A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona.
- Bill Number
- S. 700
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (S. 700) aims to transfer a specific parcel of federal land in Arizona's Tonto National Forest from the U.S. Forest Service to Gila County at no cost, so the county can use it to support and serve veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "County" refers to Gila County, Arizona.
- "Map" is a specific document titled "Pleasant Valley Admin Site Proposal" dated September 23, 2021.
- "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
- Conveyance Process:
- The Secretary must convey the land if Gila County submits a written request within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
- The property includes approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land, plus any improvements (like buildings), as shown on the map in the "Gila County Area."
- A survey will determine the exact size and legal description; minor map errors can be corrected by the Secretary, and the map will be available for public inspection at Forest Service offices.
- Terms of Transfer:
- The conveyance respects any existing legal rights (e.g., easements or leases).
- It is free (no payment required from the county) and done via a quitclaim deed (a legal document that transfers whatever interest the seller has without guarantees).
- The Secretary can add other conditions to protect U.S. interests.
- Costs and Responsibilities:
- Gila County must cover all conveyance costs, including surveys, environmental assessments required by 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 cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, a law addressing hazardous waste sites).
- Land Use and Enforcement:
- The land can only be used by the county to serve and support veterans.
- If the land is used for any other purpose, ownership reverts (returns) to the United States at the Secretary's discretion.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill creates a mandatory, no-cost transfer of federal land specifically for veterans' services, which is not a standard procedure under current Forest Service land management laws.
- It waives certain federal environmental warranties (under CERCLA), simplifying the transfer but shifting potential cleanup responsibilities to the county.
- The reversion clause introduces a conditional ownership model tied to a specific public purpose, differing from typical permanent land sales or exchanges.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Forest Service will lose control over about 233 acres of national forest land, potentially affecting local administrative operations, though the site is described as an "administrative site" (likely used for ranger district offices).
- Citizens: Local residents, especially veterans in Gila County, could benefit from new county-run facilities or services on the land, improving support for military veterans without federal funding.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic land transfer within the U.S.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Gila County, Arizona: Primary beneficiary, gaining land for veterans' programs but responsible for all costs and compliant use.
- U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture): Loses the property and must facilitate the transfer, including surveys and reviews.
- Veterans and Local Communities: Indirectly affected through potential enhancements to services; the land's use is restricted to their benefit.
- Federal Taxpayers: The free transfer avoids sale proceeds but ensures public land supports a national priority (veterans' care).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces strict use restrictions with a reversion mechanism, which acts like a conditional deed to ensure ongoing compliance; it also streamlines federal processes by exempting environmental warranties, potentially reducing legal hurdles but increasing county liability for any site issues.
- Constitutional: As a congressional act authorizing federal property disposal, it aligns with Congress's authority over public lands under Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, promoting a public good (veterans' support) without raising takings concerns since it's a voluntary transfer.
- Political: Introduced bipartisanship by Senators Kelly and Gallego (both from Arizona), it highlights local priorities for veterans' services amid broader debates on federal land management, potentially setting a precedent for similar targeted conveyances to states or counties.
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
- 2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- 2025-02-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona. — issued 2025-02-25 — PDF (4 pages)