4-201;
         5. (E) the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office created in Section 63L-11-201;
         6. (F) the Office of Energy Development created in Section 79-6-401; or
         7. (G) the Governor's Office of Economic Development created in Section 63N-1a-301.

2. (2)

   1. (a) A governmental entity, or a person a governmental entity employs and designates as a representative, may investigate the possibility of a federal designation within the state.

   2. (b) A governmental entity that intends to advocate for a federal designation within the state shall:

      1. (i) notify the chairs of the following committees before the introduction of federal legislation:

         1. (A) the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee, if constituted, and the Federalism Commission; or
         2. (B) if the notice is given during a General Session, the House and Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Standing Committees; and
      2. (ii) upon request of the chairs, meet with the relevant committee to review the proposal.

3. (3) This section does not apply to a political subdivision supporting a federal designation if the federal designation:

   1. (a) applies to 5,000 acres or less; and
   2. (b) has an economical or historical benefit to the political subdivision.

Amended by Chapter 343, 2026 General Session