An original bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 3095
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-03: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 259.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-17T15:47:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (S. 3095) aims to transfer a small parcel of land owned by the U.S. Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, at no cost, provided the county requests it and uses the land for public purposes, such as education and youth development programs.
Key Provisions
- Conveyance Requirement: If Perry County submits a written request within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Forest Service Chief) must convey all U.S. rights to the specified property.
- Property Description: The land is a 0.81-acre parcel (parcel 850-10555-001) at 1069 Fourche Avenue, Perryville, Arkansas 72126, including any improvements. A survey approved by the Secretary will determine the exact boundaries and size.
- Conveyance Terms:
- Subject to any existing legal rights (e.g., easements).
- No payment required from the county (quitclaim deed, meaning the U.S. transfers whatever interest it has without guarantees).
- County must cover all related costs, including surveys, environmental assessments under federal law, and reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act (a law protecting historic sites).
- Environmental Rules: The Secretary is not required to provide warranties about environmental hazards on the property (waiving a standard cleanup promise under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which deals with hazardous waste sites).
- Usage Restriction: The land must be used only for public purposes, like supporting education or youth programs.
- Reversion Clause: If the land stops being used for approved public purposes, the Secretary can reclaim it for the U.S.
- Additional Conditions: The Secretary may add terms to protect U.S. interests.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill creates a specific, one-time exception to general federal land management rules by mandating the transfer of this Forest Service property without compensation.
- It modifies standard environmental transfer requirements by exempting the Secretary from providing CERCLA warranties, which normally require the government to address known contamination before selling or transferring land.
- No broader changes to Forest Service land policies; this is a targeted directive rather than a systemic reform.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Forest Service will lose control of a small, urban-adjacent parcel, potentially simplifying its property management but requiring oversight to enforce the reversion clause if needed.
- Citizens and Local Communities: Perry County residents could gain access to the land for community benefits, such as building facilities for schools or youth activities, enhancing local public services without taxpayer-funded purchase.
- International Relations: None; this is a domestic land transfer with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Perry County, Arkansas: Primary beneficiary, gaining free land for public use but responsible for costs and compliance.
- U.S. Forest Service/Secretary of Agriculture: Must execute the transfer and monitor usage to protect federal interests.
- Local Residents of Perryville: Indirectly benefit from potential community improvements on the site.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures federal interests are safeguarded through reversion and cost-shifting to the county, aligning with property transfer laws while waiving certain environmental liabilities to facilitate the deal. The quitclaim deed limits U.S. liability for title issues.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the transfer involves federal property disposition, a congressional power under Article IV (managing federal lands).
- Political: Represents targeted local advocacy (introduced by Sen. Boozman), common for small-scale bills aiding rural counties. It promotes efficient use of underutilized federal land without fiscal burden on the national budget, but could set a precedent for similar requests if enacted.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-03: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 259.
- 2025-11-03: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Boozman. Without written report.
- 2025-11-03: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Boozman. Without written report.
- 2025-11-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-11-03 — PDF (6 pages)