A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for other purposes.

Bill: 119-s-2440
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]
Introduced: 2025-07-24
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2440 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 24, 2025 Mrs. Hyde-Smith introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for other purposes.

1. Okhissa Lake rural economic development land conveyance (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Alliance The term Alliance means the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance. (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture. (b) Request Subject to the requirements of this section, if the Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and the Secretary determines that it is in the public interest to convey the National Forest System land described in subsection (c), the Secretary shall convey to the Alliance all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the National Forest System land described in subsection (c) by quitclaim deed through a public or private sale, including a competitive sale by auction or bid. (c) Description of National Forest System land (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the National Forest System land referred to in subsection (b) is— (A) the approximately 137.7 acres of real property located in secs. 5 and 6, T. 5 N., R. 4 E., and sec. 31, T. 6 N., R. 4 E., Franklin County, Mississippi, as depicted on the map prepared for the Alliance by Marling Surveying, LLC, entitled Map of Survey of a 137.70 Acre Tract, a Portion of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Homochitto National Forest Tracts H–41g & H–307 , and dated September 16, 2024; and (B) the approximately 173 acres of real property located in secs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, T. 5 N., R. 4 E., Franklin County, Mississippi, as depicted on the map prepared for the Alliance by Marling Surveying, LLC, entitled Map of Survey of a +/− 173 Acre Tract, a Portion of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Homochitto National Forest Tracts H–1, H–3b, H–41g & H–307 , and dated September 16, 2024. (2) Survey The exact acreage and legal description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed under this section shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. (d) Consideration (1) In general The consideration for the conveyance of any National Forest System land under this section shall be— (A) provided in the form of cash; and (B) in an amount equal to the fair market value of the National Forest System land being conveyed, as determined under paragraph (2). (2) Fair market value determination The fair market value of the National Forest System land conveyed under this section shall be determined— (A) in the case of a method of conveyance described in subsection (b), by an appraisal that is— (i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and (ii) approved by the Secretary; or (B) in the case of a conveyance by a method other than a method described in subsection (b), by competitive sale. (e) Terms and conditions The conveyance under this section shall be subject to— (1) valid existing rights; and (2) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. (f) Proceeds from sale The Secretary shall deposit the proceeds of the conveyance of any National Forest System land under this section in the fund established under Public Law 90–171 (commonly known as the Sisk Act ) ( 16 U.S.C. 484a ). (g) Costs As a condition for the conveyance under this section, the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing— (1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and (2) the costs of any administrative or environmental analysis required by applicable law (including regulations).