119-HR-1829 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary: 119-HR-1829

Headline Summary: Transfers small pieces of U.S. Forest Service land to Apache County and Navajo County, Arizona, strictly for cemetery use, with the land reverting to the United States if used for anything else. (congress.gov)

What It Does: The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey two parcels near existing cemeteries—one in Pinedale (Navajo County) and one in Alpine (Apache County)—by quitclaim deed at no purchase price (“without consideration”). The counties must cover conveyance costs (surveys and any required environmental analyses), use the land only as cemeteries, and a reversion clause returns the property to the United States if that condition is violated. The bill also states the transfer is not subject to CERCLA §120(h) deed covenants. (congress.gov)

Who’s For It:

• Sponsor Rep. Eli Crane (R‑AZ‑2), who advanced the measure to address limited burial space in the Pinedale and Alpine communities. (congress.gov)
• House of Representatives, which passed the bill by voice vote under suspension of the rules on May 13, 2025—typically used for broadly supported, noncontroversial measures. (congress.gov)
• Local advocates in Alpine and Pinedale who have sought small expansions to keep burials close to home; similar needs were documented in prior Congress work on an earlier version of the bill. (arizonadailyindependent.com)

Who’s Against It:

• No organized opposition was recorded during House passage (voice vote; no amendments). (congress.gov)
• Some public‑lands groups generally oppose transferring federal lands out of federal ownership on principle—citing risks to long‑term public access and management—even when parcels are small or for local uses. (This is a general position, not specific testimony on this bill.) (trcp.org)
• Policy officials often prefer transfers at fair market value or with tight conditions; Interior has expressed such views in other land‑transfer debates. (Context from a different bill’s testimony.) (doi.gov)

What’s Next: The bill has passed the House and, on February 12, 2026, received a hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. It now awaits further action (such as a markup) in the Senate committee before any potential floor vote. (energy.senate.gov)