SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah lawmakers are continuing to challenge federal authority over the management of public lands within the state.
Republican Rep. Ken Sumsion of American Fork says a bill that could have a committee hearing this week would allow counties and cities to condemn federal lands through eminent domain.
Sumsion says the state already has that power but local governments are better positioned to use it.
Rep. Ken Ivory of West Jordan says he plans to sponsor a bill setting a deadline of 2014 for the transfer of federal lands to the state.
Ivory says his goal is to either force the federal government to work with state officials or litigate the issue.
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance associate director Heidi McIntosh says the proposals are pointless political statements that are unconstitutional.
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