To transfer administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land in Saratoga Springs, Utah, from the Secretary of the Interior to the United States Postal Service for construction of a post office, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4716
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T18:44:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (H.R. 4716) aims to transfer control of a specific piece of federal land in Saratoga Springs, Utah, from the Department of the Interior to the United States Postal Service (USPS). The primary goal is to enable the construction and operation of a new post office on that land to improve postal services in the area.
Key Provisions
- Land Transfer: Administrative jurisdiction (meaning day-to-day management and use rights) of approximately 20.32 acres of federal land—identified as Parcel #58:022:0021, located west of Mountain View Corridor, north of State Route 73, and accessible via Wild Blossom Boulevard—is transferred from the Secretary of the Interior to the USPS.
- Use Requirement: The land must be used for a USPS facility, specifically for building and operating a post office.
- Timeline for Construction: The USPS is required to complete construction and start operations of the post office within 2 years after the bill becomes law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill alters the management of public land by shifting it from the Department of the Interior (which typically oversees federal lands for conservation or other public uses) to the USPS, a separate federal agency focused on mail delivery.
- It introduces a specific mandate for the land's use, overriding any prior federal land management plans for this parcel, and sets a deadline for development that was not previously in place.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior will lose authority over this land, potentially simplifying federal land administration but reducing its holdings in Utah. The USPS gains immediate access to build infrastructure, which could enhance its operational efficiency in a growing area.
- Citizens: Local residents in Saratoga Springs may benefit from a new, dedicated post office, improving access to mail services in a developing community. No direct negative impacts on citizens are outlined, though construction could temporarily affect nearby traffic or land use.
- International Relations: None; this is a domestic land transfer with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- United States Postal Service (USPS): Primary beneficiary, as it receives the land for essential infrastructure.
- Department of the Interior: Loses jurisdictional control, affecting its management of federal lands in Utah.
- Local Community (Saratoga Springs, Utah): Residents and businesses gain improved postal access; the city may see economic or developmental benefits from the new facility.
- Federal Government Overall: Involves coordination between agencies, with potential minor budgetary implications for land transfer and construction costs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The transfer is straightforward under congressional authority to manage federal property (via Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress power over federal lands). It ensures the land remains in federal ownership but changes its administrative purpose, with no reversion clause if the post office is not built (though the 2-year deadline implies accountability).
- Constitutional: No major challenges anticipated, as it involves routine inter-agency land transfers without infringing on states' rights or private property.
- Political: This could highlight bipartisan interest in supporting postal infrastructure in rural or suburban growth areas like Saratoga Springs, potentially setting a precedent for similar transfers to address USPS facility needs amid population expansion. It was introduced by Rep. Owens (R-UT) and referred to committees on natural resources and government oversight, suggesting focus on efficient federal land use.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To transfer administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land in Saratoga Springs, Utah, from the Secretary of the Interior to the United States Postal Service for construction of a post office, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (2 pages)