A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to release a reversionary interest in certain land in the Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 1262
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-27T19:20:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, S. 1262, aims to enable a land exchange in the Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to release a federal reversionary interest—a conditional right of the U.S. government to reclaim land if it is no longer used for public purposes. This facilitates the transfer of approximately 31.83 acres of state forest land to a private business, Deli, Inc., in exchange for about 37.27 acres of the business's land, which will then be added to the state forest.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Deli, Inc." refers to a sphagnum moss production business in Millston, Wisconsin.
- "Deli land" describes two parcels totaling about 37.27 acres owned or optioned by Deli, Inc., detailed by legal descriptions and subject to state approvals, easements, and exclusions (e.g., road rights-of-way and zoning restrictions).
- "State forest land" specifies two parcels totaling about 31.83 acres within the Black River State Forest, also detailed legally.
- References a map titled "Black River State Forest - Deli, Inc." dated June 26, 2023.
- Findings: Congress recognizes that the state forest land is subject to a federal reversionary interest under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011(c)), which mandates perpetual public use. It also notes the agreed exchange between the State of Wisconsin and Deli, Inc., where the state forest land goes to the business, and the Deli land becomes part of the forest.
- Conditional Release:
- If the state provides a written agreement to exchange the state forest land for the Deli land (pending approvals from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Board, and Governor), the U.S. reversionary interest is released.
- The Secretary of Agriculture must promptly issue a quitclaim deed (a document that releases any U.S. claim to the land without payment) to the state for recording before the exchange deeds are finalized.
- The Secretary may correct legal descriptions of the land in consultation with the state.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill modifies the application of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act by releasing the federal reversionary interest on the specified state forest land, removing the perpetual public-use requirement for that parcel.
- It introduces a one-time, conditional mechanism for the release, tied to the land exchange, rather than a broad amendment to the Act.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture will need to process and record the quitclaim deed, involving administrative coordination with the State of Wisconsin. This could streamline state land management but requires minimal ongoing federal involvement post-release.
- On Citizens: Local communities in Millston, Wisconsin, may see no net loss in state forest acreage due to the exchange, potentially preserving recreational and environmental uses while allowing a local business to expand operations on the transferred land.
- On International Relations: No impacts, as this is a domestic land matter.
- Overall, the exchange maintains the forest's size (gaining slightly more land) and supports a small business without broader environmental or public access disruptions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State of Wisconsin: Gains Deli land for the forest; must approve and execute the exchange through its agencies and governor.
- Deli, Inc.: Receives state forest land for its sphagnum moss business expansion, subject to state option approvals.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Responsible for releasing the reversionary interest via quitclaim deed.
- Local Community (Millston, Jackson County): Indirectly affected through potential economic benefits from business growth and sustained forest resources.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The release uses a quitclaim deed to cleanly transfer federal interests, ensuring the exchange complies with existing property laws and avoids future disputes. It upholds the Bankhead-Jones Act's intent by requiring the replacement land to serve public purposes in the forest.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; the bill involves federal relinquishment of property rights, which is within Congress's authority over federal lands and does not infringe on due process or takings clauses, as it releases a conditional interest without compensation demands.
- Political: As a bipartisan bill (introduced by Sens. Johnson and Baldwin), it highlights localized environmental and economic balancing in rural areas. Reported without amendment, it suggests low controversy and focuses on administrative efficiency rather than broader policy shifts.
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
- 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.
- 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-10-21: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-04-02: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2025-04-02: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To require the Secretary of Agriculture to release a reversionary interest in certain land in the Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-04-02 — PDF (6 pages)
- To require the Secretary of Agriculture to release a reversionary interest in certain land in the Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-10-27 — PDF (8 pages)