Bill · S. 277· Senate(119-S-277)
A bill to release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 1/28/2025
- Last activity
- 10/27/2025 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 207.
- Sponsored by
- Marsha Blackburn
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill aims to release a Federal reversionary interest and convey mineral interests located in Chester County, Tennessee. The legislation is prompted by a finding that Bethel Baptist Church is encroaching on State-owned land in the Chickasaw State Forest by approximately 19 inches. To resolve this issue, the Secretary of Agriculture is directed to release the United States' reversionary interest in the State forest land without consideration. Additionally, the Secretary shall convey the mineral interest in that land to the State via a quitclaim deed. This process is to occur without any appraisals, environmental reviews, or reports.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
The transfer of mineral rights to the state may benefit the local rural community's economy.
Does this invest in rural communities?+2
The conveyance of mineral interests to the state could provide future revenue for rural development in Tennessee.
Would high-income households be better off under this?+1
The transfer of mineral rights may benefit those with interests in land and resource development.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
The bill explicitly bypasses environmental reviews and reports for the land and mineral conveyance.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-2
The bill allows for the transfer of interests without required appraisals or public reporting.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Resolving Land Encroachment: The release of the reversionary interest is intended to resolve a specific encroachment issue where Bethel Baptist Church is occupying State-owned land by approximately 19 inches (Section 1(a)(1) and Section 1(c)(1)).
-
Transfer of Mineral Rights: The bill provides for the conveyance of mineral interests in the State forest land to the State of Tennessee (Section 1(d)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Lack of Oversight: The release of the reversionary interest and the conveyance of mineral interests are to occur without any appraisal, report, or environmental or similar review (Section 1(c)(1)(B) and Section 1(d)(2)(C)).
-
Limited Information on Minerals: The conveyance of mineral rights will occur without any exploratory program regarding the character of mineral deposits or any findings regarding known mineral values and development (Section 1(d)(2)(A) and Section 1(d)(2)(B)).
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 Rural Residents+2Good For High Income Households+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2Improves Environmental Protections-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 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. 207.
- 10/21/2025
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/28/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Bill HagertyRepublican · Tennessee