No Net Gain in Federal Lands Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 775
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-01-28: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
Last Updated: 2026-02-06T19:46:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No Net Gain in Federal Lands Act of 2025" aims to prevent the federal government from increasing its overall ownership of land, water, and related interests in any given fiscal year. It enforces a balance where any new federal acquisitions must be offset by equivalent disposals, promoting stability in federal land holdings.

Key Provisions

No Net Gain Requirement: In each state, the acres of land, water, or interests (like easements) acquired by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cannot exceed the acres disposed of (sold or transferred) in the same fiscal year. This applies separately to full ownership (fee title) and partial interests (less than fee title).
Annual Inventory and Reporting: The relevant Secretary (for DOI or USDA) must conduct an yearly count of federal lands by type of interest (e.g., full ownership, easements, mineral rights) at the state and national levels. By September 30 each year, they submit a report to the President and Congress detailing changes from the prior fiscal year.
Compliance Mechanism: If acquisitions exceed disposals in a state, the President must transfer enough excess federal land to that state within 24 months to achieve balance. Such transfers are exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which normally requires environmental impact reviews for major federal actions.
Definitions:
Federal Land: Broadly includes federal lands/waters, trust lands (with exceptions), leased non-federal lands, conservation easements held by the government, and non-federal lands under significant federal restrictions that limit use without authorization. Excludes tribal lands restricted from sale, foreclosed properties, temporary holdings by agencies, reverted lands, tax liens, or debt-secured properties.
Secretary: Refers to the Secretary of Agriculture for USDA-managed lands or the Secretary of the Interior for DOI-managed lands.
State: Includes the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a rigid "no net gain" rule, which did not previously exist in federal land management statutes. Prior laws, such as those under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, allowed flexible acquisitions and disposals without a mandatory balance per state or fiscal year. It also mandates presidential action for compliance and waives NEPA reviews for corrective transfers, streamlining disposals but potentially bypassing environmental safeguards.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: DOI and USDA would face limits on expanding land holdings, requiring more active disposal programs (e.g., sales or transfers) to offset acquisitions. This could strain resources for tracking and reporting but reduce long-term management burdens.
On Citizens and States: States could gain direct ownership of federal lands if net gains occur, potentially increasing local control for uses like development or recreation. Citizens might see reduced federal restrictions on certain lands, but environmental or conservation efforts could be affected if disposals prioritize compliance over protection.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic land within U.S. states; it does not address territories, overseas possessions, or cross-border issues.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: Primarily DOI (manages public lands like national parks) and USDA (oversees national forests and grasslands), which must track and balance holdings.
States and Local Governments: Benefit from potential land transfers, gaining authority over resources like timber, minerals, or grazing areas.
Landowners and Private Interests: Affected by changes in federal leases, easements, or restrictions; could see opportunities for purchasing or using disposed lands.
Environmental and Conservation Groups: May oppose disposals that reduce protected federal lands.
Tribal Nations: Largely unaffected, as tribal trust lands are excluded from the "federal land" definition.
Congress and the President: Gain oversight through reports and executive conveyance duties.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal Implications: The bill could conflict with existing statutes authorizing federal land acquisitions (e.g., for conservation or wildlife refuges) by imposing a cap, potentially leading to court challenges over agency authority. The NEPA exemption accelerates transfers but raises questions about environmental compliance.
Constitutional Implications: Touches on federalism by shifting land control from the federal government to states, aligning with property rights principles under the Fifth Amendment (takings clause) but possibly infringing on Congress's Article IV authority over federal territories. It avoids direct tribal issues by exclusions, respecting treaty obligations.
Political Implications: Likely to spark debate between those favoring reduced federal control (e.g., for economic development in Western states) and advocates for federal stewardship of public lands. As an introduced bill in the 119th Congress, its passage could signal a policy shift toward decentralization, influencing future land-use debates.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

Recent Actions

2025-01-28: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
2025-01-28: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
2025-01-28: Introduced in House
2025-01-28: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

No Net Gain in Federal Lands Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (6 pages)