Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consid…
This bill bars the United States (through the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture) from having a net increase in acres of Federal land or interests in a State during any fiscal year. It requires an annual, categorized inventory by State and aggregate, a report to the President and Congress by September 30, and—if acquisitions exceeded disposals—requires the President to convey sufficient Federal land to that State within 24 months to eliminate the net gain.
Progressives emphasize environmental and public-land loss risks
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a clear substantive policy change that sets a specific legal constraint (no net gain of Federal land by State per fiscal year) and creates annual inventory and reporting duties plus a mandatory corrective conveyance obligation.
This bill bars the United States (through the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture) from having a net increase in acres of Federal land or interests in a State during any fiscal year.
It requires an annual, categorized inventory by State and aggregate, a report to the President and Congress by September 30, and—if acquisitions exceeded disposals—requires the President to convey sufficient Federal land to that State within 24 months to eliminate the net gain.
Conveyances done to comply are exempted from being treated as a "major Federal action" under NEPA.
Contentious subject, NEPA carve-out, and strong stakeholder opposition reduce prospects; could pass chamber with aligned majority but faces major Senate and executive hurdles.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a clear substantive policy change that sets a specific legal constraint (no net gain of Federal land by State per fiscal year) and creates annual inventory and reporting duties plus a mandatory corrective conveyance obligation. Its statutory structure establishes core actors, timelines, and definitions but omits many operational, fiscal, and legal integration details needed to implement or reconcile the requirement across existing programs and authorities.
Progressives emphasize environmental and public-land loss risks
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressives emphasize environmental and public-land loss risks
Likely to view the bill negatively because it mandates no net gain in federal land, potentially reducing public lands and conservation protections.
Concern will focus on environmental impacts, loss of federal stewardship, and the NEPA carve-out.
Some specifics—like whether transfers are sales or transfers and how public access is protected—are unclear and noted as uncertain.
A pragmatic view sees some merit in limiting unchecked federal expansion but raises questions about implementation, fiscal effects, and statutory conflicts.
Support will hinge on clarity about compensation, management responsibilities, and environmental safeguards; missing details make the net effect uncertain.
Likely to view the bill favorably as it prevents expansion of federal ownership and shifts land to state control.
The NEPA exemption is a positive to speed transfers.
Supporters will welcome stronger limits on federal land acquisition within States.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Contentious subject, NEPA carve-out, and strong stakeholder opposition reduce prospects; could pass chamber with aligned majority but faces major Senate and executive hurdles.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Progressives emphasize environmental and public-land loss risks
Contentious subject, NEPA carve-out, and strong stakeholder opposition reduce prospects; could pass chamber with aligned majority but faces…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a clear substantive policy change that sets a specific legal constraint (no net gain of Federal land by State per fiscal year) and creates annual inventory and rep…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.