Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to release the United States’ reversionary interest in approximately 31.83 acres of land in Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, if the State of Wisconsin agrees to convey that land to Deli, Inc. in exchange for roughly 37.27 acres (the “Deli land”) that would be added to the state forest.
If the State offers such a written agreement, the Secretary must promptly provide a quitclaim deed conveying any U.S. interest in the State forest land without consideration and before the exchange deeds are recorded.
The Secretary may correct the legal description of the State forest land in consultation with the State to effectuate the deed.
Based solely on the bill text, this is a narrow, administrative land conveyance that does not create ongoing federal obligations, large expenditures, or contentious policy changes — characteristics that historically make enactment more likely. The conditional structure and deference to state approvals reduce sources of federal controversy. The main risks are procedural delays in the Senate, possible local opposition or unresolved title/environmental details, and any competing floor priorities.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive change that directs an agency to release a federal reversionary interest in specified parcels conditioned on a State-initiated exchange. It is precise about the parcels and the form and sequencing of the conveyance, but it omits fiscal acknowledgement, firm timelines, and several contingency or oversight provisions.
Whether releasing the federal reversionary interest creates an unacceptable precedent for converting conservation land to private commercial use (progressive concern vs conservative acceptance).
Whether releasing the federal reversionary interest creates an unacceptable precedent for converting conservation land to private commercial use (progressive concern vs conservative acceptance).
A liberal-left perspective would approach the bill with caution.
The bill facilitates a land swap that would allow a private sphagnum moss business to acquire former state forest parcels by removing a federal reversionary constraint; while it also adds different parcels to the state forest, the text does not require environmental review, public-access guarantees, or conservation protections for the parcel being transferred to the private company.
Supporters on the left might accept the swap if it clearly preserves (or improves) conservation values and public access; absent those assurances, the bill raises concerns about precedent for converting public conservation land to private commercial use.
A centrist/ moderate would view this bill pragmatically: it is a targeted, narrow legal fix allowing a specific land exchange if the State agrees.
The centrist will weigh local economic benefits and state-led land management against the need to protect public conservation values and ensure procedural safeguards.
If the State DNR process and required state approvals are robust and the swap results in net public benefit, a centrist would be inclined to support it; absent clear parity or environmental review, they would want additional safeguards.
A mainstream conservative would generally view the bill favorably.
It respects state authority and property transactions, facilitates economic activity for a local business, and removes an outdated federal restriction that impedes a mutually agreed land swap.
Because the bill is narrow and procedural (providing a quitclaim deed if the State and company agree), a conservative would likely see this as sensible deference to state decisionmaking and local economic priorities.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Based solely on the bill text, this is a narrow, administrative land conveyance that does not create ongoing federal obligations, large expenditures, or contentious policy changes — characteristics that historically make enactment more likely. The conditional structure and deference to state approvals reduce sources of federal controversy. The main risks are procedural delays in the Senate, possible local opposition or unresolved title/environmental details, and any competing floor priorities.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Whether releasing the federal reversionary interest creates an unacceptable precedent for converting conservation land to private commercia…
Based solely on the bill text, this is a narrow, administrative land conveyance that does not create ongoing federal obligations, large exp…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive change that directs an agency to release a federal reversionary interest in specified parcels conditioned on a State-initiated excha…
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