Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 4467
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4467Parks, recreation areas, trailsMississippi
Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act
INTRO JUL 16· LAST ACTION MAR 17
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
3
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it changes the ownership and management of a small, but potentially significant, portion of a national historical site. If this bill becomes law, it aims to improve how people can get to and experience the Vicksburg National Military Park, a place crucial for understanding a key event in American history. The land transfer is intended to support the park's mission, not detract from it.
If the bill doesn't pass, these specific parcels of land would remain under federal control as part of the park, potentially limiting certain access improvements that the state might facilitate. The bill also includes safeguards to ensure that the state's use of the land must benefit the park and its historical integrity, preventing unintended negative consequences.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to give two specific parcels of federal land (totaling about 7.43 acres) from the Vicksburg National Military Park to the State of Mississippi.
This provision transfers federal land ownership to the state without cost.
PROVISION 02
Requires that the transfer of land be done using a quitclaim deed, meaning the federal government gives up its claim without any guarantees, and without the State of Mississippi paying for it.
This specifies the legal and financial terms of how the land will be transferred.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that once the land is conveyed, the official boundary of the Vicksburg National Military Park will be changed to no longer include these parcels.
This action formally redefines the permanent protected area of the national park.
PROVISION 04
Stipulates that the State of Mississippi must use the conveyed land to improve public access to the park and enhance the visitor experience, consistent with the park's interpretative mission.
This ensures the land is used for purposes that directly benefit the national park and its visitors.
PROVISION 05
Prohibits the state from using the land in a way that harms park resources or visitor experience, and allows the Secretary of the Interior to impose additional use restrictions.
This provision provides federal oversight to protect the park's integrity and historical significance after the transfer.
Voters should care about this bill because it changes the ownership and management of a small, but potentially significant, portion of a national historical site. If this bill becomes law, it aims to improve how people can get to and experience the Vicksburg National Military Park, a place crucial for understanding a key event in American history. The land transfer is intended to support the park's mission, not detract from it.
If the bill doesn't pass, these specific parcels of land would remain under federal control as part of the park, potentially limiting certain access improvements that the state might facilitate. The bill also includes safeguards to ensure that the state's use of the land must benefit the park and its historical integrity, preventing unintended negative consequences.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to give two specific parcels of federal land (totaling about 7.43 acres) from the Vicksburg National Military Park to the State of Mississippi.
This provision transfers federal land ownership to the state without cost.
med
Requires that the transfer of land be done using a quitclaim deed, meaning the federal government gives up its claim without any guarantees, and without the State of Mississippi paying for it.
This specifies the legal and financial terms of how the land will be transferred.
high
Mandates that once the land is conveyed, the official boundary of the Vicksburg National Military Park will be changed to no longer include these parcels.
This action formally redefines the permanent protected area of the national park.
high
Stipulates that the State of Mississippi must use the conveyed land to improve public access to the park and enhance the visitor experience, consistent with the park's interpretative mission.
This ensures the land is used for purposes that directly benefit the national park and its visitors.
high
Prohibits the state from using the land in a way that harms park resources or visitor experience, and allows the Secretary of the Interior to impose additional use restrictions.
This provision provides federal oversight to protect the park's integrity and historical significance after the transfer.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Secretary of the Interior
The head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which is responsible for managing most federal lands and natural resources, including national parks.
Conveyance
The legal act of transferring property ownership from one party to another.
Quitclaim Deed
A legal document used to transfer real estate ownership where the grantor (the one giving the land) gives up their claim to the property without guaranteeing that the title is free of defects or claims by others.
Without Consideration
A legal term meaning that the transfer of property or a promise is made without any payment or exchange of value in return.
Federal Land
Land that is owned by the United States government.
Boundary Modification
A change to the official lines that define the borders of a specific area, in this case, a national park.
Vicksburg National Military Park
A national park located in Mississippi that preserves the site of the American Civil War siege and battle of Vicksburg.
ACTION TIMELINE
16 EVENTS
MAR 17
Received in the Senate.
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 16
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
FLOOR
MAR 16
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2509-2510)
FLOOR
MAR 16
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4467.
