H.R. 2630, La Paz County Land Conveyance Act

Floor Situation

On Monday July 23, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 2630, the La Paz County Land Conveyance Act, under suspension of the rules. This bill was introduced on May 24, 2017 by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, which ordered the bill reported by unanimous consent on November 30, 2017.

Summary              

H.R. 2630 will convey, for fair market value, up to 8800 acres of Department of the Interior (DOI) land to La Paz County, Arizona, to construct a solar field. The County will also pay all administrative costs.

Background

Nearly 95% of La Paz County, Arizona, is owned by federal, State, or tribal governments, with 61% of the federal ownership controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Uniquely positioned between the metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Southern California, the County seeks a land conveyance from BLM to provide ground for the construction of a solar field. The County will pay fair market value for the land, as well as any administrative costs.[1]

The county has already worked with BLM to identify a site adjacent to preexisting and proposed electric, fiber optic and natural gas transmission lines. Review of the proposed site by the BLM has not revealed any endangered species or historic resources in the area, and much of the proposed site already has a significant amount of surface disturbance.[2]

La Paz County is 27% Latino and 18% Native American, and currently has an unemployment rate nearly 2% higher than the national average. Not only would this land conveyance help provide renewable energy to both the Southern California and Phoenix markets, but it would help bring family-wage jobs to the county.[3]

According to the bill sponsor, "The overwhelming federal footprint in La Paz County leaves a mere six percent of land available for taxable use. Quite frankly, that's just not enough, making a land transfer necessary for economic and energy growth in the County. H.R. 2630 will allow the County to secure title to approximately 8,800 acres from the Bureau of Land Management for fair market value. The County can put this otherwise under-utilized land to more effective use by partnering with private renewable energy developers to create good-paying local jobs and build a diverse tax base to support basic public services."[4]

Cost

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that enacting the bill would generate $3 million for the federal treasury over 10 years following enactment.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Ryan Hofmann with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-6674.