S. 277

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · January 28, 2025 · Sponsor: Mrs. Blackburn · Committee: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Table of contents

• S. 277
  • SEC. 1. Chester County reversionary and mineral interests release

SEC. 1. Chester County reversionary and mineral interests release

• Chester County reversionary and mineral interests release
• (a) Findings
  • Congress finds that—
    • within the parcel of State forest land located in Henderson, Chester County, Tennessee, a recent survey by the State determined that Bethel Baptist Church is encroaching on State-owned land in Chickasaw State Forest by approximately 19 inches;
    • the parcel described in paragraph (1) was conveyed to the State by the Department of Agriculture, which retained a reversionary interest in the land; and
    • it is necessary to release the interests of the United States in and to that land to resolve the encroachment issue described in paragraph (1).
• (b) Definitions
  • In this section:
  • Definitions
  • (1) Secretary
    • The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
    • Secretary
  • (2) State
    • The term State means the State of Tennessee.
    • State
  • (3) State forest land
    • The term State forest land means the approximately 0.62-acre parcel of land in Chickasaw State Forest that is identified as on the map prepared by the Forest Service entitled and dated December 13, 2019. The term means the approximately 0.62-acre parcel of land in Chickasaw State Forest that is identified as on the map prepared by the Forest Service entitled and dated December 13, 2019. State Forest Land State Forest Land Detail Map
    • State forest land
• (c) Release of reversionary interest
  • Release of reversionary interest
  • (1) Release
    • Release
    • (A) In general
      • The Secretary shall release, without consideration, the reversionary interest described in paragraph (2).
    • (B) Requirements
      • Notwithstanding any requirement for a grant of land under section 32(c) of The Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act () or any other provision of law, the release under subparagraph (A) shall occur without any appraisal, other report, or environmental or similar review being undertaken. 7 U.S.C. 1011(c)
  • (2) Description of reversionary interest
    • The reversionary interest referred to in paragraph (1)(A) is the reversionary interest of the United States in and to the State forest land that—
    • Description of reversionary interest
      • takes effect if the State forest land ceases to be used for public purposes; and
      • was created by the deed—
        • (i) granting from the United States to the State the State forest land;
        • (ii) dated August 12, 1955; and
        • (iii) registered on pages 588 through 591 of book 48 of the record of deeds for Chester County, Tennessee.
  • (3) Payment of costs
    • As a condition of the release under paragraph (1), the State shall pay to the United States any administrative costs incurred by the United States in carrying out the release.
• (d) Conveyance of mineral rights
  • Conveyance of mineral rights
  • (1) In general
    • Notwithstanding any requirement for the conveyance of Federal mineral interests under section 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (), part 2720 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), or any other provision of law, the Secretary shall convey to the State, by quitclaim deed, without warranty, and without consideration, the mineral interest in the State forest land owned by the United States. 43 U.S.C. 1719
  • (2) Requirements
    • Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conveyance under paragraph (1) shall occur—
      • without any exploratory program as to the character of the mineral deposits in the land;
      • without any findings as to known mineral values and mineral development of the land; and
      • without any appraisal, other report, or environmental or similar review being undertaken by the Secretary.
  • (3) Payment of costs
    • As a condition of the conveyance under paragraph (1), the State shall pay to the United States any administrative costs incurred by the United States in carrying out the conveyance.