United StatesBill would let Sacramento parcel owners buy a federal land interest
The bill would let owners of record of certain Sacramento parcels ask the Interior Department to sell them its land interest, if they pay the appraised value and sale costs.
What it does
Owners of record of about 8.43 acres under federal management in Sacramento could ask to buy the United States’ future interest in the land. They must pay at least fair market value and all sale-related costs.
The text says the sale cannot shrink the railroad right-of-way below 50 feet on either side of the tracks or validate certain land claims not confirmed by an earlier Southern Pacific conveyance.
Argument forEligible parcel owners could use a defined sale process to obtain the federal interest, which may help clarify ownership if they can afford the price and costs.
Argument againstBecause buyers must pay appraised value plus all sale costs, some parcel owners might not be able to complete a purchase.
More detail
The Interior Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Land Management, must offer the applicable federal interest and convey the land to the buyer after payment. The offer covers about 8.43 acres under federal management in Sacramento, and only the owner of record may request to buy the parcels they own. The buyer must pay at least fair market value and all sale-related costs, including appraisal and survey costs. The sale is subject to valid existing rights. The value must be appraised under federal land-sale and professional appraisal standards. The Secretary must offer the interest within two years after receiving a request. The land is conveyed after payment.
The text says the Act cannot narrow the railroad right-of-way or confirm certain land claims. These limits concern the covered land and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks there. The right-of-way cannot be reduced below 50 feet on each side of the center of the tracks. The text does not validate claims based on long-term occupation, long-term use, or abandonment unless Southern Pacific conveyed the claim before the Act’s enactment. The right-of-way measurement is based on tracks maintained on the Act’s enactment date; the claim exception depends on whether Southern Pacific conveyed the claim before that date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 22Signed by President.Became Law
- Oct 22Became Public Law No: 119-135.Minor
- Oct 14Presented to President.To President
- Sep 24Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 22Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4882-4883)Passed Senate
- Jul 23Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
- Jul 23Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 491.
- Mar 4Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Feb 12Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-305.
- 2025
- May 14Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- May 13Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- May 13Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1982-1983)
- May 13DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 952.
- May 13Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1982)Passed House
- May 13Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Feb 4Introduced in House
- Feb 4Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.Introduced
Government & EthicsTransportationConsumer Protection