Floor SpeechNeutral2026-09-14

NORTHERN NEVADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 2026

EnvironmentAgriculture

Context

On 2026-09-14, Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-3) delivered a floor speech titled "NORTHERN NEVADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 2026" in the House.

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NORTHERN NEVADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 2026

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5586-H5598] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NORTHERN NEVADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 2026 Mr. AMODEI of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2317) to provide for transfer of ownership of certain Federal lands in northern Nevada, to authorize the disposal of certain Federal lands in northern Nevada for economic development, to promote conservation in northern Nevada, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2317 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2026''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--DOUGLAS COUNTY Sec. 101. Purpose. Sec. 102. Definitions. Subtitle A--Land Conveyances and Sales Sec. 111. Conveyance to State of Nevada. Sec. 112. Conveyance to Douglas County, Nevada. Sec. 113. Sale of certain Federal land. Sec. 114. Open Space Recreation Area. Subtitle B--Tribal Cultural Resources Sec. 121. Transfer of land to be held in trust for Tribe. Subtitle C--Resolution of Burbank Canyons Wilderness Study Area Sec. 131. Addition to National Wilderness Preservation System. Sec. 132. Administration. Sec. 133. Fish and wildlife management. Sec. 134. Release of wilderness study area. Sec. 135. Native American cultural and religious uses. Subtitle D--Convey Forest Service Land for Public Purposes Sec. 141. Authority of Forest Service to convey to State or county for public purposes. Sec. 142. Special use authorizations for recreation and other purposes. TITLE II--INCLINE VILLAGE FIRE PROTECTION Sec. 201. Purpose. Sec. 202. Definitions. Sec. 203. Land conveyances for public purposes. TITLE III--NORTHERN NEVADA FLOOD PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT Sec. 301. Purpose. Sec. 302. Definitions. Sec. 303. Land conveyances for flood protection. TITLE IV--CARSON CITY PUBLIC LANDS CORRECTION Sec. 401. Definitions. [[Page H5587]] Sec. 402. Land conveyances. Sec. 403. Carson City street connector conveyance. Sec. 404. Amendment to reversionary interests. Sec. 405. Disposal of Federal land. Sec. 406. Transfer of land to the United States. Sec. 407. Disposition of proceeds. Sec. 408. Postponement; exclusion from sale. TITLE V--PERSHING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION Sec. 501. Short title. Sec. 502. Definitions. Sec. 503. Findings. Subtitle A--Land Sales and Exchanges Sec. 511. Sale or exchange of eligible land. Sec. 512. Sale of encumbered land. Sec. 513. Disposition of proceeds. Subtitle B--Wilderness Areas Sec. 521. Additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Sec. 522. Administration. Sec. 523. Wildlife management. Sec. 524. Release of wilderness study areas. Sec. 525. Native American cultural and religious uses. TITLE VI--FEDERAL COMPLEX Sec. 601. Federal complex. TITLE VII--ELKO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Sec. 701. Short title. Sec. 702. Definitions. Sec. 703. Land conveyances to the City of Elko. Sec. 704. Land conveyances to Elko County. TITLE VIII--FERNLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Sec. 801. Short title. Sec. 802. Land conveyances. TITLE IX--CONVEYANCES TO THE CITY OF SPARKS Sec. 901. Definitions. Sec. 902. Conveyance of land for use as a public cemetery. Sec. 903. Conveyance of land for use as regional public parks. TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 1001. Administration of State water rights. Sec. 1002. Amendment to conveyance of Federal land in Storey County, Nevada. Sec. 1003. Maps and legal descriptions. Sec. 1004. Minor errors. TITLE XI--GREENLINK WEST PROJECT Sec. 1101. Greenlink West Project. TITLE XII--JEAN PRISON TRANSFER Sec. 1201. Release of Federal reversionary land interests. TITLE I--DOUGLAS COUNTY SEC. 101. PURPOSE. The purpose of this title is to promote conservation, improve public land, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County, Nevada, and for other purposes. SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) County.--The term ``County'' means Douglas County, Nevada. (2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act'' and dated July 10, 2026. (3) Public land.--The term ``public land'' has the meaning given the term ``public lands'' in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702). (4) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' means-- (A) with respect to National Forest System land, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service); and (B) with respect to land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, including land held in trust for the benefit of the Tribe, the Secretary of the Interior. (5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada. (6) Tribe.--The term ``Tribe'' means the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. (7) Wilderness.--The term ``Wilderness'' means the Burbank Canyons Wilderness designated by section 131(a). Subtitle A--Land Conveyances and Sales SEC. 111. CONVEYANCE TO STATE OF NEVADA. (a) Conveyance.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary concerned shall convey to the State, without consideration and by quitclaim deed, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the land described in subsection (b). (b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in subsection (a) is the approximately 67 acres of Forest Service land generally depicted as ``Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park'' on the Map. (c) Costs.--As a condition of the conveyance under subsection (a), the State shall pay all costs associated with the conveyance, including costs of surveys, appraisals, environmental response and restoration, and administrative costs (including closing fees). (d) Use of Land.-- (1) In general.--The land conveyed to the State under subsection (a) shall be used only for-- (A) the conservation of wildlife or natural resources; (B) a public park; or (C) both. (2) Facilities.--Any facility on the land conveyed under subsection (a) shall be constructed and managed in a manner consistent with the uses described in paragraph (1). (e) Easements.--As a condition of conveyance of the land under subsection (a), access easements for roads and trails shall be reserved in the applicable deed at the discretion of the Secretary concerned. (f) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary concerned. (g) Minor Errors.--The Secretary concerned, in consultation with the State, may-- (1) make minor boundary adjustments to the land to be conveyed under subsection (a); and (2) correct any minor errors in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description of the land to be conveyed under that subsection. (h) Reversion.--If any portion of the land conveyed under subsection (a) is used in a manner that is inconsistent with the uses described in subsection (d), the land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary concerned, revert to the United States. (i) Additional Terms and Conditions.--With respect to the conveyance of land under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may require such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary concerned determines to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. SEC. 112. CONVEYANCE TO DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA. (a) Definition of Federal Land.--In this section, the term ``Federal land'' means the approximately 7,777 acres of Federal land in the County that is identified as ``Douglas County Land Conveyances'' on the Map. (b) Authorization of Conveyance.--Subject to valid existing rights and notwithstanding the land use planning requirements of section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712), on receipt of a request from the County for the conveyance of the Federal land, the Secretary concerned shall convey to the County, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land. (c) Costs.--The County shall pay any costs relating to the conveyance authorized under subsection (b), including costs of surveys, appraisals, environmental response and restoration, and administrative costs (including closing fees). (d) Use of Federal Land.-- (1) In general.--The Federal land conveyed under subsection (b)-- (A) shall not be used by the County for purposes other than flood control, recreation, or any other public purpose consistent with the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the ``Recreation and Public Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.); and (B) shall not be disposed of by the County. (2) Reversion.--If the Federal land conveyed under subsection (b) is used in a manner inconsistent with paragraph (1), the Federal land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary concerned, revert to the United States. (e) Easements.--As a condition of conveyance of the Federal land under subsection (b), access easements for roads and trails shall be reserved in the applicable deed at the discretion of the Secretary concerned. (f) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (b) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary concerned. (g) Minor Errors.--The Secretary concerned, in consultation with the County, may-- (1) make minor boundary adjustments to the Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (b); and (2) correct any minor errors in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description of the Federal land to be conveyed under that subsection. (h) Additional Terms and Conditions.--With respect to the conveyanc

Referenced legislation: HR2317, HR2317, HR2570

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NORTHERN NEVADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 2026 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5586-H5598] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NORTHERN NEVADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 2026 Mr. AMODEI of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2317) to provide for transfer of ownership of certain Federal lands in northern Nevada, to authorize the disposal of certain Federal lands in northern Nevada for economic development, to promote conservation in northern Nevada, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2317 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2026''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--DOUGLAS COUNTY Sec. 101. Purpose. Sec. 102. Definitions. Subtitle A--Land Conveyances and Sales Sec. 111. Conveyance to State of Nevada. Sec. 112. Conveyance to Douglas County, Nevada. Sec. 113. Sale of certain Federal land. Sec. 114. Open Space Recreation Area. Subtitle B--Tribal Cultural Resources Sec. 121. Transfer of land to be held in trust for Tribe. Subtitle C--Resolution of Burbank Canyons Wilderness Study Area Sec. 131. Addition to National Wilderness Preservation System. Sec. 132. Administration. Sec. 133. Fish and wildlife management. Sec. 134. Release of wilderness study area. Sec. 135. Native American cultural and religious uses. Subtitle D--Convey Forest Service Land for Public Purposes Sec. 141. Authority of Forest Service to convey to State or county for public purposes. Sec. 142. Special use authorizations for recreation and other purposes. TITLE II--INCLINE VILLAGE FIRE PROTECTION Sec. 201. Purpose. Sec. 202. Definitions. Sec. 203. Land conveyances for public purposes. TITLE III--NORTHERN NEVADA FLOOD PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT Sec. 301. Purpose. Sec. 302. Definitions. Sec. 303. Land conveyances for flood protection. TITLE IV--CARSON CITY PUBLIC LANDS CORRECTION Sec. 401. Definitions. [[Page H5587]] Sec. 402. Land conveyances. Sec. 403. Carson City street connector conveyance. Sec. 404. Amendment to reversionary interests. Sec. 405. Disposal of Federal land. Sec. 406. Transfer of land to the United States. Sec. 407. Disposition of proceeds. Sec. 408. Postponement; exclusion from sale. TITLE V--PERSHING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION Sec. 501. Short title. Sec. 502. Definitions. Sec. 503. Findings. Subtitle A--Land Sales and Exchanges Sec. 511. Sale or exchange of eligible land. Sec. 512. Sale of encumbered land. Sec. 513. Disposition of proceeds. Subtitle B--Wilderness Areas Sec. 521. Additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Sec. 522. Administration. Sec. 523. Wildlife management. Sec. 524. Release of wilderness study areas. Sec. 525. Native American cultural and religious uses. TITLE VI--FEDERAL COMPLEX Sec. 601. Federal complex. TITLE VII--ELKO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Sec. 701. Short title. Sec. 702. Definitions. Sec. 703. Land conveyances to the City of Elko. Sec. 704. Land conveyances to Elko County. TITLE VIII--FERNLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Sec. 801. Short title. Sec. 802. Land conveyances. TITLE IX--CONVEYANCES TO THE CITY OF SPARKS Sec. 901. Definitions. Sec. 902. Conveyance of land for use as a public cemetery. Sec. 903. Conveyance of land for use as regional public parks. TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 1001. Administration of State water rights. Sec. 1002. Amendment to conveyance of Federal land in Storey County, Nevada. Sec. 1003. Maps and legal descriptions. Sec. 1004. Minor errors. TITLE XI--GREENLINK WEST PROJECT Sec. 1101. Greenlink West Project. TITLE XII--JEAN PRISON TRANSFER Sec. 1201. Release of Federal reversionary land interests. TITLE I--DOUGLAS COUNTY SEC. 101. PURPOSE. The purpose of this title is to promote conservation, improve public land, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County, Nevada, and for other purposes. SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) County.--The term ``County'' means Douglas County, Nevada. (2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act'' and dated July 10, 2026. (3) Public land.--The term ``public land'' has the meaning given the term ``public lands'' in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702). (4) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' means-- (A) with respect to National Forest System land, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service); and (B) with respect to land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, including land held in trust for the benefit of the Tribe, the Secretary of the Interior. (5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada. (6) Tribe.--The term ``Tribe'' means the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. (7) Wilderness.--The term ``Wilderness'' means the Burbank Canyons Wilderness designated by section 131(a). Subtitle A--Land Conveyances and Sales SEC. 111. CONVEYANCE TO STATE OF NEVADA. (a) Conveyance.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary concerned shall convey to the State, without consideration and by quitclaim deed, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the land described in subsection (b). (b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in subsection (a) is the approximately 67 acres of Forest Service land generally depicted as ``Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park'' on the Map. (c) Costs.--As a condition of the conveyance under subsection (a), the State shall pay all costs associated with the conveyance, including costs of surveys, appraisals, environmental response and restoration, and administrative costs (including closing fees). (d) Use of Land.-- (1) In general.--The land conveyed to the State under subsection (a) shall be used only for-- (A) the conservation of wildlife or natural resources; (B) a public park; or (C) both. (2) Facilities.--Any facility on the land conveyed under subsection (a) shall be constructed and managed in a manner consistent with the uses described in paragraph (1). (e) Easements.--As a condition of conveyance of the land under subsection (a), access easements for roads and trails shall be reserved in the applicable deed at the discretion of the Secretary concerned. (f) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary concerned. (g) Minor Errors.--The Secretary concerned, in consultation with the State, may-- (1) make minor boundary adjustments to the land to be conveyed under subsection (a); and (2) correct any minor errors in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description of the land to be conveyed under that subsection. (h) Reversion.--If any portion of the land conveyed under subsection (a) is used in a manner that is inconsistent with the uses described in subsection (d), the land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary concerned, revert to the United States. (i) Additional Terms and Conditions.--With respect to the conveyance of land under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may require such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary concerned determines to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. SEC. 112. CONVEYANCE TO DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA. (a) Definition of Federal Land.--In this section, the term ``Federal land'' means the approximately 7,777 acres of Federal land in the County that is identified as ``Douglas County Land Conveyances'' on the Map. (b) Authorization of Conveyance.--Subject to valid existing rights and notwithstanding the land use planning requirements of section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712), on receipt of a request from the County for the conveyance of the Federal land, the Secretary concerned shall convey to the County, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land. (c) Costs.--The County shall pay any costs relating to the conveyance authorized under subsection (b), including costs of surveys, appraisals, environmental response and restoration, and administrative costs (including closing fees). (d) Use of Federal Land.-- (1) In general.--The Federal land conveyed under subsection (b)-- (A) shall not be used by the County for purposes other than flood control, recreation, or any other public purpose consistent with the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the ``Recreation and Public Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.); and (B) shall not be disposed of by the County. (2) Reversion.--If the Federal land conveyed under subsection (b) is used in a manner inconsistent with paragraph (1), the Federal land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary concerned, revert to the United States. (e) Easements.--As a condition of conveyance of the Federal land under subsection (b), access easements for roads and trails shall be reserved in the applicable deed at the discretion of the Secretary concerned. (f) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (b) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary concerned. (g) Minor Errors.--The Secretary concerned, in consultation with the County, may-- (1) make minor boundary adjustments to the Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (b); and (2) correct any minor errors in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description of the Federal land to be conveyed under that subsection. (h) Additional Terms and Conditions.--With respect to the conveyanc Referenced legislation: HR2317, HR2317, HR2570