H.R.718 - Public Lands in Public Hands Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.718, the "Public Lands in Public Hands Act," aims to restrict the transfer of federal land managed by the Department of Interior and the Forest Service to non-federal entities. The bill specifically targets publicly accessible tracts of land and those contiguous to such tracts or state/local government-owned land accessible to the public. It includes exceptions for transfers under 300 acres (or 5 acres accessible by waterway) authorized by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and other specific acts.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would significantly limit the ability of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer federal land. This could impact land development, conservation efforts, and resource management strategies. The bill's exceptions provide some flexibility, but the overall effect is a greater restriction on land transfer.
Potential Benefits
- Preservation of public access to federal lands for recreation and other uses.
- Potential for enhanced conservation of natural resources on these lands.
- Protection of existing recreational opportunities.
- Maintenance of current land management practices.
- Ensuring continued public oversight of these lands.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced flexibility for land management agencies to adapt to changing needs.
- Potential hindrance of economic development opportunities that could arise from land transfers.
- Possible limitations on local governments' ability to acquire land for public purposes.
- Increased administrative burden due to restrictions on land transfers.
- Potential conflicts with existing land management plans.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with Congress's power under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. The restrictions on land transfer fall within this broad authority. However, potential conflicts could arise if the restrictions impede state or local governments' abilities to manage their own lands or resources, potentially raising Tenth Amendment concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).