An amendment has been filed by Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., to reverse a provision in the GOP House reconciliation bill proposed by Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev. that would permit the sale of public land in Nevada.
Amodei’s amendment to the budget package was a late addition that granted permission to sell off more than 93,000 acres of public land. Notably, the bill would permit 65,129 acres in Clark County and 15,860 acres in Lyon County. (NVBEX; May 14)
Amodei claimed the amendment would prioritize affordable housing and economic development. Democrats have been unsupportive of the move, as the revenue generated from the land sales would go to the federal government and not the state.
Titus argued a plan should be agreed upon between the two parties to keep the money in the state to support education and conservation efforts. Her amendment removes the Clark County portion of the reconciliation bill, but land from Washoe and Lyon counties would still be eligible for sale.
Titus pointed to a lack of provisions delegating lands for conservation and claimed selling the land would result in expensive infrastructure investments, as the proposed land is far from urban areas. She said Nevada taxpayers are to fund the brunt of these developments and that they would further strain the state’s water supply.
Amodei argued the bill would create growth in Clark County and would offer more areas to conduct business. He went on to say any land sales in Clark County are to be subject to review by the National Environmental Policy Act,as well as local planning and zoning commissions. Future projects are also to consider the water supply.
The House Rules Committee considered the amendment during its consideration of the budget on Wednesday at one in the morning. (Source)
