The Arizona State Land Department will undergo a shortened four-year continuation period, rather than the standard eight years, following a decision by the Joint Legislative Committee. The committee cited longstanding operational problems and a poor performance audit as reasons for requiring significant internal reforms before any longer renewal is considered.
During the hearing, industry representatives expressed concern over delays and lack of transparency in the department’s processes. They said these issues have led to backlogs in applications and uncertainty for those relying on state trust land for economic activities such as housing development and mining.
“Land is the greatest scarcity my industry faces today,” said Spencer Camps of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. “The more units we can put into production and get over this land scarcity issue, the better off we’ll be.”
“I can’t overstate that this sunset review represents a significant opportunity and benefit for the state of Arizona,” said Steve Trussell of the Arizona Mining Association. “We are simply looking for clarity and certainty for the industry.”
Patrick Bray of the Arizona Farm & Ranch Group said, “The Land Department has made a political decision to take land out of production.”
Committee members highlighted failures by the agency to comply with statutory requirements, including not adopting mandated authorization timelines or developing five-year land disposition plans. These lapses were described as undermining public trust in how state trust lands are managed.
“The Department has had issues for a long time,” said Representative Gail Griffin, Chair of the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee and Co-Chair of the Joint Committee of Reference. “But they’ve gotten worse under the current administration. Licensing timeframes, five-year disposition plans, and written policies and procedures are essential to upholding the best interests of the trust. These were the top issues. The Commissioner acknowledged these issues during her confirmation hearing and committed to fixing them, but they haven’t been fixed. The captain isn’t steering the ship.”
“I see an agency that needs significant reforms,” said Representative Chris Lopez, Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee. “I think the lack of licensing timeframes is violating applicants’ due process rights. I think the Department’s decision to hold applications permanently in abeyance, so it can avoid appeals, is unlawful, serving functionally as a denial without a written decision. And I think the criteria the Department utilizes to determine which applications move forward are entirely subjective. At a time when transparency is key, I’m surprised the agency hasn’t already been sued.”
The committee recommended that within two years, the department must report back with progress updates and further recommendations.
Other directives include adopting all 51 recommendations from a recent Auditor General report; launching new investigations into vacant land practices; improving transparency around sales and application procedures; setting clear licensing timeframes; creating comprehensive planning documents; appointing urban land use planning committees; clarifying reimbursement processes; updating lease language regarding biosolids uses; working with industry stakeholders on mineral leasing issues; using third-party contractors to increase efficiency; and acting according to new legislative oversight measures.
Carbone was elected as a Republican representative in 2023 for Arizona’s 25th House District after Michelle Udall.
