S. 277 Reported by committee Public Lands and Natural Resources

A bill to release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] Introduced January 28, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 R) Latest action October 27, 2025

Summary

This bill provides for the transfer of the Forest Service's interest in the approximately 0.62-acre parcel of land within the Chickasaw State Forest to the state of Tennessee in order to resolve the encroachment of Bethel Baptist Church on that parcel. Both the parcel and the church are located in Chester County, Tennessee.
On August 12, 1955, the Forest Service conveyed the parcel to the state but retained a reversionary interest in the land that takes effect if the state forest land ceases to be used for public purposes. The bill directs the Forest Service to release the reversionary interest to the state.
Additionally, the Forest Service must convey to the state its mineral interest in the parcel. The conveyance must be done by quitclaim deed and without warranty or consideration (such as payment).
As a condition of the release and the conveyance, the state must pay for any administrative costs incurred by the Forest Service in carrying out the release and conveyance. The Forest Service must release the reversionary interest and convey the parcel without undertaking any appraisal, environmental review, or other report.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Oct 27, 2025 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 207.
  2. Oct 27, 2025 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
  3. Oct 21, 2025 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  4. Jan 28, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  5. Jan 28, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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