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2 versions
CosmeticWhat changed in REPORTED TO SENATEcompared with INTRODUCED IN SENATE (Jan 28, 2025)

Technical corrections only. The changes between v1 and v2 reflect the bill's reporting out of committee, adding a calendar number and reporting date. No substantive policy changes were made to the legislative text.

S. 277·119th Congress·Introduced Jan 28, 2025

A bill to release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes.

Reported To SenatePublic Lands and Natural ResourcesNarrow
View bill text
Sponsor
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (primary)
Last action
Oct 27, 2025

Bottom line

S. 277 facilitates the resolution of a local land encroachment issue in Chester County, Tennessee, by transferring specific federal land interests to the State without requiring standard review processes.

What it actually does

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to release a federal reversionary interest and convey all federal mineral interests in a specific 0.62-acre parcel of State forest land in Chickasaw State Forest, Chester County, Tennessee, to the State of Tennessee. These actions are mandated to occur without standard appraisals, reports, or environmental reviews, aiming to resolve an existing encroachment issue involving Bethel Baptist Church on the State-owned land.

Section 1(c)

Release of Federal Reversionary Interest in State Forest Land

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision directs the Secretary of Agriculture to release, without requiring payment, the United States' reversionary interest in approximately 0.62 acres of State forest land in Chickasaw State Forest, Chester County, Tennessee. This interest, established by a 1955 deed, would normally allow the land to revert to federal ownership if it ceased to be used for public purposes. The release is to occur without any appraisal, report, or environmental review, bypassing standard requirements. The State must cover administrative costs incurred by the United States in carrying out the release.

Section 1(d)

Conveyance of Federal Mineral Interests

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the State of Tennessee, by quitclaim deed and without payment, all mineral interests owned by the United States in the same 0.62-acre parcel of State forest land. Similar to the reversionary interest release, this conveyance is exempt from standard requirements such as exploratory programs for mineral deposits, findings on mineral values, appraisals, or environmental reviews. The State is responsible for covering any administrative costs associated with this conveyance.

FOUND

The bill explicitly waives several standard review processes for both the release of the reversionary interest and the conveyance of mineral rights. These waivers include requirements for appraisal, other reports, environmental or similar reviews, exploratory programs for mineral deposits, and findings on known mineral values and development.

Section 1(c)(1)(B) and Section 1(d)(2)

Why it matters:This is likely standard legislative practice for narrow, non-controversial land transfers where the intent is to expedite a specific, minor administrative fix. The bill's findings explicitly state the need to resolve an encroachment issue, implying a desire for a swift resolution without lengthy bureaucratic processes that would be disproportionate to the scale of the land involved.

Case for: Supporters would argue that these waivers are necessary to efficiently resolve a minor land dispute without incurring significant administrative costs or delays for a small, non-strategic parcel of land. The explicit findings in the bill justify the streamlined process for this specific, localized issue.

Case against: Critics might contend that bypassing standard environmental reviews, appraisals, and mineral assessments, even for a small parcel, sets a precedent for waiving due diligence in federal land transfers. While the immediate impact here is minimal, such waivers could be problematic if applied to larger or more complex cases without sufficient justification.

Estimated impact: The impact is limited to the administrative efficiency and cost savings for a 0.62-acre parcel of land, potentially accelerating the resolution of a local land dispute by avoiding lengthy federal review processes.

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.

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