H.R.837 - To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 837 proposes the conveyance of the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site, consisting of approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land in the Tonto National Forest, Arizona, from the Secretary of Agriculture to Gila County, Arizona. The land must be used to support veterans of the Armed Forces. The conveyance would be without consideration but subject to valid existing rights and other terms deemed appropriate by the Secretary to protect U.S. interests.
Expected Effects
If enacted, Gila County will gain control of the specified land parcel for the purpose of supporting veterans. The federal government will relinquish control of the land. If the land is not used to support veterans, it will revert back to the United States.
Potential Benefits
- Provides land for Gila County to support veterans, potentially improving their access to services and resources.
- No cost to the federal government for the conveyance itself.
- Potential for local economic benefits if the land is developed in a way that creates jobs or attracts investment related to veteran services.
- Addresses a specific local need (veteran support) through a targeted land transfer.
- The reversion clause ensures the land will be used for its intended purpose.
Potential Disadvantages
- Loss of federal control over 232.9 acres of National Forest System land.
- Potential costs to the county for surveys, environmental analysis, and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.
- Limited scope; benefits are concentrated in Gila County, Arizona, and specifically to veterans.
- Potential for disputes over land use if the county's plans are not aligned with the Secretary of Agriculture's interpretation of 'serving and supporting veterans.'
- The bill does not specify what constitutes 'serving and supporting veterans of the Armed Forces'.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and regulate territory or other property belonging to the United States. The bill outlines specific conditions for the land transfer, including its use for veteran support and a reversion clause, which are within Congress's authority to determine the terms of property disposal. The bill does not appear to infringe on any other constitutional provision.
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).