Overview
Title
To authorize the conveyance of property in North Bonneville, Washington, to the Port of Skamania, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 7295 is a plan for giving a piece of land in North Bonneville, Washington, to the Port of Skamania, with special rules for how it should be given and taken care of, and instructions on giving it back if the Port ever goes away.
Summary AI
H.R. 7295 proposes to allow the transfer of a piece of property located in North Bonneville, Washington, to the Port of Skamania. The bill outlines details such as the legal process for the transfer, cost responsibilities, and liability protections. It also specifies that if the Port dissolves in the future, the property may be returned to the United States, and sets provisions for transferring it to Skamania County if necessary. The Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, is in charge of this process.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
H.R. 7295 is a legislative proposal introduced in the 118th Congress. Its primary purpose is to authorize the conveyance of a specific property located in North Bonneville, Washington, to the Port of Skamania County. The bill sets forth various stipulations regarding the transfer process, including financial responsibilities and potential reversion of property ownership back to the United States under certain conditions.
Summary of Significant Issues
One notable issue with this bill is that the property is being conveyed to the Port of Skamania County without a competitive process. This approach might raise questions about favoritism, as it could be perceived as excluding other possible interested parties. Additionally, the Secretary of the Army is granted significant discretion in deciding whether the property should revert to the U.S. if the Port dissolves. This discretionary power has the potential to create ambiguity, leading to concerns about consistency and transparency in how such decisions are made.
Further, the exemption from standard procedures, typically applicable to such transactions, might limit oversight and transparency, prompting questions about accountability. The Secretary’s authority to impose additional terms and conditions adds another layer of discretion that could lead to variable interpretations and implementations of the conveyance process.
Impact on the Public
This bill could impact the public by altering local land management and usage in North Bonneville, potentially affecting community planning and development. The bill’s provisions may lead to improved use of currently underutilized property, potentially offering economic benefits to the area. However, the lack of a competitive process could raise public concerns about fairness and equity, as community members might feel excluded from having a say in significant land management decisions.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For the Port of Skamania County, this bill provides a direct benefit by granting them control over a property that may enhance their operations or community engagement initiatives. However, the port assumes financial responsibility for conveyance costs and any liabilities arising post-transfer, which might present financial considerations.
Conversely, stakeholders not directly benefiting from this bill, such as other local organizations or potential bidders, may view the process as biased. Furthermore, the flexibility granted to the Secretary of the Army could be viewed negatively by those who favor more rigid procedures that ensure consistency and clear oversight.
In conclusion, while H.R. 7295 offers administrative and economic opportunities for Skamania County, it simultaneously invites scrutiny regarding transparency, accountability, and equitable treatment of potential stakeholders.
Issues
The conveyance of property to the Port of Skamania County without a competitive process as outlined in Section 1(a) raises concerns about potential favoritism towards a specific entity, which could be viewed as unfair or non-transparent by the public and other interested parties.
The Secretary's discretionary power over the reversion of property rights in Section 1(f) could lead to ambiguity and inconsistency in decision-making, potentially affecting legal clarity and public trust.
The exemption of the property conveyance from the standard procedures set by Section 2696 of title 10, and Section 401(e) of Public Law 100-581 in Sections 1(d)(2) and 1(e) might limit oversight and accountability, as these sections typically ensure transparency and compliance with federal standards.
The Secretary's ability to impose additional terms and conditions at their discretion, as noted in Section 1(d)(5), could result in a lack of uniformity and predictability in the conveyance process, potentially disadvantaging some parties or leading to legal challenges.
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 Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text authorizes the Secretary of the Army to transfer ownership of a specific piece of land and its building in North Bonneville, Washington, to the Port of Skamania County. This transfer includes certain conditions, such as the Port covering all conveyance costs, holding the U.S. harmless from liabilities after the transfer, and the possibility of ownership reverting back to the U.S. if the Port dissolves.