Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
Pennington County Land Conveyance Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Pennington County Land Conveyance Act," directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain land to Pennington County, South Dakota. The land consists of approximately 8.97 acres located within the Black Hills National Forest. The transfer includes any existing improvements on that land. The Secretary is instructed to convey all right, title, and interest in the property to the County. This happens without consideration and allows the County to use the land for a public works facility or other necessary uses. Finally, the Secretary must modify the Black Hills National Forest boundary to reflect this change.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +1
Is this likely to create jobs?
The acquisition of land for public works facilities may facilitate local infrastructure development and associated jobs.
- Scored +1
Is this likely to grow the economy?
Providing land for public works can support local economic infrastructure.
- Scored +1
Does this invest in rural communities?
Providing land for local public works can aid in rural infrastructure development.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The transfer results in a reduction of the total area belonging to the National Forest System.
- Scored -1
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill reduces the size of the National Forest System by transferring land to the county.
- Scored -1
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill involves a federal-to-local land transfer, reducing federal control over the area.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Land for Local Use: The bill allows Pennington County to use the approximately 8.97 acres of land for a public works facility or any other uses the County deems necessary (Section 2(b)). This gives the local government a specific area to develop infrastructure or public services for the community.
-
Cost-Effective Acquisition: The land is to be conveyed to the County without consideration (Section 2(b)). This means the County can acquire the land and any improvements on it without having to pay the United States for the property.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of National Forest Land: The Secretary is required to modify the boundary of the Black Hills National Forest to reflect the transfer (Section 2(c)). This results in a reduction of the total area belonging to the National Forest System.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Providing land for public works can support local economic infrastructure. Is this likely to create jobs? — The acquisition of land for public works facilities may facilitate local infrastructure development and associated jobs.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Providing land for local public works can aid in rural infrastructure development. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The transfer results in a reduction of the total area belonging to the National Forest System. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill reduces the size of the National Forest System by transferring land to the county.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The transfer of land to Pennington County provides local control over assets for regional infrastructure needs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill transfers control of land from the federal government to a local county government. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill involves a federal-to-local land transfer, reducing federal control over the area.
- 8/31/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
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.