Bill · H.R. 2773· House(119-HR-2773)
Landowner Easement Rights Act
- Introduced
- 4/9/2025
- Last activity
- 4/9/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Harriet Hageman
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Landowner Easement Rights Act," limits the Secretary of the Interior's ability to enter into certain conservation easements for terms exceeding 30 years. For land already under such easements, the Act provides a process for landowners to request renegotiation or a buyback. The Secretary must provide specific maps and fair market value notices upon request. Renegotiated terms must not exceed 30 years and include specific payment calculations. The Act also requires the Secretary to notify landowners of their rights to request these changes.
Yes
Would farmers be better off under this?+7
Landowners, including farmers, gain rights to renegotiate or buy back conservation easements.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The bill provides significant autonomy and financial recourse for rural landowners with conservation easements.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill requires the Secretary to provide specific maps and fair market value notices to landowners upon request.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
Limiting easement terms to 30 years may weaken long-term environmental conservation efforts.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?-4
By limiting the duration of conservation easements, the bill may reduce long-term land protection and carbon sequestration potential.
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
The bill restricts the Secretary of the Interior's authority to enter into long-term federal agreements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Renegotiation Rights: Landowners can request to renegotiate existing terms, which must include a term no longer than 30 years (Section 3).
-
Buyback Option: Landowners are given the option to buy back all or a portion of an eligible conservation easement at fair market value (Section 3, paragraph 3).
-
Financial Compensation: If renegotiating, the Secretary must pay the landowner an amount based on the current fair market value minus the original amount paid, adjusted for inflation (Section 3, paragraph 2(B)).
-
Information Access: Upon request, the Secretary must provide the landowner with a detailed map of the easement and notice of its current fair market value (Section 3, paragraph 1).
-
Mandatory Notification: The Secretary is required to notify landowners of their right to submit a request for renegotiation or buyback before the easement becomes eligible (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Term Limitations on New Agreements: The Secretary of the Interior is prohibited from entering into any new conservation easements that have a term of more than 30 years (Section 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 Farmers+7Good For Rural Residents+6
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-5Reduces Carbon Emissions-4Improves Public Land Management-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power-3
- 4/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Julie FedorchakRepublican · North Dakota