Lawmakers press State Land Department on multi‑year application backlog and applicant notifications

Committee members asked for specifics about applications that had sat dormant for three or more years and whether applicants would have a named contact when they receive deficiency notices. Robin Seyhead said the department has prepared template letters and will include clear contact information so applicants know where to send missing materials.

"We are making changes to our Salesforce dashboard to track, like I said earlier, these leases that are expiring, so we don't, end up in the same situation," Seyhead said. She described process changes to notify applicants when files are incomplete and said the department is also reviewing each application to determine whether it should move forward, be withdrawn, or be denied. Members requested copies of the template letters and breakdowns (new vs. renewal applications); Seyhead agreed to provide those documents in writing.