Bill · H.R. 197· House(119-HR-197)
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 10/27/2025 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
- Sponsored by
- Pete Stauber
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025," authorizes a land exchange in Itasca County, Minnesota. The exchange involves the United States acquiring approximately 36.7 acres of non-Federal land from Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT) in exchange for approximately 17.5 acres of Federal land. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to accept the offer within one year if certain conditions are met. The exchange requires appraisals to ensure equal value, with potential cash equalization payments. The acquired land will be managed as part of the Chippewa National Forest.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The act allows Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC to exchange and potentially consolidate its land holdings.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The act adds non-Federal land to the Chippewa National Forest for regulated management.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
The act involves the management and preservation of land in rural Itasca County.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expansion of National Forest Management: The non-Federal land acquired by the United States will be added to, and managed as part of, the Chippewa National Forest (Section 3(f)).
-
Protection of Land Value: The Act requires that the land exchange be for equal value, using appraisals conducted by independent and qualified appraisers (Section 3(c) and Section 3(d)).
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Potential Donation to the United States: If the non-Federal land is valued higher than the Federal land, any waived cash equalization payment will be considered a donation by BWLT to the United States (Section 3(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Reduction of Federal Land: The United States will convey all right, title, and interest in approximately 17.5 acres of Federal land to BWLT (Section 3(a)(2)).
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Limited Access to National Forest: The conveyance of Federal land to BWLT includes an exception that reserves an easement for road access to National Forest System land west of the Federal Parcel (Section 3(a)(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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3Improves Rural Development+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Improves Economic Growth+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 10/27/2025
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
- 10/21/2025
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/22/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1/21/2025
- 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 H242-243)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H242-243)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 197.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H242-244)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Michelle FischbachRepublican · Minnesota
Brad FinstadRepublican · Minnesota