Sponsors (2)
The bill quickly conveys a small parcel and its mineral rights to Tennessee at no cost—benefiting the state with faster acquisition and added resources—while foregoing appraisal, public review, potential federal revenue, and some environmental and oversight safeguards.
The State of Tennessee receives clear title to a 0.62-acre parcel and its mineral rights at no cost, increasing state-owned land and resources.
State agencies can obtain the parcel more quickly because the bill waives appraisal and other lengthy federal review requirements, reducing administrative delay.
Taxpayers and the public face reduced transparency and oversight because the bill sets a precedent for targeted conveyances that sidestep normal public review and accountability.
Taxpayers may forgo potential federal revenue because the conveyance waives appraisal and does not require consideration for the land or mineral rights.
Rural communities may face environmental risks and a loss of information about contamination or impacts because federal environmental and appraisal safeguards are bypassed.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to release a federal reversionary interest and quitclaim federal mineral rights in a specific 0.62-acre Chickasaw State Forest parcel to Tennessee, waiving usual procedural and review requirements.
Introduced January 28, 2025 by Marsha Blackburn · Last progress January 28, 2025
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to release a federal reversionary interest and to quitclaim any federal mineral interests in a specific ~0.62-acre parcel of Chickasaw State Forest in Henderson, Chester County, Tennessee, to the State of Tennessee without payment. The transfer is exempted from the usual appraisal, exploration, finding, and environmental review procedures but is conditioned on Tennessee reimbursing the United States for any administrative costs the federal government incurs.