Public lands throughout the entire Intermountain West are estimated to have an economic value of $151 trillion dollars. The Commission was created as a result of H.B. 151 (2014) Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands with an on-going annual appropriation of $25,000. The purpose of the Commission is review and make recommendations on the transfer of federally controlled public lands to the state; study and evaluate the progress and recommendations of the public lands transfer study and economic analysis conducted by PLPCO; and coordinate with and report on all efforts concerning the transfer of federally controlled public lands to the state including convening working groups; prepare for potential litigation; prepare ongoing legal strategy for the transfer of public lands; recommend how money is used appropriated for the purpose of securing the transfer of public lands to the state; prepare an annual report, including any proposed legislation, and present the report to the NRAE Interim Committee before November 30, 2014, and every November 30 thereafter; and more. The Commission is co-chaired by Sen. David P. Hinkins and Rep. Keven J. Stratton.

In the 2015 General Session Rep. Stratton asked for an additional appropriation of $3,000,000 from either the General Fund, the Sovereign Lands Account of the combination of the two that would include $1,450,000 to provide counties with matching funds for bringing their county management plans up to current standards ($100,000 per county including the matching funds), $500,000 to PLPCO to merge these county plans into a state plan, and $50,000 for travel for Commission members. The remainder in the appropriation request would be for litigation expenses. Note: This request is addition to second 2015 GS appropriation request from Rep. Mike Noel for PLPCO's state roads litigation fund for the Constitutional Defense Council (CDC).