119-HR-3937 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 3937 Wabeno Economic Development Act
Would authorize selling about 14 acres of national forest land in Wisconsin to a local concrete supplier at market value and order a federal review of how stone, sand, and gravel projects are permitted; it passed the House 410–1 and just had a Senate subcommittee hearing on February 12, 2026. (congress.gov)
Public Summary: 119-HR-3937 (Wabeno Economic Development Act)
Headline Summary: A targeted land sale to keep a small business supplied—plus a look under the hood of federal permitting for stone, sand, and gravel. (congress.gov)
What It Does: The bill tells the U.S. Forest Service to sell roughly 14 acres inside Wisconsin’s Chequamegon‑Nicolet National Forest to Tony’s Wabeno Redi‑Mix, a nearby concrete supplier, if the company offers the federally appraised market value within 180 days of that appraisal’s approval. The deed would include mineral rights, and the buyer would cover appraisal, survey, and any required environmental review costs. Separately, the Interior Department must publish a report reviewing how stone, sand, and gravel projects are permitted on federal lands, including timelines and streamlining ideas. (congress.gov)
- Sponsor and local backers: Rep. Tom Tiffany (R‑WI) says the sale protects local jobs and keeps a key supplier operating; his office highlights limited private land in Forest County and a looming shortage of nearby aggregate. (tiffany.house.gov)
- Community support: House committee materials note support from the Wabeno Area Chamber of Commerce, the Forest County Economic Development Partnership, and the Town of Wabeno. (congress.gov)
- Bipartisan vote: The House approved the bill 410–1 on July 22, 2025, under suspension of the rules. (congress.gov)
Who’s For It:
- No major organized opposition has been documented so far; the bill cleared the House 410–1. (congress.gov)
- Contextual concerns: Conservation advocates in Wisconsin have, in other Chequamegon‑Nicolet debates, warned that expanding extraction or logging can harm older forests, wildlife habitat, and climate goals—concerns some may apply here even if not raised specifically on this bill. (wpr.org)
Who’s Against It:
What’s Next: As of February 13, 2026, the bill is in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; the Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee held a hearing on February 12, 2026. Next steps would be a subcommittee/committee markup and, if approved, a Senate floor vote. (congress.gov)
Discussion