Bill · H.R. 1043· House(119-HR-1043)
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
- Introduced
- 2/6/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — By Senator Lee from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 119-109.
- Sponsored by
- Paul Gosar
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act," directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain Federal land to La Paz County, Arizona. The land consists of approximately 3,400 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The transfer is to occur as soon as practicable after the County requests it. The land will be conveyed at its fair market value based on specific appraisal standards. Additionally, the land is withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing laws.
Yes· 3 of 14
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The act excludes land with significant environmental or wildlife resources from the transfer.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+5
The act is titled to include job creation and solar energy development.
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?+5
The land is withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing laws.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The act reduces federal oversight by transferring land to a local entity.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Land Ownership for the County: The Secretary shall convey the Federal land to the County upon request, which may assist with local control of the land (Section 3(a)).
-
Protection of Tribal Artifacts: The County and future owners are required to make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing Tribal artifacts and must minimize impacts if they are disturbed (Section 3(d)).
-
Preservation of Cultural Resources: The Secretary is required to exclude any Federal land from the conveyance that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources (Section 3(b)(2)).
-
Tribal Coordination: The Act requires coordination with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify significant artifacts (Section 3(d)(3)).
-
Artifact Reburial: Tribal representatives are permitted to rebury unearthed artifacts at or near where they were discovered (Section 3(d)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Burden on the County: The County is required to pay the appraised fair market value of the land and must also pay all costs related to the conveyance, such as surveys, appraisals, and administrative costs (Section 3(c) and Section 3(g)).
-
Restrictions on Resource Use: The land is withdrawn from the operation of mining and mineral leasing laws (Section 3(f)).
-
Uncertainty in Land Boundaries: The Secretary and the County have the authority to make minor boundary adjustments or correct errors in the map or acreage estimates (Section 3(e)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Increases Renewable Energy Investment+5Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+4Improves Rural Development+3Improves Public Land Management+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+5Good For Business Owners+3Good For Rural Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+4Improves Government Transparency+1Increases Federal Power-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3
- Public Law(12/30/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 2/11/2026
- By Senator Lee from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 119-109.
- 12/29/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-68.
- 12/18/2025
- Presented to President.
- 12/17/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 12/16/2025
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8766-8768)
- 9/11/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 7/22/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 7/21/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3498-3499)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3498-3499)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1043.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3498)
- Mr. Gosar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 7/2/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-183.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 148.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 2/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/6/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Andy BiggsRepublican · Arizona
David SchweikertRepublican · Arizona