Overview
Title
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona.
ELI5 AI
The bill is about giving some land in Arizona to people in Gila County so they can help military veterans. If they don't use the land for that, it has to go back to the government.
Summary AI
H.R. 1829 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer ownership of the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site in Arizona to Gila County. The conveyance will include approximately 232.9 acres of land, with the condition that Gila County must use the land to support military veterans. The county will cover all costs related to the land transfer, including surveys and environmental analyses. If the land is not used as agreed, ownership may revert back to the United States.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill "H. R. 1829" under the 118th Congress proposes the conveyance of the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site, located in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, to Gila County. This conveyance involves approximately 232.9 acres of land, specifically designated for the support of veterans of the Armed Forces. The legislation outlines the conditions under which this conveyance takes place, requiring Gila County to bear all related costs and legally binding the use of the land for veteran support. Should the land be used for purposes other than those specified, it may revert to federal ownership, depending on the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several issues arise regarding the bill's provisions. First, the conveyance is to be made without any financial compensation to the federal government, raising questions about the loss of government assets. Furthermore, the land's usage is restricted to purposes that serve and support veterans, but the bill lacks detailed definitions of what such use encompasses, leading to potential ambiguities. The provision allowing reversion of land ownership to the United States if the terms are violated is subject to the Secretary of Agriculture's discretion, which might lead to inconsistent enforcement. Additionally, the absence of specific timelines for essential procedures may result in delays. There is also concern over the clarification needed on which part of Gila County's government will handle these responsibilities.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this bill's impact on the public could be dual-sided. On one hand, it could be viewed positively, as it aims to enhance support for veterans through community resources, addressing an important social issue. However, by transferring public land without compensation or clear benefits to taxpayers, questions arise about fiscal responsibility and equitable public asset management.
Impact on Stakeholders
Veterans: The primary stakeholders poised to benefit are veterans who might gain increased support services as a result of the bill. The land's use for their benefit serves a public good, potentially improving the quality of life for those who have served in the armed forces.
Gila County: The county could gain valuable land assets without the direct costs of purchasing, enabling local development for veteran support and glorifying its community service reputation. However, without clear guidelines for permissible activities, the county may face challenges in implementation and possibly legal disputes.
Federal Government: From the perspective of federal interests, the bill could be perceived as setting a precedent that may pave the way for similar requests, raising concerns over the management and distribution of public lands. The government's interests in preserving and maximizing asset value could be seen as challenged by uncompensated conveyance.
The bill, while aiming to provide a noble service to veterans, encounters several hurdles that require careful consideration to ensure it operates effectively and equitably for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The conveyance of federal land to Gila County without compensation could be construed as a loss of federal assets, potentially raising questions about the balance of public interest versus local benefit. (Section 1.d.2.)
The stipulation that the land must revert to the United States if not used for veterans’ support is tied to the Secretary's discretion, which could lead to inconsistent application and enforcement. This can result in legal and administrative complications. (Section 1.h.)
The purpose restriction that the land can only be used for 'serving and supporting veterans of the Armed Forces' lacks detail, which might lead to differing interpretations about what exactly constitutes permitted use, potentially causing legal challenges or misuse. (Section 1.g.)
There are no specific timelines for conducting the survey and other conveyance-related procedures, which could delay implementation and lead to administrative and logistical issues. (Section 1.c.3.)
The Secretary's power to correct 'minor errors' in the map without clear guidelines on what constitutes a 'minor error' opens possibilities for disputes over land boundaries and legal challenges. (Section 1.c.2.A.)
The identity of the Gila County entity responsible for requesting and managing the conveyance is unclear, leading to potential administrative confusion and lack of accountability. (Section 1.a.1.)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Conveyance of Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Gila County, Arizona, can request the conveyance of the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site from the United States, which comprises about 232.9 acres of land in the Tonto National Forest. The county must cover all associated costs, use the land to support veterans, and if the land is used for other purposes, it could revert to the United States.