Bill · S. 909· Senate(119-S-909)
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
- Introduced
- 3/10/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 336.
- Sponsored by
- Ruben Gallego
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act," authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of federal land to La Paz County, Arizona. The land is currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The conveyance is to occur as soon as practicable after the County requests it. The land must be transferred at fair market value based on professional appraisals. Additionally, the bill includes specific protections for Tribal cultural artifacts. Finally, the land is withdrawn from the operation of United States mining and mineral leasing laws.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+6
The bill provides specific protections for Tribal cultural artifacts and coordination requirements.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+5
The bill is titled for solar energy, which typically supports renewable energy goals.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+5
The act facilitates land acquisition for solar energy projects.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The bill involves a federal land conveyance process requiring administrative oversight.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Cultural Resources: The bill requires La Paz County and any future owners to make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing Tribal artifacts and to minimize impacts if they are disturbed (Section 3(d)).
-
Tribal Involvement in Heritage Preservation: The County must coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify significant artifacts and must allow Tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at or near the discovery site (Section 3(d)).
-
Environmental and Recreational Safeguards: The Secretary is directed to exclude any Federal land from the conveyance that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources (Section 3(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Burden on the County: La Paz County is required to pay the appraised fair market value of the land, as well as all costs related to the conveyance, including surveys, appraisals, and administrative costs (Section 3(c) and Section 3(g)).
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Restriction on Resource Extraction: The land is withdrawn from the operation of United States mining and mineral leasing laws (Section 3(f)).
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
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+5Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+5Improves Environmental Protections+4Improves Rural Development+3Improves Public Land Management+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+6Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+3Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power-2
- 2/11/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. With written report No. 119-107.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 336.
- 9/11/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 3/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona