6 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in PUBLIC LAWcompared with ENROLLED BILL

Technical and administrative changes only. v6 reflects the bill's enactment into Public Law 119-105, including the approval date and legislative history. There are no substantive policy changes between v5 and v6.

H.R. 1276119th CongressIntroduced Feb 13, 2025

To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.

Became Public LawPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]
Committees: Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action: Sep 11, 2026

This analysis was written for v5 (ENROLLED BILL). PUBLIC LAW changed too little to need its own, so it reuses that one rather than a rewrite. The differences between the two are summarized above. View v5

Bottom line

This bill facilitates the transfer of a specific federal land parcel in Paducah, Kentucky, to a local Boys & Girls Club by removing prior federal deed restrictions while imposing new, more specific conditions to ensure public or recreational use.

What it actually does

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to remove all existing deed restrictions, including easements and covenants, from a 3.62-acre parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky, that was previously conveyed to the City of Paducah by the United States. The removal of these restrictions is conditional, requiring that the City of Paducah can only transfer or sell the land to the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah. Furthermore, any new use or development of the parcel must continue to be compatible with public use or recreation purposes.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue this bill enables a valuable community asset, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, to acquire land that can be used for public and recreational purposes, directly benefiting the youth and broader community of Paducah. They contend it streamlines the process for local control and development of the property for a beneficial cause, overcoming previous federal restrictions that might have hindered such development.

Opponents contend

Critics might argue that removing federal restrictions on previously conveyed land could set a precedent for other land transfers, potentially reducing federal oversight on how public assets are utilized. They might also question the specificity of the transfer conditions, suggesting it unduly favors one private entity over others, even if that entity is a non-profit, potentially bypassing a more open or competitive process for land disposition.

The bill is exceptionally short and clear, allowing for a quick and thorough understanding of its provisions by any informed reader.

Section 1(a) through 1(d)

Removal and Conditional Re-restriction of Paducah Land Deed

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision mandates the Secretary of the Interior to eliminate all existing deed restrictions, including easements, exceptions, reservations, terms, conditions, and covenants, on a 3.62-acre parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky. This parcel was originally conveyed by the United States to the City of Paducah in 2012. However, the bill simultaneously imposes new conditions: the City can only transfer this land to the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah, and if the Club later decides to sell, they must first offer it back to the Secretary without cost. Additionally, any future use of the land must remain consistent with public or recreational purposes.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupCity of Paducah, KentuckyImpactGains flexibility in land use by having old federal restrictions removed, but is limited to transferring the land only to a specific entity (Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club).MechanismScale

GroupOscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of PaducahImpactBecomes the designated potential recipient of the land, enabling them to acquire the property for their operations or expansion, subject to future public/recreational use.MechanismScale

GroupFederal Government (Secretary of the Interior)ImpactIs mandated to perform an administrative action (execute instruments to remove restrictions) and retains a right of first refusal if the Boys & Girls Club decides to convey the property in the future.MechanismScale

GroupResidents of Paducah, KentuckyImpactPotentially benefits from enhanced public or recreational facilities if the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club acquires and develops the land for such purposes.MechanismScale

Supporters argue

Supporters argue this provision is a targeted solution to enable a local community organization, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, to acquire and utilize land for beneficial public and recreational purposes, overcoming previous federal restrictions that might have hindered such development. They emphasize the community benefit and the careful re-restriction to ensure public utility.

Critics contend

Critics might contend that this provision creates a specific carve-out for one organization, potentially bypassing a more open or competitive process for land disposition. They could argue that while the intent is good, the mechanism sets a precedent for direct, conditional transfers to specific non-profits, which might not always be the most equitable or transparent approach for federal land assets.

Tradeoffs

The bill balances the desire to facilitate local community development and support a specific non-profit with the principle of maintaining federal oversight and ensuring broad public benefit from previously federal land. It trades general federal restrictions for highly specific, targeted conditions.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.