Earlier this week, Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT) and Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced the Community Law Enforcement Authority Restoration Act of 2025, also known as the CLEAR Act. The bill aims to prevent a U.S. Forest Service rule finalized at the end of the Biden Administration from allowing federal agencies to enforce certain state and local criminal laws.
The Forest Service’s “Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions” rule would permit federal land management agencies to take on roles traditionally handled by local law enforcement. The CLEAR Act seeks to stop the Forest Service from administering or enforcing this rule.
“In Utah, local law enforcement knows their communities best,” said Congresswoman Maloy. “Our sheriffs are accountable to the people they serve. The CLEAR Act keeps law enforcement authority where it belongs and prevents unnecessary federal overreach into Utah’s rural counties.”
Utah has large areas of land managed by federal agencies, making clear jurisdiction important for safety and governance. While local sheriffs have worked with federal authorities in the past, there are concerns that this new rule could create confusion over who is responsible for enforcing laws.
Tracy Glover, Sheriff of Kane County, Utah, stated: “This effort, implemented by the U.S. Forest Service, has been a long-standing issue of contention. While we seek strong working relationships with federal agencies, we cannot, and will not, abdicate our authority and jurisdiction to the detriment of the people we serve and the Office of Sheriff.”
The Western States Sheriffs’ Association supports the bill. This group represents more than 1,200 sheriffs across western states and has opposed the Forest Service rule since its introduction.
