A bill to transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain parcels of Federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 2280
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-04: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04T21:37:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation transfers administrative jurisdiction (management authority) over specific federal land parcels in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, between the Department of the Interior and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It aims to support CBP's training needs while expanding Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Key Provisions
- Transfer to CBP: Approximately 25 acres, as shown on a specified map ("Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Proposed Land Transfers", numbered 385/176,677, dated May 2021), moves from the Secretary of the Interior to the CBP Commissioner. This land becomes part of CBP's Advanced Training Center and is excluded from the park's boundaries.
- Transfer to Interior: Three parcels totaling about 71.51 acres move from CBP to the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion in and administration as part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
- No cost exchange: Transfers occur without payment or other consideration.
- Survey requirements: CBP must survey the 25-acre parcel for exact acreage and legal description (at CBP's expense), correct any map errors in consultation with Interior, and share the survey with Interior.
- Reversion clause: If CBP no longer needs the 25 acres, jurisdiction reverts to Interior for the park in acceptable condition. Acreage limits on park expansions (under a 1944 law) do not apply to this reversion.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts administrative control between federal agencies without monetary exchange.
- Excludes the 25 acres from the park's boundaries.
- Exempts the reverting land from statutory acreage caps on Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (16 U.S.C. 450bb(d)).
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Enhances CBP's training facilities; expands National Park Service (under Interior) land by ~71.51 acres (net gain after exclusion).
- Citizens and locals: Minimal direct effects; land remains federal but repurposed for training and preservation. Could improve park access or training operations in Harpers Ferry.
- International relations: None apparent.
Main Stakeholders
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Gains training land; responsible for surveys and potential reversion.
- Department of the Interior (National Park Service): Loses 25 acres but gains ~71.51 acres for park use.
- Local Harpers Ferry, WV community: Affected by federal land use changes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Simplifies inter-agency land management via administrative transfers; includes safeguards like surveys and reversion to prevent misuse.
- Constitutional: No issues; Congress has authority over federal lands.
- Political: Routine federal land adjustment with bipartisan potential; passed Senate in 119th Congress (2d Session).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-04: Held at the desk.
- 2026-05-04: Received in the House.
- 2026-05-01: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-04-29: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2100; text: CR S2100)
- 2026-04-29: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-04-29: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-04-29: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- An Act To transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain parcels of Federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-04-29 — PDF (6 pages)
- To transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain parcels of Federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (4 pages)