A small structural change was made to the bill. Subsection (g) in v1, which covered both land use and reversion, was split into two distinct subsections, (g) for land use and (h) for reversion, in v2. This reordering clarifies the bill's structure without altering its policy or operative effect.
A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
- Committees
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 23, 2026
Bottom line
S. 700 facilitates the transfer of federal land in Arizona to Gila County for the specific purpose of supporting veterans, with the County bearing all transfer costs and future use restrictions.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land, known as the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site, to Gila County, Arizona. The conveyance is without monetary consideration, but the County must pay all associated costs, including surveys and environmental analyses. Crucially, the land must be used exclusively for serving and supporting veterans of the Armed Forces, with a reversion clause allowing the land to return to the United States if this condition is violated.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this conveyance will allow Gila County to better utilize federal land for a critical local need, specifically providing services and support to veterans. They contend that transferring underutilized federal administrative sites to local control for community benefit is an efficient use of resources and demonstrates commitment to veteran welfare. The requirement for the County to cover all costs ensures no financial burden on federal taxpayers for the transfer.
Opponents contend
No organized opposition is explicitly stated against this specific land transfer, given its localized nature and stated purpose. However, potential concerns in similar situations might include the loss of federal land for broader public use, the precedent it sets for other federal land transfers, or the potential for future misuse if oversight is insufficient, though the reversion clause in this bill addresses the latter.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its core provisions and implications within a short timeframe.
Section 1(b), (c), (d)
Mandatory Conveyance of Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site
This provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land in the Tonto National Forest, Arizona, to Gila County. The transfer is mandatory if the County submits a written request within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The land is conveyed without monetary payment from the County, using a quitclaim deed, and is subject to any existing valid rights.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision allows Gila County to acquire land that can be repurposed for local community needs, particularly for veterans, without the financial burden of purchasing the land from the federal government. It streamlines the process for local governments to utilize federal assets.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision because it is a localized land transfer for a generally supported purpose. Broader arguments against such transfers might focus on the reduction of federal land holdings or potential loss of public access, but these are not prominent for this specific administrative site.
Tradeoffs
The primary tension is between federal land ownership for national purposes and local community needs. This bill resolves it by prioritizing local use for a specific public service (veterans) over continued federal administrative ownership, while ensuring the federal government incurs no direct cost for the transfer.
Section 1(e), (g), (h)
Conditions for Conveyance: Costs, Use Restriction, and Reversion
This provision outlines the critical conditions attached to the land transfer. Gila County must bear all costs associated with the conveyance, including surveys, environmental analyses, and historic preservation compliance. Furthermore, the land's use is strictly limited to serving and supporting veterans of the Armed Forces. If the County uses the land in any inconsistent manner, all rights, title, and interest in the land will revert back to the United States at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
This section states that the Secretary of Agriculture is not required to provide any covenant or warranty regarding environmental conditions for the conveyed land, notwithstanding a specific provision of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
Section 1(f)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to clarify federal liability in land conveyances, particularly for properties that might have had historical administrative or industrial uses. It protects the federal government from potential future environmental cleanup costs or legal claims.
Case for: Proponents argue this protects the federal taxpayer from unknown environmental liabilities on transferred property, which is a common and prudent practice in land conveyances. It ensures the federal government is not held responsible for conditions it may not have created or fully documented.
Case against: Critics might argue that this provision shifts potential environmental cleanup costs and liabilities entirely to Gila County, which could become a significant financial burden if contamination is discovered. It places the risk squarely on the local government without federal assistance.
Estimated impact: The impact is contingent on the actual environmental condition of the site. If the site is pristine, the impact is negligible. If significant contamination exists, the impact could be substantial cleanup costs for Gila County.