Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2021
Bill: S.550 | Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK)
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2021
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey specified property in Sitka, Alaska, to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium for use in connection with health and social services programs.
The conveyance shall not require any consideration from, or impose any obligation, term, or condition on, the consortium or allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property.
The consortium shall not be liable for any environmental contamination that occurred before the conveyance. Further, HHS shall not be liable for any environmental contamination from the date on which the consortium assumes control of, occupies, and uses the property.

To provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southeast 
  Alaska Regional Health Consortium located in Sitka, Alaska, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Southeast Alaska Regional Health 
Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY.

    (a) In General.--As soon as practicable, but not later than 2 
years, after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall 
convey to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium located in 
Sitka, Alaska (referred to in this Act as the ``Consortium''), all 
right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property 
described in section 3 for use in connection with health and social 
services programs.
    (b) Conditions.--The conveyance of the property under subsection 
(a)--
            (1) shall be made by warranty deed; and
            (2) shall not--
                    (A) require any consideration from the Consortium 
                for the property;
                    (B) impose any obligation, term, or condition on 
                the Consortium; or
                    (C) allow for any reversionary interest of the 
                United States in the property.
    (c) Effect on Any Quitclaim Deed.--The conveyance by the Secretary 
of title by warranty deed under subsection (a) shall, on the effective 
date of the conveyance, supersede and render of no future effect any 
quitclaim deed to the property described in section 3 executed by the 
Secretary and the Consortium.

SEC. 3. PROPERTY DESCRIBED.

    The property, including all land and appurtenances, described in 
this section is the property included in U.S. Survey 1496, lots 4 and 
7, partially surveyed T. 55 S., R. 63 E., Copper River Meridian, 
containing approximately 10.87 acres in Sitka, Alaska.

SEC. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY.

    (a) Liability.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, the Consortium shall not be liable for any soil, surface 
        water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the 
        disposal, release, or presence of any environmental 
        contamination on any portion of the property described in 
        section 3 on or before the date on which the property is 
        conveyed to the Consortium, except that the Secretary shall not 
        be liable for any contamination that occurred after the date 
        that the Consortium controlled, occupied, and used the 
        property.
            (2) Environmental contamination.--An environmental 
        contamination described in paragraph (1) includes any oil or 
        petroleum products, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, 
        hazardous waste, pollutants, toxic substances, solid waste, or 
        any other environmental contamination or hazard as defined in 
        any Federal or State of Alaska law.
    (b) Easement.--The Secretary shall be accorded any easement or 
access to the property conveyed under this Act as may be reasonably 
necessary to satisfy any retained obligation or liability of the 
Secretary.
    (c) Notice of Hazardous Substance Activity and Warranty.--In 
carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall comply with subparagraphs 
(A) and (B) of section 120(h)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
9620(h)(3)).

            Passed the Senate May 26, 2021.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
117th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 550

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