Washington, D.C. – This week, the House Natural Resources Committee passed its directives for the Reconciliation process, which includes $18.5 billion in savings. In addition, Rep. Mark Amodei’s amendment pertaining to disposal of Federal lands in Nevada was included in the package.
“This week, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced our portion of the budget reconciliation bill, delivering on the Administration’s commitment to curb reckless spending, steward taxpayer dollars responsibly, and identify smart investments,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “Our contributions will generate a total of $18.5 billion in savings, well beyond our $1 billion target.
“In addition to these historic savings, my Nevada-centric lands amendment was included in the package. The reality is, most of my colleagues don’t fully grasp the unique challenges Nevada faces as a state that is 80% federally owned. For years, folks from my district, and even across district lines, have voiced serious concerns about how these vast stretches of public land could threaten Nevada’s economic momentum and competitiveness if we run out of usable acreage.
“With Republicans holding only a slim majority, the reconciliation process presented a rare vehicle to advance these land disposal requests and ensure the priorities of our county commissions were heard. This is only the first step in our efforts to support responsible development in our state while also delivering a meaningful return for the American taxpayer.”
Background
The Reconciliation Process
Reconciliation is a rigorous process that allows the President’s agenda to move forward without being blocked by a Senate filibuster. It began with both the House and Senate passing an identical budget blueprint that provided clear directives for committees to identify areas for saving and investment. Congressional committees have been working to turn those directives into actionable legislation within their respective jurisdictions.
All proposed legislation must meet deficit-reducing or revenue-related targets. The end goal is to compile all legislation passed through committees and bring it onto the chamber floors for voting in one big bill.
Rep. Amodei’s Land Disposal Amendment
Nevada’s population centers are all encumbered by Federal lands and can’t meet their housing and development needs without disposal of Federal lands. Unlike most other states, Nevadans rely on Congress to make these lands available.
Each of the maps included in this amendment was generated by the respective counties referenced in the bill. National Parks and areas of significant environmental value are not included in the list of disposal lands within the amendment, and all disposal of Federal lands must still go through the NEPA process and comply with existing federal regulations. This amendment focuses on communities who have been starved of development and housing needs.
Breakdown of the Amendment
* 449,174 acres are encompassed in the amendment; however, 356,100 acres are part of the Pershing County checkerboard resolution that have no net change in federal ownership.
Washoe County
The amendment identifies 15,860 acres in Washoe County for disposal, also allowing for joint selection between the County and Federal government to prioritize lands for affordable housing development.
Clark County
The amendment identifies 65,129 acres in Clark County for disposal, also allowing for joint selection between the County and Federal government to prioritize lands for affordable housing development. The amendment includes a savings clause to ensure that no proceeds deposited into the SNPLMA special account under previous lands sales are to be rescinded or redirected.
Lyon County
The amendment identifies 12,085 acres in Lyon County, which will be sold for fair market value to the City of Fernley, Nevada and be developed as the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) II.
Pershing County
The amendment authorizes the sale or exchange of lands previously identified for disposal by the BLM in a streamlined manner. This encompasses approximately 356,100 acres of land to be exchanged at a 1:1 ratio.
“This week, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced our portion of the budget reconciliation bill, delivering on the Administration’s commitment to curb reckless spending, steward taxpayer dollars responsibly, and identify smart investments,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “Our contributions will generate a total of $18.5 billion in savings, well beyond our $1 billion target.
“In addition to these historic savings, my Nevada-centric lands amendment was included in the package. The reality is, most of my colleagues don’t fully grasp the unique challenges Nevada faces as a state that is 80% federally owned. For years, folks from my district, and even across district lines, have voiced serious concerns about how these vast stretches of public land could threaten Nevada’s economic momentum and competitiveness if we run out of usable acreage.
“With Republicans holding only a slim majority, the reconciliation process presented a rare vehicle to advance these land disposal requests and ensure the priorities of our county commissions were heard. This is only the first step in our efforts to support responsible development in our state while also delivering a meaningful return for the American taxpayer.”
Background
The Reconciliation Process
Reconciliation is a rigorous process that allows the President’s agenda to move forward without being blocked by a Senate filibuster. It began with both the House and Senate passing an identical budget blueprint that provided clear directives for committees to identify areas for saving and investment. Congressional committees have been working to turn those directives into actionable legislation within their respective jurisdictions.
All proposed legislation must meet deficit-reducing or revenue-related targets. The end goal is to compile all legislation passed through committees and bring it onto the chamber floors for voting in one big bill.
Rep. Amodei’s Land Disposal Amendment
Nevada’s population centers are all encumbered by Federal lands and can’t meet their housing and development needs without disposal of Federal lands. Unlike most other states, Nevadans rely on Congress to make these lands available.
Each of the maps included in this amendment was generated by the respective counties referenced in the bill. National Parks and areas of significant environmental value are not included in the list of disposal lands within the amendment, and all disposal of Federal lands must still go through the NEPA process and comply with existing federal regulations. This amendment focuses on communities who have been starved of development and housing needs.
Breakdown of the Amendment
* 449,174 acres are encompassed in the amendment; however, 356,100 acres are part of the Pershing County checkerboard resolution that have no net change in federal ownership.
Washoe County
The amendment identifies 15,860 acres in Washoe County for disposal, also allowing for joint selection between the County and Federal government to prioritize lands for affordable housing development.
Clark County
The amendment identifies 65,129 acres in Clark County for disposal, also allowing for joint selection between the County and Federal government to prioritize lands for affordable housing development. The amendment includes a savings clause to ensure that no proceeds deposited into the SNPLMA special account under previous lands sales are to be rescinded or redirected.
Lyon County
The amendment identifies 12,085 acres in Lyon County, which will be sold for fair market value to the City of Fernley, Nevada and be developed as the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) II.
Pershing County
The amendment authorizes the sale or exchange of lands previously identified for disposal by the BLM in a streamlined manner. This encompasses approximately 356,100 acres of land to be exchanged at a 1:1 ratio.
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