La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
Plain Language Summary
# La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act – Plain Language Summary **What the bill does:** This bill would allow the federal government to sell approximately 3,400 acres of public land in La Paz County, Arizona to the county itself. The land is currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The stated goal is to enable solar energy development and job creation in the area.
The county would pay fair market value for the land, and the land would no longer be available for federal mining or mineral leasing activities. **Key protections and who it affects:** The bill includes several safeguards for Native American interests. The county and any future owners must work to avoid disturbing Native American artifacts, minimize damage if disturbance occurs, coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes to identify culturally significant items, and allow tribal representatives to rebury any artifacts found on the land. This protects the interests of local tribes while allowing La Paz County to pursue economic development through solar projects. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation ActThis bill directs the Department of the Interior, after receiving a request from La Paz County, Arizona, to convey approximately 3,400 acres of identified land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the county for fair market value.Interior must exclude from the conveyance any federal land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.As a condition of the conveyance, La Paz County and any subsequent owner mustmake good faith efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts;minimize impacts on tribal artifacts if they are disturbed;coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify artifacts of cultural and historic significance; andallow tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at, or near, where they were discovered.The federal land is withdrawn from the operation of U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws.
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 336.