Indian artifacts and fossils found on state lands will not be sold but will be curated and displayed at various Utah museums, according to a bill passed unanimously by the Senate Monday.
The Division of State Lands and the State Land Board had investigated the possibility of selling cultural materials from state lands as a way of raising money for public education. The possibility that artifacts and fossils would be sold promoted a national condemnation.Under the provisions of SB128, all specimens found on state lands would be considered "scientific and educational assets" of the school trust and therefore could not be sold. The bill also requires that specimens be recovered and scientific information be gathered before state lands are sold, traded or developed.
Any human remains found on state lands would remain the property of the Indians who are the closest lineal descendants.