A bill to release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 277
- 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. 207.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-26T19:35:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, S. 277, aims to resolve a minor boundary encroachment issue on a small parcel of state-owned forest land in Chester County, Tennessee, by releasing the U.S. government's reversionary interest (a conditional right to reclaim the land if it stops being used for public purposes) and transferring federal mineral rights (ownership of subsurface resources like oil, gas, or minerals) to the State of Tennessee without standard procedural hurdles.
Key Provisions
- Findings:
- A survey identified that Bethel Baptist Church is encroaching on approximately 0.62 acres of Chickasaw State Forest land by about 19 inches.
- This land was originally transferred from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Tennessee in 1955, with the federal government retaining a reversionary interest.
- Releasing these federal interests is necessary to fix the encroachment.
- Release of Reversionary Interest:
- The Secretary of Agriculture must release the U.S. reversionary interest in the specified parcel without any payment, appraisal, environmental review, or other reports.
- The interest stems from the 1955 deed and applies only if the land ceases public use.
- Tennessee must cover any administrative costs incurred by the federal government.
- Conveyance of Mineral Rights:
- The Secretary must transfer federal mineral interests in the parcel to Tennessee via a quitclaim deed (a legal document that transfers interest without guarantees) without payment, warranty, or standard checks like mineral value assessments or environmental reviews.
- No exploratory surveys or findings on mineral deposits are required.
- Tennessee must pay administrative costs for the transfer.
- Definitions:
- "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Agriculture.
- "State" means Tennessee.
- "State forest land" is the 0.62-acre parcel mapped by the U.S. Forest Service in 2019.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Waives requirements under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011(c)), which normally mandates appraisals and reviews for land grants, allowing the release without them.
- Overrides provisions in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1719) and related regulations, which typically require mineral value assessments, exploratory programs, and environmental evaluations before conveying federal mineral interests.
- These exemptions apply specifically to this small parcel, streamlining the process without broader application.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Simplifies administrative tasks for the U.S. Department of Agriculture by eliminating review processes, though Tennessee covers costs; enables Tennessee to manage the land more freely without federal reversion risks.
- On Citizens: Resolves a minor property boundary dispute for Bethel Baptist Church, potentially preventing legal conflicts over the 19-inch encroachment and supporting local land use stability.
- On International Relations: No impacts, as this is a domestic land matter with no foreign elements.
- Overall, it facilitates efficient resolution of a localized issue, reducing potential delays in state forest management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service): Loses reversionary and mineral interests but avoids procedural burdens.
- State of Tennessee: Gains full control over the parcel, enabling boundary adjustments and encroachment resolution.
- Bethel Baptist Church: Benefits indirectly by allowing the state to address the encroachment on adjacent church property.
- Local Community in Chester County: May see improved land management and reduced disputes in the Chickasaw State Forest area.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a targeted exception to federal land management laws, emphasizing efficiency for minor, non-controversial issues; the quitclaim deed limits federal liability post-transfer.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges, as it involves congressional authority over federal property under Article IV, Section 3, and does not infringe on states' rights or due process.
- Political: Introduced by Senators Blackburn and Hagerty (both from Tennessee), it reflects bipartisan support for local land resolutions; reported without amendments, indicating low controversy and a focus on administrative relief rather than policy overhaul.
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. 207.
- 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.
- 2025-01-28: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (5 pages)
- To release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-10-27 — PDF (6 pages)