Pub. L. 119-68 - La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

119th Congress

Affects: 43 U.S.C. §§ 1701, 1712, 1713, 2301, 2305

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act”.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) The term “County” means La Paz County, Arizona.

(2) The term “Federal land” means the approximately 3,400 acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and designated as “Federal Land to be Conveyed” on the map.

(3) The term “map” means the map prepared by the Bureau of Land Management entitled “BLM Arizona—La Paz County Land Conveyance Map” and dated June 29, 2023.

SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE TO LA PAZ COUNTY, ARIZONA.

(a) Notwithstanding the planning requirement of sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712, 1713) and in accordance with this section and other applicable law, as soon as practicable after receiving a request from the County to convey the Federal land, the Secretary shall convey the Federal land to the County.

(b)(1) The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be subject to—

(b)(1)(A) valid existing rights; and

(b)(1)(B) such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

(b)(2) The Secretary shall exclude from the conveyance under subsection (a) any Federal land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.

(c) The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be for the fair market value of the Federal land to be conveyed, as determined—

(c)(1) in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and

(c)(2) Determination.Appraisal.based on an appraisal that is conducted in accordance with—

(c)(2)(A) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and

(c)(2)(B) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

(d) As a condition of the conveyance under subsection (a), the County shall, and as a condition of any subsequent conveyance, any subsequent owner shall—

(d)(1) make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing Tribal artifacts;

(d)(2) minimize impacts on Tribal artifacts if they are disturbed;

(d)(3) coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify artifacts of cultural and historic significance; and

(d)(4) allow Tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at or near where they were discovered.

(e)(1) The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.

(e)(2) The Secretary and the County may, by mutual agreement—

(e)(2)(A) make minor boundary adjustments to the Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (a); and

(e)(2)(B) correct any minor errors in the map, an acreage estimate, or the description of the Federal land.

(f) The Federal land is withdrawn from the operation of the mining and mineral leasing laws of the United States.

(g) As a condition of the conveyance of the Federal land under subsection (a), the County shall pay—

(g)(1) an amount equal to the appraised value determined in accordance with subsection (c)(2); and

(g)(2) all costs related to the conveyance, including all surveys, appraisals, and other administrative costs associated with the conveyance of the Federal land to the County under subsection (a).

(h) The proceeds from the sale of land under this section shall be—

(h)(1) deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account established by section 206(a) of the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (43 U.S.C. 2305(a)); and

(h)(2) used in accordance with that Act (43 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).

Legislative History

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1043:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 171 (2025):

July 21, considered and passed House.

Dec. 16, considered and passed Senate.