To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1276
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T16:43:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to remove certain deed restrictions on a specific parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky, that was previously transferred from the federal government to the city, while imposing new conditions to ensure continued public benefit.
Key Provisions
- Removal of Restrictions: The Secretary of the Interior must execute documents to eliminate all deed restrictions, including easements (rights to use another's property for a specific purpose), exceptions, reservations, terms, conditions, and covenants from a 2012 quitclaim deed (a legal document transferring property without warranties) that conveyed the land to the City of Paducah.
- New Conditions: Upon removal, the Secretary must include a reservation in the deed requiring:
- The City of Paducah cannot transfer or sell the land to any entity except the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah.
- If transferred to the Boys & Girls Club, that organization must first offer to return the land to the Secretary of the Interior for free before selling or transferring it to anyone else.
- Any future use or development of the land must align with public use or recreation purposes (e.g., parks, community facilities).
- Land Description: The affected parcel is approximately 3.62 acres at 2956 Park Avenue, part of the former Paducah Memorial Army Reserve Center in McCracken County, Kentucky, including any buildings or improvements on it.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill modifies the terms of the 2012 quitclaim deed by lifting prior federal restrictions on the land's use and transfer, which likely limited its development or sale to protect federal interests.
- It introduces targeted new safeguards to prevent unrestricted private commercialization, shifting from broad federal controls to conditional local flexibility while prioritizing community-oriented uses.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior gains a right of first refusal (priority to reclaim the land) if transferred, potentially involving minimal administrative effort but ensuring federal oversight of former military property.
- On Citizens: Local residents in Paducah may benefit from preserved recreational access, as the land's use remains tied to public purposes; it could enable community projects through the Boys & Girls Club without full privatization.
- On International Relations: No impacts, as this is a domestic property matter with no foreign policy elements.
- Overall, the change is localized and unlikely to have broad economic or environmental effects beyond McCracken County.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- City of Paducah, Kentucky: Gains flexibility to manage or transfer the land but is restricted from broad sales.
- Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah: Designated as the sole allowable recipient of the land from the city, potentially enabling youth programs or community development.
- Secretary of the Interior (U.S. Department of the Interior): Responsible for executing the removal and holds repurchase rights.
- Local Community and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through maintained public access to the site, formerly part of a federal reserve center.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: This is a routine property adjustment under federal land conveyance laws (e.g., those governing surplus federal real estate), ensuring compliance with deed modification requirements without altering broader statutes like the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves congressional authority over federal lands and does not infringe on property rights, due process, or equal protection.
- Political: As a narrow, bipartisan bill (passed by the House in the 119th Congress), it reflects local advocacy for community reuse of decommissioned military sites, with minimal national controversy; it promotes youth and recreation priorities without significant fiscal or partisan debate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-12-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-12-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-12-09: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5073)
- 2025-12-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5073)
- 2025-12-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1276.
- 2025-12-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5073-5074)
- 2025-12-09: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-09-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 237.
- 2025-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-281.
- 2025-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-281.
- 2025-07-23: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-23: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-06-25: Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- 2025-04-29: Subcommittee Hearings Held
Bill Versions
- An Act To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky. — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (4 pages)
- To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky. — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (2 pages)
- An Act To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky. — issued 2025-12-10 — PDF (3 pages)
- To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky. — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (6 pages)