January 28, 2025
Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Hagerty) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
October 27, 2025
Reported by Mr. Boozman, without amendment
To release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, 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. Chester County reversionary and mineral interests release
(a) Findings
Congress finds that—
(1)
within the parcel of State forest land located in Henderson, Chester County, Tennessee, a recent survey by the State determined that Bethel Baptist Church is encroaching on State-owned land in Chickasaw State Forest by approximately 19 inches;
(2)
the parcel described in paragraph (1) was conveyed to the State by the Department of Agriculture, which retained a reversionary interest in the land; and
(3)
it is necessary to release the interests of the United States in and to that land to resolve the encroachment issue described in paragraph (1).
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(2) State
The term State means the State of Tennessee.
(3) State forest land
The term State forest land means the approximately 0.62-acre parcel of land in Chickasaw State Forest that is identified as State Forest Land
on the map prepared by the Forest Service entitled State Forest Land Detail Map
and dated December 13, 2019.
(c) Release of reversionary interest
(1) Release
(A) In general
The Secretary shall release, without consideration, the reversionary interest described in paragraph (2).
(B) Requirements
Notwithstanding any requirement for a grant of land under section 32(c) of The Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011(c)) or any other provision of law, the release under subparagraph (A) shall occur without any appraisal, other report, or environmental or similar review being undertaken.
(2) Description of reversionary interest
The reversionary interest referred to in paragraph (1)(A) is the reversionary interest of the United States in and to the State forest land that—
(A)
takes effect if the State forest land ceases to be used for public purposes; and
(B)
was created by the deed—
(i)
granting from the United States to the State the State forest land;
(ii)
dated August 12, 1955; and
(iii)
registered on pages 588 through 591 of book 48 of the record of deeds for Chester County, Tennessee.
(3) Payment of costs
As a condition of the release under paragraph (1), the State shall pay to the United States any administrative costs incurred by the United States in carrying out the release.
(d) Conveyance of mineral rights
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any requirement for the conveyance of Federal mineral interests under section 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1719), part 2720 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), or any other provision of law, the Secretary shall convey to the State, by quitclaim deed, without warranty, and without consideration, the mineral interest in the State forest land owned by the United States.
(2) Requirements
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conveyance under paragraph (1) shall occur—
(A)
without any exploratory program as to the character of the mineral deposits in the land;
(B)
without any findings as to known mineral values and mineral development of the land; and
(C)
without any appraisal, other report, or environmental or similar review being undertaken by the Secretary.
(3) Payment of costs
As a condition of the conveyance under paragraph (1), the State shall pay to the United States any administrative costs incurred by the United States in carrying out the conveyance.