Wabeno Economic Development Act

Bill Number: H.R. 3937
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-06-10: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T00:08:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Wabeno Economic Development Act" (H.R. 3937) aims to support local economic growth by authorizing the sale of a specific parcel of federal land in Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to a private company for business use. It also directs a federal review of permitting processes for extracting stone, sand, and gravel from public lands to identify ways to make approvals faster and more efficient.

Key Provisions

Land Conveyance (Section 2):
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (through the U.S. Forest Service) to sell approximately 14 acres of National Forest System land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, if the company offers the market value within 180 days of an approved appraisal.
The sale must occur within 180 days of receiving the offer and includes all U.S. rights, including minerals beneath the land.
The land is depicted on a specific map dated September 27, 2023; minor map errors can be corrected, and a survey will finalize the exact boundaries and size.
The conveyance uses a quitclaim deed (a legal document that transfers ownership without guaranteeing clear title) and is subject to existing rights (like easements) and other protections for U.S. interests.
The buyer must pay the appraised market value plus all related costs, including surveys, appraisals, and any required environmental reviews under federal law.
An appraisal must be completed within 300 days of the bill's enactment, following standard federal guidelines for fairness and accuracy.

Permitting Process Review (Section 3):
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with other federal agencies, industry groups, and state officials, to review federal permitting for developing stone, sand, and gravel on public lands.
Requires a report to Congress (House Committee on Natural Resources and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) and public posting on the Interior Department's website within 180 days of enactment.
The report must cover:
Current permitting steps and average timelines from application to approval.
Inefficiencies or redundant requirements and their effects on project delays.
Recommendations for laws or administrative changes to simplify the process.
Economic effects of current timelines, especially on the stone, sand, and gravel industries.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a one-time mandate for the Forest Service to convey a specific parcel of national forest land, which overrides general protections against selling public lands without such targeted legislation.
It establishes a new requirement for a comprehensive federal review of aggregate material (stone, sand, gravel) permitting, which could lead to future reforms but does not immediately alter current processes.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Forest Service must handle the land sale, including appraisals and surveys, potentially straining resources but generating revenue from the sale. The Interior Department will lead the permitting review, involving coordination across agencies, which could inform broader policy changes to reduce administrative burdens.
On Citizens and Local Communities: Supports economic development in Wabeno, Wisconsin, by enabling a local business (a ready-mix concrete company) to expand, potentially creating jobs and boosting the regional economy. However, it reduces public access to a small portion of national forest land.
On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic land management and resource extraction.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC: Primary beneficiary, gaining land for business operations at fair market value.
U.S. Forest Service (Department of Agriculture): Responsible for executing the land conveyance and ensuring compliance with environmental laws.
Department of the Interior and Other Federal Agencies: Lead the permitting review and provide input on streamlining processes.
Stone, Sand, and Gravel Industry: Benefits from potential future efficiencies in federal approvals, which could lower costs and speed up projects.
Local Communities and States (e.g., Wisconsin): Affected by economic opportunities from the land sale and broader input into the permitting review.
Congressional Committees: Receive the review report, influencing future legislation on public land use.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: The bill ensures compliance with federal appraisal standards and environmental laws (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act reviews), but the quitclaim deed limits U.S. liability for title issues. It balances private economic interests with public land protections through conditions like valid existing rights.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal property under Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, without raising significant takings or due process concerns since the sale is at market value.
Political: Highlights tensions between economic development and conservation of public lands; the targeted conveyance to a specific company could spark debates on favoritism, while the permitting review addresses industry calls for deregulation to support infrastructure and construction sectors. No overt partisan elements in the bill text.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]

Recent Actions

2026-06-10: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
2026-02-12: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
2025-07-23: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
2025-07-22: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-07-22: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 1 (Roll no. 215). (text: CR H3541) (Roll call 215)
2025-07-22: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 1 (Roll no. 215). (text: CR H3541: 6) (Roll call 215)
2025-07-22: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3544-3545)
2025-07-22: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2025-07-22: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3937.
2025-07-22: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3541-3543)
2025-07-22: Mr. Tiffany moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-07-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-211, Part I.
2025-07-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-211, Part I.
2025-06-25: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
2025-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Bill Versions

Wabeno Economic Development Act — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (8 pages)
Wabeno Economic Development Act — issued 2025-06-11 — PDF (6 pages)
Wabeno Economic Development Act — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (6 pages)