La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
- Bill Number
- S. 909
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-11: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 336.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act (S. 909) authorizes the transfer of approximately 3,400 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to La Paz County, Arizona. The primary goal is to enable the county to develop the land, likely for solar energy projects, to promote job creation and economic growth in the region.
Key Provisions
- Land Conveyance: The Secretary of the Interior must convey the specified federal land to La Paz County as soon as practicable after the county requests it. This process bypasses certain planning requirements under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 but follows other applicable laws.
- Restrictions and Exclusions: The transfer is subject to existing legal rights (e.g., leases or permits) and any additional terms the Secretary deems necessary. The Secretary must exclude any portions of the land that contain significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.
- Payment Requirements: The county must pay the fair market value of the land, determined through a professional appraisal that adheres to federal standards (Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice). The county also covers all related costs, including surveys, appraisals, and administrative fees.
- Tribal Artifact Protections: As a condition of the transfer and any future sales, the county (and subsequent owners) must make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing Native American artifacts, minimize impacts if disturbances occur, coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes' Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify significant items, and allow tribal representatives to rebury any unearthed artifacts near their discovery site.
- Map and Adjustments: The land is defined on a specific BLM map dated June 29, 2023, which is available for public inspection at BLM offices. Minor boundary adjustments or corrections to the map, acreage, or descriptions can be made by mutual agreement between the Secretary and the county.
- Land Withdrawal: The federal land is withdrawn from all U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws, preventing new extraction activities.
- Use of Proceeds: Any money received from the conveyance goes into the Federal Land Disposal Account, established under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act, and must be used according to that law (typically to acquire other environmentally important lands or interests).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Bypass of FLPMA Planning: This act waives the standard land use planning processes (sections 202 and 203 of FLPMA) for this specific conveyance, allowing a faster transfer than usual federal procedures require.
- Mineral Withdrawal: It introduces a permanent withdrawal of the land from mining and mineral leasing laws, which could limit future resource extraction activities that might otherwise be permitted under existing statutes.
- Proceeds Handling: Reinforces the use of sale proceeds under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act, directing funds toward land acquisition rather than general federal budgets.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The BLM loses management control over the 3,400 acres, potentially reducing its administrative workload but requiring oversight to ensure compliance with conveyance conditions. The Department of the Interior may see streamlined processes for similar future transfers.
- On Citizens: Residents of La Paz County could benefit from new solar energy jobs and economic development, improving local employment and energy infrastructure. However, exclusion of sensitive areas protects public access to recreational or environmental sites.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic land transfer with no foreign elements mentioned.
- Broader Effects: The act could accelerate renewable energy projects in Arizona, contributing to national clean energy goals, while the tribal protections help preserve cultural heritage.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- La Paz County, Arizona: Primary beneficiary, gaining ownership to pursue solar development and economic initiatives.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Secretary of the Interior: Responsible for executing the conveyance and enforcing conditions.
- Colorado River Indian Tribes: Protected through artifact safeguards, ensuring their cultural interests are addressed in any development.
- Local Residents and Businesses: Potential job creators and users of solar energy; solar developers may indirectly benefit from access to the land.
- Environmental and Recreational Groups: Affected by exclusions of sensitive areas, which preserve wildlife and public use.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The act balances federal land management with local needs by waiving some FLPMA requirements, but it upholds appraisal standards and tribal consultation obligations under laws like the National Historic Preservation Act. The withdrawal from mining laws could face challenges if it limits economic uses, though it aligns with environmental priorities.
- Constitutional: No direct conflicts; the conveyance involves federal property disposition, a congressional power under Article IV, Section 3, and respects tribal sovereignty through consultation requirements.
- Political: This bipartisan bill (introduced by Senators Gallego and Kelly) highlights support for renewable energy and rural economic development in the Southwest. It may set a precedent for expedited land transfers to local governments for green projects, potentially influencing future energy policy debates without broader partisan controversy.
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
- 2026-02-11: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 336.
- 2026-02-11: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. With written report No. 119-107.
- 2026-02-11: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. With written report No. 119-107.
- 2025-09-11: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-03-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (5 pages)
- La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (6 pages)