S 2440
· 119th Congress
· Public Lands and Natural Resources
A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for other purposes.
Sponsor
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 216.
Action timeline
Every recorded action on this bill, newest first. Stage badges color-code the legislative path.
Oct 27, 2025
committee
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Oct 27, 2025
other
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 216.
Oct 21, 2025
committee
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Jul 24, 2025
introduced
Introduced in Senate
Jul 24, 2025
introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Text versions
Each stage of the bill — official text published by GPO. Click any format to read on congress.gov / govinfo.
Changelog
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih / is — Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh / rfs — Referred to a committee for review.rh / rs — Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs / pch — Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh / es — Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh / rds — Received by the other chamber.eah / eas — Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath / ats — Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr — Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl — Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp — Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih/is— Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh/rfs— Referred to a committee for review.rh/rs— Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs/pch— Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh/es— Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh/rds— Received by the other chamber.eah/eas— Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath/ats— Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr— Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl— Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp— Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
Line-level diff between text versions of this bill — what actually changed at each legislative stage.
+190
−45
32 unchanged
--- Introduced (Senate)
+++ Reported (Senate)
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
-[S. 2440 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
+[S. 2440 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
+Calendar No. 216
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2440
@@ -20,6 +21,12 @@
Mrs. Hyde-Smith 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, with an amendment
+[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
+in italic]
+
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
@@ -31,25 +38,108 @@
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
-SECTION 1. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND CONVEYANCE.
-
-(a) Definitions.--In this section:
-(1) Alliance.--The term ``Alliance'' means the Scenic
-Rivers Development Alliance.
-(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
-of Agriculture.
-(b) Request.--Subject to the requirements of this section, if the
-Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by not later than 180
-days after the date of enactment of this Act and the Secretary
+<DELETED>SECTION 1. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND
+CONVEYANCE.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Alliance.--The term ``Alliance'' means the
+Scenic Rivers Development Alliance.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
+Secretary of Agriculture.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Request.--Subject to the requirements of this section,
+if the Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by not later
+than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and the Secretary
determines that it is in the public interest to convey the National
Forest System land described in subsection (c), the Secretary shall
convey to the Alliance all right, title, and interest of the United
States in and to the National Forest System land described in
subsection (c) by quitclaim deed through a public or private sale,
-including a competitive sale by auction or bid.
-(c) Description of National Forest System Land.--
-(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the National
-Forest System land referred to in subsection (b) is--
+including a competitive sale by auction or bid.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Description of National Forest System Land.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
+National Forest System land referred to in subsection (b) is--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the approximately 137.7 acres of real
+property located in secs. 5 and 6, T. 5 N., R. 4 E.,
+and sec. 31, T. 6 N., R. 4 E., Franklin County,
+Mississippi, as depicted on the map prepared for the
+Alliance by Marling Surveying, LLC, entitled ``Map of
+Survey of a 137.70 Acre Tract, a Portion of U.S.
+Department of Agriculture Forest Service Homochitto
+National Forest Tracts H-41g & H-307'', and dated
+September 16, 2024; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the approximately 173 acres of real
+property located in secs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, T. 5 N., R. 4
+E., Franklin County, Mississippi, as depicted on the
+map prepared for the Alliance by Marling Surveying,
+LLC, entitled ``Map of Survey of a +/- 173 Acre Tract,
+a Portion of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest
+Service Homochitto National Forest Tracts H-1, H-3b, H-
+41g & H-307'', and dated September 16, 2024.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal
+description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed
+under this section shall be determined by a survey satisfactory
+to the Secretary.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Consideration.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--The consideration for the
+conveyance of any National Forest System land under this
+section shall be--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) provided in the form of cash;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in an amount equal to the fair market
+value of the National Forest System land being
+conveyed, as determined under paragraph (2).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Fair market value determination.--The fair
+market value of the National Forest System land conveyed under
+this section shall be determined--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in the case of a method of conveyance
+described in subsection (b), by an appraisal that is--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) conducted in accordance with
+the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal
+Land Acquisitions; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) approved by the Secretary;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in the case of a conveyance by a
+method other than a method described in subsection (b),
+by competitive sale.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under this
+section shall be subject to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) valid existing rights; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) such other terms and conditions as the
+Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the interests
+of the United States.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (f) Proceeds From Sale.--The Secretary shall deposit the
+proceeds of the conveyance of any National Forest System land under
+this section in the fund established under Public Law 90-171 (commonly
+known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (g) Costs.--As a condition for the conveyance under this
+section, the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) the costs of any administrative or
+environmental analysis required by applicable law (including
+regulations).</DELETED>
+
+SECTION 1. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND CONVEYANCE.
+
+(a) Definitions.--In this section:
+(1) Alliance.--The term ``Alliance'' means the Scenic
+Rivers Development Alliance, an instrumentality of the State of
+Mississippi.
+(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
+of Agriculture.
+(b) Conveyance.--Subject to the requirements of this section, not
+later than 180 days after the completion of the appraisal under
+subsection (d)(2) and the written agreement under subsection (e)(2),
+the Secretary shall convey by quitclaim deed to the Alliance all right,
+title, and interest of the United States in and to the surface estate
+of the National Forest System land generally described in subsection
+(c).
+(c) Land to Be Conveyed.--
+(1) In general.--The National Forest System land referred
+to in subsection (b) is--
(A) the approximately 137.7 acres of real property
located in secs. 5 and 6, T. 5 N., R. 4 E., and sec.
31, T. 6 N., R. 4 E., Franklin County, Mississippi, as
@@ -70,38 +160,93 @@
(2) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the
National Forest System land to be conveyed under this section
shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary.
-(d) Consideration.--
-(1) In general.--The consideration for the conveyance of
-any National Forest System land under this section shall be--
-(A) provided in the form of cash; and
-(B) in an amount equal to the fair market value of
-the National Forest System land being conveyed, as
-determined under paragraph (2).
-(2) Fair market value determination.--The fair market value
-of the National Forest System land conveyed under this section
-shall be determined--
-(A) in the case of a method of conveyance described
-in subsection (b), by an appraisal that is--
-(i) conducted in accordance with the
-Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land
-Acquisitions; and
-(ii) approved by the Secretary; or
-(B) in the case of a conveyance by a method other
-than a method described in subsection (b), by
-competitive sale.
+(d) Consideration.--The consideration for the conveyance of any
+National Forest System land under this section shall be--
+(1) provided in the form of cash; and
+(2) in an amount equal to the fair market value of the
+National Forest System land being conveyed, as determined by an
+appraisal conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal
+Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and approved by the
+Secretary.
(e) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under this section shall
be subject to--
-(1) valid existing rights; and
-(2) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary
+(1) valid existing rights;
+(2) a written agreement entered into between the Secretary
+and the Alliance, under which the Alliance--
+(A) agrees to cover the costs of upkeep and
+maintenance of the Okhissa Lake Dam, including the dam,
+spillway, and related water control facilities; and
+(B) assumes responsibility and liability for
+compliance with all Federal and State dam safety laws
+and regulations;
+(3) the reservations in the United States of easements for
+public roads and trails, including--
+(A) a perpetual, nonexclusive road right-of-way 30
+feet in width for ingress and egress over all portions
+of Forest Service Road 149A within any of the conveyed
+land; and
+(B) such road and trail rights-of-way as the
+Secretary may determine to be necessary or desirable to
+retain public and administrative access to Okhissa Lake
+and appurtenant National Forest System land;
+(4) the reservation in the United States of all mineral
+rights, oil and gas rights, and all other subsurface rights in
+the conveyed land;
+(5) a right of re-entry reserving to the Secretary the
+right to retake possession and title to the conveyed land in
+the event the land is subsequently conveyed to a nonpublic
+entity or used for purposes other than public recreation and
+fish and wildlife habitat, subject to the condition that, in
+the event the Secretary exercises such a right of re-entry, the
+Alliance shall remain liable for the abatement and clean-up of
+hazardous substances, oil, and any other contaminants;
+(6) a restrictive covenant against the subdivision of the
+conveyed land into residential lots; and
+(7) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary
considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the
United States.
-(f) Proceeds From Sale.--The Secretary shall deposit the proceeds
-of the conveyance of any National Forest System land under this section
-in the fund established under Public Law 90-171 (commonly known as the
-``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
+(f) Proceeds From Sale.--
+(1) In general.--The Secretary shall deposit the proceeds
+of the conveyance of any National Forest System land under this
+section in the fund established under Public Law 90-171
+(commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
+(2) Use of funds.--Amounts deposited under paragraph (1)
+shall remain available until expended, without further
+appropriation, for the acquisition of land and interests in
+land for the National Forest System.
(g) Costs.--As a condition for the conveyance under this section,
-the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing--
-(1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and
-(2) the costs of any administrative or environmental
-analysis required by applicable law (including regulations).
-<all>
+the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing any
+reasonable appraisal, survey, and closing costs.
+(h) Environmental Laws.--The Secretary shall not be required to
+comply with National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
+et seq.) or any other applicable environmental law in carrying out the
+conveyance under this section.
+(i) Hazardous Materials.--For purposes of the conveyance under this
+section, the Secretary--
+(1) shall meet disclosure requirements for hazardous
+substances, pollutants, or contaminants under section 120(h) of
+the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
+Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)); and
+(2) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate
+those hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
+Calendar No. 216
+
+119th CONGRESS
+
+1st Session
+
+S. 2440
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+A BILL
+
+To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National
+Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for
+other purposes.
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+October 27, 2025
+
+Reported with an amendment