Bill Text: SC H3552 | 2013-2014 | 120th General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Western States
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-27 - Adopted [H3552 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2013-H3552-Comm_Sub.html
COMMITTEE REPORT
February 21, 2013
H. 3552
S. Printed 2/21/13--H.
Read the first time February 19, 2013.
To whom was referred a House Resolution (H. 3552) to express support to the western states of the United States of America and the federal transfer of public lands to the western states, and to urge the United States Congress, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
LISTON D. BARFIELD for Committee.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS SUPPORT TO THE WESTERN STATES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE FEDERAL TRANSFER OF PUBLIC LANDS TO THE WESTERN STATES, AND TO URGE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENGAGE IN GOOD FAITH COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION TO COORDINATE THE TRANSFER OF TITLE TO THE WESTERN STATES.
Whereas, under Article IV, Section 3, of the United States Constitution, "The congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States"; and
Whereas, the Constitutional Convention intended this provision of the Constitution to maintain the status quo that had been established to transfer federal territorial lands only to create new states with the same rights of sovereignty, freedom, and independence as the original states; and
Whereas, under these express terms of trust, over time the states claiming federal territorial land ceded their western land to the confederated Union to allow the confederated government to dispose of the lands only to create new states and apply the net proceeds of any sales of the lands only to pay down the public debt; and
Whereas, the United States Constitution contains no expression of intent to authorize the federal government to indefinitely exercise control over western public lands beyond the duty to manage the lands pending the disposal of the lands to create new states, and therefore the lands should be returned to the western states; and
Whereas, in order to promote legitimate federal interests the western states should upon transfer of the public lands directly to the state where the public land is located agree to affirmatively cede lands for the national park system, the national wilderness preservation system, and lands reserved for federal military use, military parks, and military reservations to the federal government under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, of the United States Constitution, on condition that the lands permanently remain national park lands, and that they not be sold, transferred, left in substantial disrepair, or conveyed to any party other than to the state where the land is located; and
Whereas, limiting the ability of western states to access and utilize the public lands' natural resources within their borders is having a negative impact upon the economy of the western states and therefore the economy of the entire United States; and
Whereas, in order to provide a fair, just, and equitable remedy for the federal government's past and continuing breaches of its solemn promises to the western states, the South Carolina House of Representatives:
(1) calls on the federal government to transfer title to all federal public lands within the western states to the state where the land is located;
(2) urges the United States Congress to engage in good faith communication, cooperation, and consultation with the western states to coordinate the transfer of the public lands, and supports the western states in these efforts;
(3) calls upon the western states to agree, upon transfer of the public lands, to affirmatively cede to the federal government all lands currently designated as part of the National Park System under 16 U.S.C. Section 1a-1, the National Wilderness Preservation System under 16 U.S.C. Section 1131, or for military use, military parks, or military reservations;
(4) urges that if any public land in the western states be sold to private owners, the net proceeds be paid to the Bureau of the Public Debt to pay down the federal debt; and
(5) calls on all other states of the United States to pass a similar resolution in support of the transfer of the federal public lands to the western states. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express support to the western states of the United States of America and the federal transfer of public lands to the western states, and urges the United States Congress to engage in good faith communication and cooperation to coordinate the transfer of title to the western states.
Be it further resolved that upon its adoption copies of this resolution be fowarded to the United States Department of the Interior, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, and the Governors, Senate Presidents, and Speakers of the House of Representatives of the 49 other states.
