Arizona counties gain cemetery land from federal forest, with reversion safeguards.

What it does

This bill transfers approximately 16.67 acres of federal forest land from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to two Arizona counties—Navajo County and Apache County—for use as cemeteries. Navajo County receives ~5 acres (Pinedale Cemetery) and Apache County receives ~8.17 acres (Alpine Cemetery). Both counties must request the land within specified timeframes, pay all survey and environmental costs, and use the land only as cemeteries or forfeit it back to the federal government.

Why we flagged it

The bill's sole operative mechanism is a straightforward transfer of federal forest land to two Arizona counties for cemetery purposes, with clear use restrictions and federal reversion rights. This is routine public-lands legislation serving a local government function.

What the text implies

• Reversion clause gives Secretary discretion to reclaim land if use deviates from cemetery purpose, creating potential future disputes over what constitutes 'inconsistent' use.
• Counties assume all survey and environmental compliance costs, which may be substantial for federal land conveyance and could burden smaller county budgets.
• Quitclaim deed (no warranty of title) transfers land as-is; counties accept any environmental liabilities not covered by CERCLA section 120(h) exemption, though exemption appears to shield them from pre-existing contamination.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Local communities gain cemetery capacity and land-use control for a legitimate public purpose (burial grounds), with environmental protections and reversion safeguards intact. The federal government retains oversight through use restrictions and reversion clauses, and counties bear all costs. This is a straightforward conveyance for a recognized public need.

Named in the bill

Navajo County, Arizona, Apache County, Arizona, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Secretary of Agriculture

Where it stands

• Mar 4, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Mar 4, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources”
• May 13, 2025 — Passed the House · Congress.gov: “On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1975-1976)”
• May 13, 2025 — Floor vote scheduled · Congress.gov: “Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill”
• Feb 12, 2026 — Hearing held · Congress.gov: “Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held”
• Mar 4, 2026 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a…”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.