Sponsor
Eli Crane
Representative · R-AZ
Representative · R-AZ
The bill transfers ~232.9 acres of National Forest land to Gila County at no purchase cost to enable local veteran services and planning control, while shifting financial risks and removing public forest land from federal management—trading expanded veteran-focused facilities for reduced public access and increased local fiscal and legal liability.
Veterans and nearby rural communities: Gila County receives ~232.9 acres at no purchase cost and retains planning control, enabling creation or expansion of local veteran-focused facilities and improving access to veteran services.
Taxpayers and the federal budget: The federal government avoids acquisition and transfer costs because the county will cover survey, environmental review, and NHPA compliance expenses, producing modest federal taxpayer savings.
Residents, recreationists, and conservation interests: About 232.9 acres of National Forest land would be removed from the federal public forest estate, reducing land available for public recreation, conservation, and multiple uses.
Gila County and local taxpayers: The county must pay all survey, environmental, and NHPA compliance costs and accepts a quitclaim deed with no covenant or warranty, exposing local government to substantial up-front costs and potential liability for unknown contamination or title defects.
Non-veteran local residents and community planners: The land is limited to use solely for serving veterans, which restricts broader community benefits and risks the land sitting unused if veteran-focused plans are not realized.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Transfers ~232.9 acres of Tonto National Forest land to Gila County for veteran-serving uses if the county requests conveyance within 180 days and pays transfer costs.
Transfers about 232.9 acres of Tonto National Forest land to Gila County, Arizona by quitclaim deed at no purchase price if the County requests the conveyance within 180 days of enactment. The conveyance is subject to existing rights, a Secretary-approved survey and map, and any terms needed to protect U.S. interests. The county must pay all costs of the transfer (survey, environmental reviews, NHPA compliance, and other conveyance costs). The conveyed land must be used solely to serve and support veterans and the Secretary may require reversion if the use is inconsistent with that restriction.
Official title: To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona.
Introduced January 31, 2025 by Eli Crane · Last progress February 4, 2026