Bill > HR718

This bill, called the "Public Lands in Public Hands Act," prohibits the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from transferring federal land titles to non-federal entities under specific circumstances. The bill defines a "publicly accessible tract" as federal land that can be accessed by public roads, trails, waterways, easements, or rights-of-way. The transfer prohibition applies to publicly accessible tracts and lands contiguous with such tracts or government-owned lands with public access. However, the bill allows exceptions for small land transfers (less than 300 acres or 5 acres via public waterway) and transfers authorized by various existing laws, including the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, Alaska Statehood Act, and Native Allotment Act, among others. The bill also prevents intentionally subdividing federal lands to circumvent the acreage restrictions. Additionally, the bill includes a provision clarifying that its contents should not be used to interpret the legality of crossing property boundaries on public lands. The primary purpose of this legislation appears to be preserving public access to federal lands and preventing large-scale transfers of publicly accessible federal territories to private or non-federal ownership.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/718/all-info