Overview

Title

To authorize the conveyance by the Secretary of the Army of certain property located in Paris, Texas, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

The government wants to give a piece of land called the Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center in Texas to a school called Paris Junior College. The college has to either pay for it or give something helpful back and also pay for things like paperwork to make sure everything is done right.

Summary AI

S. 5554 authorizes the Secretary of the Army to transfer ownership of a property known as the former Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center in Paris, Texas, to Paris Junior College. The college is required to pay at least the property's fair market value through cash, in-kind services, or a mix of both. Additionally, the college must cover any costs related to the transfer process, such as survey and environmental documentation. The Secretary of the Army can include extra terms in the transfer to ensure the United States' interests are protected.

Published

2024-12-17
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-12-17
Package ID: BILLS-118s5554is

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
1
Words:
803
Pages:
4
Sentences:
12

Language

Nouns: 233
Verbs: 61
Adjectives: 39
Adverbs: 7
Numbers: 16
Entities: 53

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.37
Average Sentence Length:
66.92
Token Entropy:
4.66
Readability (ARI):
36.14

AnalysisAI

General Summary

This editorial commentary examines Senate Bill 5554, which was introduced in the 118th Congress, second session. The primary objective of this bill is to authorize the Secretary of the Army to transfer ownership of a piece of federal property located in Paris, Texas. The property, known as the Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center, consists of approximately four acres. It would be conveyed to Paris Junior College, contingent upon the College providing compensation in the form of either cash or in-kind services equivalent to the fair market value of the property.

Summary of Significant Issues

There are several noteworthy concerns associated with the provisions of this bill:

  1. Fair Market Value Determination: The bill allows the Secretary of the Army alone to determine the property's fair market value, without an independent oversight mechanism. This could lead to potential undervaluation, impacting the fair fiscal transaction of public assets.

  2. In-Kind Consideration: The bill permits Paris Junior College to pay for the property using in-kind services, but it lacks clear guidelines on how such services are to be valued in comparison to cash. This ambiguity could result in misinterpretations or undervaluations of the in-kind contributions.

  3. Administrative Costs: Paris Junior College is required to cover all administrative costs related to the conveyance, but the bill does not specify what these costs might encompass. Consequently, the College could face unforeseen financial burdens.

  4. Additional Conditions: The Secretary of the Army is permitted to impose additional terms unilaterally to protect U.S. interests, but the bill does not provide a framework or limit the scope of these conditions, potentially leading to unequal bargaining.

  5. Excess Payment Refunds: While payments in excess may be refunded, the bill does not outline the process or timeline for such refunds, which could cause administrative uncertainty.

Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, this bill may have implications for public transparency and the fair utilization of government resources. If the fair market value of the property is not appropriately assessed, it could lead to a fiscal loss for taxpayers. On the other hand, transferring government properties to educational institutions like Paris Junior College could potentially enhance educational resources and community development if executed transparently and fairly.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Paris Junior College stands to benefit from acquiring the property, potentially expanding its campus and enhancing its educational offerings. However, the undefined scope of covering administrative costs could impose unexpected financial obligations on the institution.

The Secretary of the Army possesses significant control under the bill, raising potential concerns over the transparency and fairness of the transaction, depending on how discretion is exercised.

Local Community: Residents and stakeholders in Paris, Texas, might see positive impacts if the college expands and bolsters educational opportunities, contributing to local economic development.

In summary, while the proposed conveyance could yield benefits for Paris Junior College and the local community, there are several areas where clearer guidelines and oversight could enhance transparency and ensure equitable outcomes for all involved.

Issues

  • The determination of fair market value for the property by the Secretary of the Army without independent oversight could lead to discrepancies or undervaluation, potentially resulting in financial loss for taxpayers. This is addressed in Section 1(b)(1).

  • There is a lack of a clear mechanism for oversight or independent review of the valuation process and conveyance terms, which could lead to issues of transparency and accountability. This concern is addressed in Section 1(b).

  • The terms for in-kind consideration are not clearly valued against cash payments, which could lead to potential undervaluation or misinterpretation of benefits. This issue is found in Sections 1(b)(1) and 1(b)(2).

  • The Secretary of the Army is granted broad discretion to require 'additional terms and conditions' for the conveyance, which could allow for terms that overly favor one party without clear guidelines or criteria. This concern is covered in Section 1(e).

  • The requirement for Paris Junior College to cover 'any other administrative costs related to the conveyance' is undefined and could result in unforeseeable financial burden for the college. This issue is raised in Section 1(c)(1).

  • The process and timeline for refunding any excess amounts paid in advance by the college are not specified, leading to potential financial and administrative ambiguities. This issue relates to Section 1(c)(1)(B).

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. Land conveyance, Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center, Paris, Texas Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The Secretary of the Army is authorized to transfer ownership of a 4-acre property, known as Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center in Paris, Texas, to Paris Junior College. The College must pay at least the property's fair market value, which can be in cash, services, or property improvements. The Secretary is also allowed to set additional conditions to ensure the United States' interests are protected.