La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1043
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-68
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-11: By Senator Lee from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 119-109.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T17:08:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled the "La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act," aims to transfer approximately 3,400 acres of federal land in Arizona from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to La Paz County. The transfer supports local solar energy development and job creation by allowing the county to manage and potentially develop the land, while ensuring protections for cultural and environmental resources.
Key Provisions
- Land Conveyance: The Secretary of the Interior must convey the specified federal land to La Paz County as soon as practicable after the county requests it. This bypasses certain federal planning requirements under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), but follows other applicable laws.
- Restrictions and Exclusions: The transfer is subject to existing legal rights (e.g., leases or permits) and any additional terms the Secretary deems necessary. Land with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational value must be excluded from the transfer.
- Payment Requirements: The county must pay the fair market value of the land, determined through an independent appraisal following uniform federal standards for land acquisitions and professional appraisal practices.
- Tribal Cultural Protections: The county, and any future owners, must make good-faith efforts to avoid disturbing Native American artifacts, minimize impacts if disturbances occur, coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes' Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify significant items, and allow tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts near their discovery site.
- Map and Adjustments: The land is defined by a specific BLM map (dated June 29, 2023), available for public inspection. Minor boundary changes or corrections to the map, acreage, or descriptions can be made by mutual agreement between the Secretary and the county.
- Land Withdrawal: The federal land is withdrawn from all U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws, preventing new extraction activities.
- Costs and Proceeds: The county covers all conveyance-related costs, including surveys, appraisals, and administrative fees, plus the full appraised value. Proceeds from the sale go into the Federal Land Disposal Account and are used under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act to acquire or manage other federal lands.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Bypassing FLPMA Planning: This act waives sections 202 and 203 of FLPMA, which normally require extensive land use planning and environmental reviews before federal land transfers. This streamlines the process for this specific conveyance.
- Mineral Withdrawal: It introduces a permanent withdrawal of the land from mining and mineral leasing laws, altering how such public lands are typically available for resource extraction.
- Proceeds Allocation: Reinforces the use of sale proceeds under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act, directing funds toward land acquisition or management rather than general treasury use.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The BLM and Department of the Interior will lose control over the 3,400 acres, reducing their management footprint in Arizona. Proceeds could fund other land acquisitions, potentially benefiting broader federal conservation efforts.
- Citizens and Local Economy: La Paz County residents may see job growth and economic benefits from solar energy projects on the land, promoting renewable energy development in a rural area. However, the county bears upfront costs, which could strain local budgets.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic land transfer with no foreign elements mentioned.
- Environment and Tribes: Exclusions for sensitive areas protect wildlife and recreation, while artifact protections safeguard tribal heritage, potentially reducing conflicts over cultural sites.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- La Paz County, Arizona: Primary beneficiary, gaining land for economic development but responsible for payments and cultural protections.
- Bureau of Land Management and Secretary of the Interior: Lose land management authority and must handle the conveyance process.
- Colorado River Indian Tribes: Benefit from mandated consultations and artifact protections to preserve cultural resources.
- Local Residents and Businesses: Potential gains from solar jobs and energy projects; environmental groups may monitor for conservation compliance.
- Federal Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through the use of sale proceeds for other public lands.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Ensures compliance with federal appraisal standards to prevent undervaluation disputes. The tribal protections align with laws like the National Historic Preservation Act, emphasizing consultation with Native American groups. The withdrawal from mining laws could face challenges from industry if seen as limiting economic opportunities.
- Constitutional Implications: None apparent; the act involves congressional authority over federal lands under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), without infringing on states' rights or due process.
- Political Implications: Supports Republican-led priorities in the 119th Congress for local control of federal lands and renewable energy in Western states, potentially boosting bipartisan appeal in energy policy. It highlights tensions between development and conservation, with built-in safeguards to address environmental and tribal concerns.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-11: By Senator Lee from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 119-109.
- 2026-02-11: By Senator Lee from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 119-109.
- 2025-12-29: Became Public Law No: 119-68.
- 2025-12-29: Became Public Law No: 119-68.
- 2025-12-29: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-29: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-17: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-12-16: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8766-8768)
- 2025-12-16: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- 2025-12-16: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-12-16: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-09-11: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-07-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Bill Versions
- La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act — issued 2025-07-21 — PDF (6 pages)
- La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (3 pages)
- La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act — issued 2025-02-06 — PDF (5 pages)
- La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (5 pages)
- La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act — issued 2025-07-02 — PDF (8 pages)