Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1829

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 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T19:38:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 1829: Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025

Purpose

This legislation authorizes the transfer of specific parcels of National Forest System land within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in Arizona from the U.S. government to Navajo County and Apache County. The primary goal is to allow these counties to expand existing cemeteries, addressing local needs for burial space while ensuring the land remains dedicated to that public use.

Key Provisions

• Conveyance to Navajo County (Section 2):
• Covers approximately 5 acres total: 2.5 acres for the existing Pinedale Cemetery and 2.5 acres for its proposed expansion, as shown on a map dated May 23, 2022.
• The county must submit a written request within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
• The Secretary of Agriculture (through the U.S. Forest Service) must convey full U.S. ownership rights via a quitclaim deed (a legal document that transfers interest without warranties on the title).
• The land must be used only as a cemetery; if not, ownership reverts back to the U.S.
• The county pays all related costs, including surveys and any required environmental reviews.

• Conveyance to Apache County (Section 3):
• Covers approximately 10.62 acres total: 2.56 acres for the existing Alpine Cemetery and 8.06 acres for the proposed townsite tract expansion, as shown on a map dated October 2019.
• The county must submit a written request within 365 days of the bill's enactment.
• Similar conveyance process and terms as for Navajo County, including quitclaim deed, cemetery-only use, reversion clause, and county payment of costs.
• Exact boundaries will be confirmed by a survey approved by the Secretary.

• General Terms for Both Conveyances:
• No payment is required from the counties to the U.S. (i.e., the transfer is free).
• Subject to existing legal rights (e.g., easements or leases already in place).
• Exempt from Section 120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), meaning the U.S. is not liable for any environmental cleanup on the land after transfer.
• The Secretary can make minor map corrections and add conditions to protect U.S. interests.
• Maps will be available for public review at Forest Service offices.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This act creates a specific exception to general U.S. Forest Service rules, which typically restrict the sale or transfer of national forest lands. It mandates these conveyances without monetary consideration, bypassing standard appraisal and competitive bidding processes under laws like the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The CERCLA exemption also alters default environmental liability rules, shifting responsibility entirely to the counties post-transfer.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The U.S. Forest Service will lose control over about 15.62 acres of forest land, potentially affecting minor aspects of forest management or recreation in the area. Administrative costs for surveys and reviews will be covered by the counties.
• Citizens: Local residents in Navajo and Apache Counties will gain expanded cemetery facilities, improving access to burial options in rural Arizona communities. This supports public health and cultural needs without taxpayer burden on the federal side.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic land transfer involving U.S. public lands.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service: Responsible for executing the transfers and ensuring compliance.
• Navajo County and Apache County, Arizona: Primary beneficiaries, gaining land for essential public services; they bear financial and usage responsibilities.
• Local Residents and Communities: Particularly those in the Pinedale and Alpine areas, who rely on these cemeteries for burial needs.
• Environmental and Recreation Interests: Potentially affected groups (e.g., hikers or conservationists) may see minor changes in land access, though the parcels are small and designated for non-forest uses.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The use of a quitclaim deed simplifies the transfer but offers no guarantees against title disputes. The reversion clause acts as a safeguard, enforcing the cemetery restriction through automatic title return to the U.S. The CERCLA exemption protects federal interests by avoiding liability for potential contamination (e.g., hazardous waste cleanup obligations).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3) to manage and dispose of federal lands. No apparent conflicts with due process or takings issues, as this is a voluntary public-to-public transfer.
• Political: Highlights tensions between federal land stewardship and local government needs in Western states, where public lands comprise a large portion of territory. It sets a precedent for targeted, no-cost conveyances for community infrastructure, potentially influencing future bills for similar rural expansions. The bill's passage in the House (May 13, 2025) and Senate referral (May 14, 2025) indicate bipartisan support for localized solutions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
• 2026-02-12: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
• 2025-05-14: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
• 2025-05-13: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-05-13: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1975-1976)
• 2025-05-13: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1975-1976)
• 2025-05-13: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1829.
• 2025-05-13: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1975-1976)
• 2025-05-13: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
• 2025-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-03-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (10 pages)
• Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-04 — PDF (7 pages)
• Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (8 pages)