S. 43 – Lake Fannin Recreation Area Conveyance Act

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Updated April 13, 2026 at 11:56 PM UTC

The Lake Fannin Recreation Area Conveyance Act directs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to transfer about 2,025 acres of National Forest System land in Fannin County, Texas, to the county. The county can acquire the land by offering to pay its fair‑market value, which must be appraised within 180 days. The transfer is conditioned on payment of the appraised price, covering appraisal and survey costs, and a commitment to keep the land for public recreation.

Key Provisions

If Fannin County submits an offer to buy the land at fair market value, the Secretary must convey the land to the county.
The conveyance will be made by quit‑claim deed, subject to existing rights and any other terms the Secretary deems necessary to protect U.S. interests.
The Secretary must complete an appraisal of the land’s fair market value within 180 days, following federal appraisal standards.
The county must pay the appraised price plus the costs of the appraisal and a survey that defines the exact acreage and legal description.
The county must manage the transferred land for public recreational purposes.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

January 8, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 8, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

January 8, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 8, 2019

II

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 43

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 8, 2019

Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Mr. Cruz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain National Forest System land in the State of Texas.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lake Fannin Recreation Area Conveyance Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

County

The term County means Fannin County, Texas.

(2)

Map

The term map means the map entitled Lake Fannin Conveyance and dated November 21, 2013.

(3)

National Forest System land

The term National Forest System land means the approximately 2,025 acres of National Forest System land generally depicted on the map.

(4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

3.

Land conveyance

(a)

In general

Subject to the terms and conditions described in subsection (b), if the County submits to the Secretary an offer to acquire the National Forest System land for the fair market value, as determined by the appraisal under subsection (c), the Secretary shall convey the National Forest System land to the County.

(b)

Terms and conditions

The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be—

(1)

subject to valid existing rights;

(2)

made by quitclaim deed; and

(3)

subject to any other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

(c)

Appraisal

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an appraisal to determine the fair market value of the National Forest System land.

(2)

Standards

The appraisal under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with—

(A)

the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and

(B)

the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

(d)

Map

(1)

Availability of map

The map shall be kept on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate office of the Forest Service.

(2)

Correction of errors

The Secretary may correct minor errors in the map.

(e)

Consideration

As consideration for the conveyance under subsection (a), the County shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the fair market value of the National Forest System land, as determined by the appraisal under subsection (c).

(f)

Survey

The exact acreage and legal description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary and the County.

(g)

Use

As a condition of the conveyance under subsection (a), the County shall agree to manage the land conveyed under that subsection for public recreational purposes.

(h)

Costs of conveyance

As a condition on the conveyance under subsection (a), the County shall pay to the Secretary all costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of—

(1)

the appraisal under subsection (c); and

(2)

the survey under subsection (f).