Fruit Heights Land Conveyance Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5478
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-27T16:28:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Fruit Heights Land Conveyance Act of 2025 aims to transfer approximately 296 acres of National Forest System land in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest from the U.S. government to the city of Fruit Heights, Utah, for public purposes. This conveyance supports local community needs while reserving certain federal interests.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: The Act defines key terms, including "City" (city of Fruit Heights, Utah), "Map" (a specific map titled "Fruit Heights City US Forest Service Land Conveyance" dated March 2024), and "Secretary" (Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service).
- Conveyance Process: The Secretary must convey all U.S. right, title, and interest in the specified land to the City within 30 days of the Act's enactment.
- Property Description: The land is a parcel of about 295.89 acres, including all improvements, depicted as the "conveyance area" on the map. Minor map errors can be corrected by the Secretary, and the map will be available for public inspection at Forest Service offices.
- Survey Requirements: The exact acreage and legal description will be finalized via a survey approved by the Secretary. The City must cover all reasonable survey and administrative costs.
- Terms and Conditions:
- The transfer is subject to valid existing rights (e.g., prior leases or permits).
- It occurs without payment (no consideration).
- It uses a quitclaim deed (a legal document that transfers whatever interest the grantor has without warranties).
- Additional terms may protect U.S. interests as deemed necessary by the Secretary.
- A reserved easement ensures continued access for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (a public recreational trail).
- Use Restriction: The City must use the land exclusively for public purposes (e.g., parks, recreation, or community facilities).
- Reversionary Interest: If the land is used for non-public purposes, ownership automatically reverts to the Secretary at their discretion, restoring federal control.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This Act introduces a targeted exception to federal land management laws by authorizing the no-cost transfer of specific National Forest System land from federal to municipal ownership. It modifies the status of this parcel from public federal land (managed under the National Forest Management Act and related statutes) to local city property, while imposing new conditions like the public-use requirement and reversion clause. No broader changes to national forest policies are made; this is a one-time conveyance.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture) will lose administrative control over the 296 acres, potentially simplifying federal land management but requiring updates to forest boundaries and records. The agency retains oversight through the reversionary interest and trail easement.
- Citizens: Local residents of Fruit Heights and surrounding areas may gain improved access to public facilities on the land, enhancing community recreation or services. Broader public access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail remains protected.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic land transfer with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders
- City of Fruit Heights, Utah: Primary beneficiary, gaining land for public use but responsible for survey costs and compliance with restrictions.
- U.S. Forest Service/Secretary of Agriculture: Loses ownership but retains protective interests (e.g., reversion, easement) and administrative roles in the process.
- Local Residents and Trail Users: Affected by potential changes in land use, with benefits from public development and ensured trail access.
- Existing Rights Holders: Individuals or entities with pre-existing rights (e.g., grazing permits) on the land, whose interests are preserved.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The quitclaim deed and reversionary interest provide mechanisms to enforce public use, aligning with property law principles that allow conditional transfers. The survey provision ensures accurate boundaries, reducing future disputes. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act or other federal reviews is not explicitly addressed but may be implied in the Secretary's "appropriate" terms.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the conveyance involves congressional authority over federal lands under the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution), promoting local governance without infringing on federal powers.
- Political: This bill reflects bipartisan local advocacy (introduced by Utah representatives) for devolving federal land to municipalities, potentially setting a precedent for similar transfers in Western states with significant public lands. It balances federal conservation with community needs but could spark debates on federal land disposal.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Fruit Heights Land Conveyance Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (4 pages)