Heidi Buzzetti, vice president of the Montana State University Wilderness Association, said that she would not remind the committee of the intrinsic and practical values of public lands because “it hasn’t worked.”

Buzzetti continued, saying that young people recognize the value of public lands, and “we will vote to ensure we always have access to them.”

Montana does not want to see lost economic opportunities, Court said in closing on the resolution. She offered personal accounts of herself and her family enjoying public lands and pointed to land transfer opposition from Montana’s congressional delegation, saying the Legislature should make it clear they stand with them.

No one testified against the resolution and the committee asked no questions.

During executive action, some Republicans on the committee indicated they would be inclined to support the measure if language was struck essentially making the resolution only opposed to selling federal lands. Some of those on the fence indicated concern that smaller land transfers that often consolidate ownership would not be protected by the resolution.

Amendments to strike “convey” and “take over” and to alter language in the resolution to oppose “transfer” and “sell off” of federal lands failed.

The original resolution failed on a vote of 7-8, with Republican Rep. Kelly Flynn of Townsend and all of the Democrats on the committee voting in favor. The committee then voted along party lines to table the measure.

Reporter Tom Kuglin can be reached at 447-4076 @IR_TomKuglin

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