Legislation1w ago
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To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
S1005119th CongressWALLET
Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
In Committee
Summary
Land transfers and conservation designations rework who controls large swaths of southern Nevada and set new rules for housing, recreation, and habitat protection. The bill pairs tribal trust transfers with new Special Management Areas, wilderness expansions, local land conveyances, and changes to Southern Nevada land sale rules.
Show full summary
- Tribes: The Moapa Band of Paiutes would receive about 44,950 acres into trust and the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe about 3,156 acres into trust. These transfers keep State water rights with the Tribes and bar Class II and III gaming on the lands while requiring certain renewable-energy corridor accommodations.
- Local communities and housing: Multiple federal parcels may be conveyed to cities and districts without payment for public safety, water, and economic uses. The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) rules are changed to allow up to 25,000 acres to be added to a disposal boundary and to prioritize housing-related applications for review within 180 days.
- Conservation and recreation: The bill creates nine Special Management Areas totaling about 358,954 acres that can be credited toward Clark County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) mitigation and sets the Red Rock boundary at about 253,950 acres. It also adds wilderness acreage, expands the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, and establishes four off-highway vehicle areas with required management plans.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster federal reviews for affordable housing
If enacted, local governments applying to use SNPLMA land for affordable housing would get priority review. The Secretary would have to finish required federal reviews within 180 days of application, consistent with applicable law, and involve Housing and Urban Development if needed. This could speed housing projects that serve low‑income renters.
Weirs and local flood control
If enacted, the bill would direct the Secretary to finish six unfinished erosion‑control weirs on the lower Las Vegas Wash, subject to appropriations, with congressional intent to complete them within 8 years. The bill would also require an amendment to allow design and construction of flood control facilities in the Coyote Springs tortoise area consistent with the Las Vegas Valley master flood plan. These projects aim to protect property and infrastructure from erosion and flooding.
Sand and gravel use rules
If enacted, owners of surface estates acquired under SNPLMA or the Clark County Conservation Act would be allowed to move common sand and gravel on their land for recontouring, balancing the surface, or filling utility trenches. They could also dispose of that material at an off‑site landfill. This clarifies what surface owners may do for maintenance and utility work.
Tribal land trust transfers and limits
If enacted, the bill would put about 44,950 acres of Federal land and about 196 acres of tribal fee land into trust for the Moapa Band of Paiutes, and about 3,156 acres into trust for the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe. The Secretary must finish boundary surveys (60 days for the 44,950-acre Moapa transfer, 180 days for the others). The Moapa transfer reserves electric transmission corridor rights with payments to the Tribe, and the Las Vegas Paiute transfer requires the Tribe to grant a 300-foot transmission right-of-way within 30 days after trust transfer. Land taken into trust would not be eligible for Class II or III gaming, and no new Federal reserved surface or groundwater rights would be created while State water claims remain.
Local land transfers for jobs and services
If enacted, the bill would let federal agencies convey specific parcels to local governments to support jobs, public safety, water, and watershed projects. Examples include a 350-acre Sloan Job Creation Zone for Clark County, public safety and training parcels to Clark County and North Las Vegas (about 10 acres), about 250 acres to Mesquite for a watershed plan, and roughly 121 acres or rights-of-way to Moapa Valley Water District for water pipelines. Conveyances are subject to valid existing rights, fair market value rules for sales in many cases, survey and transfer costs to local governments, and reversion or remediation rules if land stops being used for the public purpose.
Expanded land disposal boundary and successors
If enacted, the law would set a new SNPLMA land disposal deadline of November 14, 2024 and allow the Secretary and Clark County to jointly nominate up to 25,000 acres in a proposed expanded disposal boundary. The bill would also clarify that certain conveyances apply to successors in interest. This could increase land available for development or sale in the Las Vegas area.
New conservation areas and access rules
If enacted, the bill would create nine Special Management Areas (about 358,954 acres total) that would be managed for plants, wildlife, cultural sites, and scenery. Motorized vehicles would be allowed only on routes the plans designate and no new permanent roads could be built inside SMAs. The bill would also expand the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (to 57,728 acres), add the Tule Springs Fossil Bed National Monument to a SNPLMA funding list, and create four off‑highway vehicle areas (about 13,050; 21,729; 43,775; and 39,022 acres). SMA protections could be credited as mitigation for Clark County if the County submits a complete permit amendment.
Water pipeline rights and materials
If enacted, the Secretary would have to grant temporary and permanent rights‑of‑way to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for a water pipeline, power lines, facilities, and access roads within one year. The rights‑of‑way could be provided without rent or charges and the Authority could use or dispose of tunneling materials with an MOU to identify disposal sites. Rights would be conditioned to protect conservation resources and avoid wilderness.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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