Oregon bill bars public bodies from helping privatize federal lands

By Tracy Loew
Statesman Journal
February 13, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West

Oregon legislators are considering a bill that would prohibit public bodies from spending resources to help sell or transfer federal public lands to private interests. …For years, some congressional leaders have sought to privatize federal public lands. The effort has gotten a boost under the Trump administration. …Significant areas in Oregon, especially the areas around Mount Hood, have been targeted for privatization. ….Senate Bill 1590 prohibits public bodies from using state or local funds, data, technology, equipment, personnel or other resources to help sell or transfer certain federal lands to private parties. …The bill applies only to real property managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service or the National Park Service. …“It’s modeled after the sanctuary promise law that has long protected Oregonians from overbearing activity by the federal government,” said Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, the bill’s chief sponsor.

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