Okay, let’s break down H.R. 3187, a bill concerning a potential land transfer in Perry County, Arkansas, based on the information provided.
Headline: House Bill Seeks to Transfer Forest Service Land to Perry County, Arkansas
Summary:
H.R. 3187, titled “To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes,” proposes that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture be mandated to transfer a specific piece of land owned by the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives (hence “H.R.”) during the 119th Congress.
Key Elements Explained:
- Bill Number: H.R. 3187: This is the unique identifier for this specific bill in the House of Representatives. Every piece of legislation introduced in Congress gets a number.
- 119th Congress: This refers to the current session of Congress. Each Congress lasts for two years. The 119th Congress will convene in January 2025.
- Sponsor(s): The Bill was introduced on May 8, 2024, by Representative Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4].
- Secretary of Agriculture: The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA oversees national forests and grasslands, among other responsibilities related to agriculture and food.
- Forest Service: An agency within the USDA that manages national forests and grasslands.
- Perry County, Arkansas: A county located in central Arkansas. The bill specifically targets a land transfer to this county.
- Conveyance: In legal terms, this means the transfer of ownership of property from one party (the Forest Service) to another (Perry County).
- “And for other purposes”: This is a common phrase in legislation. It indicates that the bill may contain additional provisions or details beyond the core purpose of the land transfer. These “other purposes” could relate to things like specifying the exact boundaries of the land, setting conditions for the transfer, or designating how the county can use the land.
- IH: This likely means “Introduced House”. It designates that this is the original version of the bill as it was introduced in the House of Representatives. There could be amended versions later in the legislative process.
Possible Reasons for the Land Transfer:
Without the full text of the bill (which is accessible through the provided link), we can only speculate, but here are some common reasons why a county might seek to acquire federal land:
- Economic Development: The county might want to use the land for industrial development, a business park, or other projects that could create jobs and boost the local economy.
- Recreational Purposes: The county could develop the land for parks, trails, camping areas, or other recreational facilities for residents and tourists.
- Public Services: The county might need the land for a new school, fire station, or other essential public service.
- Infrastructure: The land could be needed for roads, utilities, or other infrastructure projects.
- Conservation/Preservation: Ironically, sometimes counties seek to acquire land to protect it from development or manage it for conservation purposes.
Legislative Process (Simplified):
- Introduction: The bill is introduced in the House of Representatives (as is the case here).
- Committee Review: The bill is typically referred to a relevant committee (e.g., the House Natural Resources Committee) that has jurisdiction over the subject matter. The committee may hold hearings, conduct research, and amend the bill.
- House Vote: If the committee approves the bill, it is sent to the full House for a vote.
- Senate Consideration: If the House passes the bill, it is sent to the Senate, where it goes through a similar committee review and voting process.
- Reconciliation (if necessary): If the House and Senate pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences.
- Final Vote: The reconciled bill is then sent back to both the House and Senate for a final vote.
- Presidential Action: If both chambers pass the same version of the bill, it is sent to the President, who can sign it into law or veto it.
Importance/Potential Impact:
- Local Economy and Land Use: The transfer could significantly impact Perry County’s economy, land use patterns, and future development.
- Forest Service Management: It would reduce the amount of land managed by the Forest Service in that area.
- Precedent: Depending on the specifics of the bill, it could set a precedent for future land transfers between the federal government and local governments.
How to Get More Information:
- Read the Full Text of the Bill: The link you provided (govinfo.gov) is the best place to find the complete text of H.R. 3187.
- Track the Bill’s Progress: Use the same govinfo.gov website or other legislative tracking services (like Congress.gov) to monitor the bill’s progress through Congress.
- Contact Your Representatives: Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to express your views on the bill.
- Follow News Reports: Local and national news outlets may cover the bill, especially if it progresses further through the legislative process.
In conclusion, H.R. 3187 is a bill that aims to transfer Forest Service land to Perry County, Arkansas. The specifics of the transfer and its potential impact are best understood by reading the full text of the bill and tracking its progress in Congress.
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-13 08:47, ‘H.R.3187(IH) – To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes.’ was published according to Congressional Bills. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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