A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for other purposes.
Term Dictionary
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Summary
New bill proposes transferring 40 acres of National Forest land in Franklin County, Mississippi to a local government entity. The land transfer would happen at no cost and includes conditions about how the property can be used. This represents a small but specific change in federal land management in rural Mississippi.
Overview
- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey (transfer ownership of) approximately 40 acres of National Forest System land in Franklin County, Mississippi
- The land is currently part of the Homochitto National Forest
- Bill introduced July 24, 2025 and placed on Senate Legislative Calendar in October 2025
Who does this affect?
- Main groups: Franklin County, Mississippi residents and local government; U.S. Forest Service
- Who benefits: Local government receives federal land at no cost for potential community use
- Who loses: Federal government gives up ownership of 40 acres of public forest land
- Teen impact score: 1/10 (minimal teen connectionā€”local land transfer in rural Mississippi with no direct teen programs or services)
What This Bill Does
- Transfers approximately 40 acres of National Forest System land to a recipient (likely county or municipal government)
- Conveyance occurs at no cost to the recipient
- Land must be surveyed and appraised at fair market value before transfer
- Recipient must pay all survey and appraisal costs
- Transfer includes conditions on future land use and potential reversion clauses if terms are violated
Legislative Status
- Currently on Senate Legislative Calendar (Calendar No. 216) awaiting floor vote
- Has not yet been voted on by full Senate
In short
- Federal government would give 40 acres of Mississippi forest land to local government
- Transfer happens at no cost but recipient pays survey/appraisal expenses
- Land comes with strings attached about how it can be used
- Bill is waiting for Senate vote after committee approval
- Represents small shift from federal to local control of public land
Why should I care?
This bill shows how public land ownership can shift from federal to local control. While 40 acres is tiny compared to America's 193 million acres of National Forest, these transfers set precedents for how communities can acquire federal property. For Franklin County residents, this could mean new parks, facilities, or economic development. For conservation advocates, it raises questions about whether local governments will protect land as carefully as federal agencies. The no-cost transfer also means taxpayers essentially gift this land to one county, which some see as fair local empowerment and others view as giveaway of public assets.