2 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in REPORTED TO SENATEcompared with INTRODUCED IN SENATE (Apr 2, 2025)

Technical corrections only. The only changes between v1 and v2 are updates to the legislative status, indicating the bill was reported by the committee without amendment. There are no substantive policy changes in the bill text itself.

S. 1262119th CongressIntroduced Apr 2, 2025

A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to release a reversionary interest in certain land in the Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, and for other purposes.

Reported To SenatePublic Lands and Natural ResourcesSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Committees: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (primary)
Last action: Oct 27, 2025

Bottom line

S. 1262 enables a land swap between the State of Wisconsin and a private business, Deli, Inc., by removing a federal restriction, ultimately expanding the Black River State Forest.

What it actually does

This bill facilitates a specific land exchange in Millston, Wisconsin, involving the State of Wisconsin and Deli, Inc. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to release a federal reversionary interest in approximately 31.83 acres of State forest land, contingent upon the State conveying this land to Deli, Inc. in exchange for Deli, Inc. conveying approximately 37.27 acres of its land to the State, which will then be added to the Black River State Forest. The federal interest ensures the land's public use, and its release is conditional on the exchange that maintains public use with a net gain in acreage for the state forest.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue this bill is a beneficial, locally-driven land management solution that allows for a private business expansion while simultaneously increasing the acreage of the Black River State Forest. They contend it streamlines land use, resolves a federal encumbrance, and results in a net gain of public forest land for the State of Wisconsin, serving both economic development and conservation interests.

Opponents contend

No organized opposition is typically raised against specific, localized land exchange bills like this, especially when they result in a net gain for public lands. Potential concerns, if any, might revolve around the specific valuation of the exchanged parcels or the precedent of releasing federal reversionary interests, but these are not explicitly stated in the bill text or commonly associated with such measures.

The bill is very short and straightforward, allowing for a quick and comprehensive understanding of its provisions.

Section 1(b)(2)

Conditional Release of Reversionary Interest

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision mandates that if the State of Wisconsin agrees to exchange its 31.83 acres of Black River State Forest land (currently under federal reversionary interest) with Deli, Inc. for 37.27 acres of Deli, Inc.'s land, then the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture must release the federal government's claim on the State forest land. This release is crucial because the federal interest requires the land to be used for public purposes, and the exchange ensures the new Deli land also becomes public forest. The Secretary is required to provide a quitclaim deed to formalize this release before the land exchange deeds are recorded.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupState of Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesImpactGains approximately 5.44 acres of land for the Black River State Forest, consolidating public land holdings.MechanismLand exchange facilitated by federal reversionary interest release.ScaleLocal, specific to Black River State Forest.

GroupDeli, Inc. (sphagnum moss production business)ImpactAcquires State forest land for business expansion, subject to conveying its own land to the State.MechanismLand exchange.ScaleLocal, specific to the business.

GroupFederal Government (Secretary of Agriculture)ImpactReleases a reversionary interest, facilitating a local land management decision without direct financial cost.MechanismStatutory requirement to issue a quitclaim deed.ScaleAdministrative, specific to this land parcel.

GroupPublic users of Black River State ForestImpactThe overall acreage of the Black River State Forest will increase, potentially enhancing recreational opportunities or conservation efforts.MechanismNet gain of land to the State forest.ScaleLocal, specific to forest users.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue this provision is a practical solution that allows a local business to expand while simultaneously benefiting the public by increasing the size of a state forest. They highlight that the federal government's reversionary interest is appropriately released because the land's public purpose is maintained and enhanced through the net gain of acreage for the state forest.

Critics contend

No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it facilitates a local land exchange that results in a net gain for public lands. Any potential concerns would likely be about the specific details of the land valuation or the precedent of federal interest release, but these are generally minor for such localized bills.

Tradeoffs

The primary tension is balancing the federal government's historical interest in the land's public use with the State's desire for flexible land management and local economic development. The bill resolves this by conditioning the release on an exchange that results in a net increase of public forest land, ensuring the original public purpose is upheld and expanded.

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.