119-HR-1043 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — Document 119-HR-1043

Headline Summary: Congress cleared a bill letting La Paz County purchase 3,400 acres of federal land to grow a solar energy park and related development, while requiring protection of tribal artifacts. [1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.1043 (119th): La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Crea…

What It Does: The bill directs the Interior Department to sell specified Bureau of Land Management land (about 3,400 acres) to La Paz County for fair market value. It tells Interior to exclude any parcels with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreation resources; requires coordination with the Colorado River Indian Tribes on any artifacts found; withdraws the land from new mining and mineral leasing; and deposits sale proceeds in the federal land-disposal account. The county covers appraisal and administrative costs. [1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.1043 (119th): La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Crea…[4]Congress.gov — H. Rept. 119-183 — La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation A…

Why It Matters: Backers say adding county-controlled land next to new transmission (the Ten West Link) can speed large-scale solar projects, bring construction jobs, and generate local revenue—while the artifact protections formalize a working partnership with the Colorado River Indian Tribes. [5]Office of Sen. Mark Kelly — Kelly, Gallego Introduce Bill to Expand Economic Op…

• Arizona delegation backers: Rep. Paul Gosar (sponsor) and Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert; in the Senate, Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. Supporters frame the bill as a way to create jobs, add up to ~500 MW of solar plus storage, and power ~75,000 homes. [2]Congress.gov — All Actions (H.R.1043, 119th Congress)[5]Office of Sen. Mark Kelly — Kelly, Gallego Introduce Bill to Expand Economic Op…[6]Office of Sen. Ruben Gallego — Gallego, Kelly Introduce Bill to Expand Economic…
• Local/tribal stakeholders: La Paz County leaders and the Colorado River Indian Tribes have publicly supported moving forward with development while protecting cultural resources. [5]Office of Sen. Mark Kelly — Kelly, Gallego Introduce Bill to Expand Economic Op…[6]Office of Sen. Ruben Gallego — Gallego, Kelly Introduce Bill to Expand Economic…

• Recorded opposition: None prominent during floor action; the bill passed the House and later the Senate by voice vote, suggesting broad, low-profile opposition. [2]Congress.gov — All Actions (H.R.1043, 119th Congress)[3]Senate Democratic Caucus — Wrap Up for Tuesday, December 16, 2025
• Context from prior Congress: The Interior Department previously said it supported the goal of more solar but had concerns with the approach in an earlier, substantially similar bill (e.g., land not flagged for disposal in the local plan and overlapping active solar applications). Those concerns were about an earlier version but illustrate the trade‑offs agencies weigh. [7]U.S. Department of the Interior — Pending Legislation (DOI testimony context on…

What’s Next: The Senate passed H.R. 1043 on December 16, 2025; having already passed the House (July 21, 2025), the measure now goes to the President for signature. If signed, Interior would complete the appraisal and conveyance steps laid out in the bill. [3]Senate Democratic Caucus — Wrap Up for Tuesday, December 16, 2025[2]Congress.gov — All Actions (H.R.1043, 119th Congress)