Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-2793
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Introduced: 2021-04-22
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Connecticut

Department of the Interior

Executive agency funding and structure

Forests, forestry, trees

Geography and mapping

Land transfers

Land use and conservation

New Jersey

New York State

Pennsylvania

State and local government operations

Water quality

Watersheds

Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Latest action: action_date: 2022-04-27
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 352.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-04-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill extends through FY2028 the Highlands Conservation Act, which provides for land conservation in Highlands states (i.e., Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania).</p> <p>The bill authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Service to add a municipality to the Highlands region upon the request of a Highlands state.</p> <p>The bill revises the way in which land is identified for conservation to require using the best available science and geographic information systems.</p> <p>The bill allows political subdivisions of states to enter into agreements with the Department of the Interior for land conservation projects.</p> <p>A Highland state that receives funds for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5% of the funds to administer that project.</p> <p>The bill extends through FY2028 Forest Service and other Department of Agriculture programs to conserve land and natural resources in the Highlands region.</p>

action_date: 2022-04-25
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><b>Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill extends through FY2028 the Highlands Conservation Act, which provides for land conservation in Highlands states (i.e., Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania).</p> <p>The bill authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Service to add a municipality to the Highlands region upon the request of a Highlands state, with the concurrence of the municipality. </p> <p>The bill revises the way in which land is identified for conservation to require using the best available science and geographic information systems.</p> <p>The bill allows political subdivisions of states to enter into agreements with the Department of the Interior for land conservation projects.</p> <p>A Highland state that receives funds for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5% of the funds to administer that project.</p> <p>The bill extends through FY2028 Forest Service and other Department of Agriculture programs to conserve land and natural resources in the Highlands region. </p> <p>With respect to an appraisal related to a land acquisition carried out under this bill, a Highlands state shall use an appraisal methodology approved by the Department of the Interior.</p>

action_date: 2022-04-26
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022</strong></p> <p>This bill extends through FY2029 the Highlands Conservation Act, which provides for land conservation in Highlands states (i.e., Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania).</p> <p>The bill authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Service to add a municipality to the Highlands region upon the request of a Highlands state, with the concurrence of the municipality. </p> <p>The bill revises the way in which land is identified for conservation to require using the best available science and geographic information systems.</p> <p>The bill allows political subdivisions of states to enter into agreements with the Department of the Interior for land conservation projects.</p> <p>A Highland state that receives funds for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5% of the funds to administer that project.</p> <p>The bill extends through FY2029 Forest Service and other Department of Agriculture programs to conserve land and natural resources in the Highlands region. </p> <p>With respect to an appraisal related to a land acquisition carried out under this bill, a Highlands state shall use an appraisal methodology approved by the Department of the Interior.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2793 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 22, 2021 Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York (for himself, Ms. Dean , Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mr. Gottheimer , Mrs. Hayes , Ms. Houlahan , Mr. Jones , Mr. Malinowski , Mr. Meuser , Mr. Morelle , Mr. Nadler , Mr. Payne , Mr. Pascrell , Ms. Scanlon , Mr. Sires , Mr. Tonko , Ms. Velázquez , Mrs. Watson Coleman , and Ms. Wild ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act, to authorize States to use funds from that Act for administrative purposes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 . 2. Reauthorization of the Highlands Conservation Act The Highlands Conservation Act ( Public Law 108–421 ; 118 Stat. 2375) is amended— (1) in section 3— (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Highlands region The term Highlands region means— (A) the area depicted on the map entitled The Highlands Region , dated June 2004, updated after the date of enactment of the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 to comprise each municipality included on the list of municipalities included in the Highlands region as of that date of enactment, and maintained in the headquarters of the Forest Service in Washington, District of Columbia; and (B) a municipality approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under section 4(e). ; (B) in paragraph (3), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) identified by a Highlands State as having high conservation value using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (C) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ; or and inserting , including a political subdivision thereof; or ; and (D) by striking paragraphs (5) through (7); (2) in section 4— (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking in the Study and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (B) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: (5) provides that land conservation partnership projects will be consistent with areas identified as having high conservation value in accordance with the purposes described in section 2 in the Highlands region. ; (C) in subsection (e), by striking $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2021 and inserting $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2028 ; (D) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and (E) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Request for inclusion of additional municipality The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service may, at the request of a Highlands State, approve the inclusion of a municipality within the State as part of the Highlands region. (f) Limitation on administrative expenses (1) Federal administration The Secretary of the Interior may not expend more than $300,000 for the administration of this Act in each fiscal year. (2) State administration A State that receives funds under this section for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to administer the land conservation partnership project. ; (3) in section 5— (A) in subsection (a), by striking the Study, Update, and any future study that the Forest Service may undertake in ; (B) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), by striking , including a Pennsylvania and Connecticut Update ; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the findings and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting with stakeholders regarding implementation of the program; and ; and (C) in subsection (c), by striking 2005 through 2014 and inserting 2022 through 2028 ; and (4) in section 6, by adding at the end the following: (f) Appraisal methodology (1) In general With respect to an appraisal related to a land acquisition carried out under this Act, a Highlands State may use an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Alternative appraisal methodology A Highlands State may petition the Secretary of the Interior to consider an alternative appraisal methodology when there is a conflict, in any Highlands State, between— (A) an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior under paragraph (1); and (B) applicable State law. .

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 218 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 2793 [Report No. 117–296] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 22, 2021 Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York (for himself, Ms. Dean , Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mr. Gottheimer , Mrs. Hayes , Ms. Houlahan , Mr. Jones , Mr. Malinowski , Mr. Meuser , Mr. Morelle , Mr. Nadler , Mr. Payne , Mr. Pascrell , Ms. Scanlon , Mr. Sires , Mr. Tonko , Ms. Velázquez , Mrs. Watson Coleman , and Ms. Wild ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources April 25, 2022 Additional sponsors: Mr. Delgado , Mr. Larson of Connecticut , Mr. Cartwright , Mr. Courtney , and Mr. Himes April 25, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 22, 2021 A BILL To reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act, to authorize States to use funds from that Act for administrative purposes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 . 2. Reauthorization of the Highlands Conservation Act The Highlands Conservation Act ( Public Law 108–421 ; 118 Stat. 2375) is amended— (1) in section 3— (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Highlands region The term Highlands region means— (A) the area depicted on the map entitled The Highlands Region , dated June 2004, updated after the date of enactment of the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 to comprise each municipality included on the list of municipalities included in the Highlands region as of that date of enactment, and maintained in the headquarters of the Forest Service in Washington, District of Columbia; and (B) a municipality approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under section 4(e). ; (B) in paragraph (3), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) identified by a Highlands State as having high conservation value using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (C) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ; or and inserting , including a political subdivision thereof; or ; and (D) by striking paragraphs (5) through (7); (2) in section 4— (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking in the Study and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (B) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: (5) provides that land conservation partnership projects will be consistent with areas identified as having high conservation value in accordance with the purposes described in section 2 in the Highlands region. ; (C) in subsection (e), by striking fiscal years 2005 through 2021 and inserting fiscal years 2022 through 2028 ; (D) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and (E) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Request for inclusion of additional municipality The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service may, at the request of a Highlands State, with the concurrence of the municipality, approve the inclusion of a municipality within the State as part of the Highlands region. (f) Limitation on administrative expenses (1) Federal administration The Secretary of the Interior may not expend more than $300,000 for the administration of this Act in each fiscal year. (2) State administration A State that receives funds under this section for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to administer the land conservation partnership project. ; (3) in section 5— (A) in subsection (a), by striking the Study, Update, and any future study that the Forest Service may undertake in ; (B) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), by striking , including a Pennsylvania and Connecticut Update ; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the findings and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting with stakeholders regarding implementation of the program; and ; and (C) in subsection (c), by striking 2005 through 2014 and inserting 2022 through 2028 ; and (4) in section 6, by adding at the end the following: (f) Appraisal methodology (1) In general With respect to an appraisal related to a land acquisition carried out under this Act, a Highlands State shall use an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Alternative appraisal methodology A Highlands State may petition the Secretary of the Interior to consider an alternative appraisal methodology when there is a conflict, in any Highlands State, between— (A) an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior under paragraph (1); and (B) applicable State law. .

April 25, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 2793 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act, to authorize States to use funds from that Act for administrative purposes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022 . 2. Reauthorization of the Highlands Conservation Act The Highlands Conservation Act ( Public Law 108–421 ; 118 Stat. 2375) is amended— (1) in section 3— (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Highlands region The term Highlands region means— (A) the area depicted on the map entitled The Highlands Region , dated June 2004, updated after the date of enactment of the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022 to comprise each municipality included on the list of municipalities included in the Highlands region as of that date of enactment, and maintained in the headquarters of the Forest Service in Washington, District of Columbia; and (B) a municipality approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under section 4(e). ; (B) in paragraph (3), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) identified by a Highlands State as having high conservation value using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (C) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ; or and inserting , including a political subdivision thereof; or ; and (D) by striking paragraphs (5) through (7); (2) in section 4— (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking in the Study and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (B) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: (5) provides that land conservation partnership projects will be consistent with areas identified as having high conservation value in accordance with the purposes described in section 2 in the Highlands region. ; (C) in subsection (e), by striking fiscal years 2005 through 2021 and inserting fiscal years 2023 through 2029 ; (D) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and (E) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Request for inclusion of additional municipality The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service may, at the request of a Highlands State, with the concurrence of the municipality, approve the inclusion of a municipality within the State as part of the Highlands region. (f) Limitation on administrative expenses (1) Federal administration The Secretary of the Interior may not expend more than $300,000 for the administration of this Act in each fiscal year. (2) State administration A State that receives funds under this section for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to administer the land conservation partnership project. ; (3) in section 5— (A) in subsection (a), by striking the Study, Update, and any future study that the Forest Service may undertake in ; (B) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), by striking , including a Pennsylvania and Connecticut Update ; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the findings and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting with stakeholders regarding implementation of the program; and ; and (C) in subsection (c), by striking 2005 through 2014 and inserting 2023 through 2029 ; and (4) in section 6, by adding at the end the following: (f) Appraisal methodology (1) In general With respect to an appraisal related to a land acquisition carried out under this Act, a Highlands State shall use an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Alternative appraisal methodology A Highlands State may petition the Secretary of the Interior to consider an alternative appraisal methodology when there is a conflict, in any Highlands State, between— (A) an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior under paragraph (1); and (B) applicable State law. .

Passed the House of Representatives April 26, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 352 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 2793 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 27, 2022 Received; read twice and placed on the calendar AN ACT To reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act, to authorize States to use funds from that Act for administrative purposes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022 . 2. Reauthorization of the Highlands Conservation Act The Highlands Conservation Act ( Public Law 108–421 ; 118 Stat. 2375) is amended— (1) in section 3— (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Highlands region The term Highlands region means— (A) the area depicted on the map entitled The Highlands Region , dated June 2004, updated after the date of enactment of the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022 to comprise each municipality included on the list of municipalities included in the Highlands region as of that date of enactment, and maintained in the headquarters of the Forest Service in Washington, District of Columbia; and (B) a municipality approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under section 4(e). ; (B) in paragraph (3), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) identified by a Highlands State as having high conservation value using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (C) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ; or and inserting , including a political subdivision thereof; or ; and (D) by striking paragraphs (5) through (7); (2) in section 4— (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking in the Study and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (B) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: (5) provides that land conservation partnership projects will be consistent with areas identified as having high conservation value in accordance with the purposes described in section 2 in the Highlands region. ; (C) in subsection (e), by striking fiscal years 2005 through 2021 and inserting fiscal years 2023 through 2029 ; (D) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and (E) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Request for inclusion of additional municipality The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service may, at the request of a Highlands State, with the concurrence of the municipality, approve the inclusion of a municipality within the State as part of the Highlands region. (f) Limitation on administrative expenses (1) Federal administration The Secretary of the Interior may not expend more than $300,000 for the administration of this Act in each fiscal year. (2) State administration A State that receives funds under this section for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to administer the land conservation partnership project. ; (3) in section 5— (A) in subsection (a), by striking the Study, Update, and any future study that the Forest Service may undertake in ; (B) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), by striking , including a Pennsylvania and Connecticut Update ; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the findings and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting with stakeholders regarding implementation of the program; and ; and (C) in subsection (c), by striking 2005 through 2014 and inserting 2023 through 2029 ; and (4) in section 6, by adding at the end the following: (f) Appraisal methodology (1) In general With respect to an appraisal related to a land acquisition carried out under this Act, a Highlands State shall use an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Alternative appraisal methodology A Highlands State may petition the Secretary of the Interior to consider an alternative appraisal methodology when there is a conflict, in any Highlands State, between— (A) an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior under paragraph (1); and (B) applicable State law. .

Passed the House of Representatives April 26, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

April 27, 2022 Received; read twice and placed on the calendar