119-HR-655 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 655 Dalles Watershed Development Act
A House-passed bill would transfer about 150 acres of Mount Hood National Forest land to the City of The Dalles for public uses—primarily to secure and expand its water system—with no purchase price, while requiring city payment of administrative costs and a reversion to the U.S. if misused. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — Text - H.R. 655 (Reported in House): Dalle…
Headline Summary
Transfers ~150 acres of federal land near The Dalles to the city—at no cost—to support its water supply and related public infrastructure; the House approved it by voice vote on December 9, 2025. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — Text - H.R. 655 (Reported in House): Dalle…[2]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives — House Floor Actions Log fo…
What It Does
The bill directs the U.S. Forest Service to convey about 150 acres in Mount Hood National Forest to the City of The Dalles if the city requests it within one year of enactment. The transfer would be by quitclaim deed, with no purchase price (“without consideration”). The city must pay administrative costs (including surveying). The land must be used for public purposes—such as municipal water supply and related infrastructure—or it reverts to the United States. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — Text - H.R. 655 (Reported in House): Dalle…
Why It Matters
Supporters say the transfer helps protect and expand the city’s primary drinking‑water system tied to the Crow Creek/South Fork Mill Creek watershed; committee materials note that a single reservoir supplies most of The Dalles’ annual water needs. [3]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — House Report 119-277 — Dalles Watershed De…
Who’s For It
- Sponsor: Rep. Cliff Bentz (R‑OR). [4]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R. 655 — Bill overview and sponsor
- House: Passed under “suspension of the rules” by voice vote on December 9, 2025—an approach typically used for broadly supported, noncontroversial bills. [2]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives — House Floor Actions Log fo…
- House Natural Resources Committee: Reported the bill with an amendment; committee report frames the need around safeguarding the city’s water supply; CBO estimated no budget effect. [3]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — House Report 119-277 — Dalles Watershed De…
Who’s Against It
- No recorded floor opposition in the House (voice vote; no roll call). [2]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives — House Floor Actions Log fo…
- Potential concerns often raised with federal‑to‑local land transfers include: setting precedents for disposing of public land, ensuring long‑term watershed protection, and maintaining public access. (These are general issues; no formal opposition specific to this bill is documented in the cited House actions.)
What’s Next
After House passage on December 9, 2025, the bill moves to the Senate for consideration. Note: As of December 10, 2025, Congress.gov’s overview page still listed the latest formal entry as September 15, 2025 (placement on the Union Calendar), but the House Clerk’s floor log confirms the December 9 voice vote. [5]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R. 655 — Congress.gov overview page (Lat…[2]Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives — House Floor Actions Log fo…
Tone
- [1] Text - H.R. 655 (Reported in House): Dalles Watershed Development Act Congress.gov (Library of Congress)
- [2] House Floor Actions Log for December 9, 2025 (includes H.R. 655 voice vote) Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
- [3] House Report 119-277 — Dalles Watershed Development Act (includes CBO estimate and background) Congress.gov (Library of Congress)
- [4] H.R. 655 — Bill overview and sponsor Congress.gov (Library of Congress)
- [5] H.R. 655 — Congress.gov overview page (Latest Action listing) Congress.gov (Library of Congress)
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