La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
Description
Directs the sale of approximately 3,400 acres of federal land to La Paz County, Arizona, for solar energy and economic development.
Summary
What it does
This law directs the Department of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to La Paz County, Arizona, for fair market value. The transfer excludes lands with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources and withdraws the identified land from federal mining and mineral leasing laws. As a condition of the sale, the county and any future owners must coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes to protect, minimize impacts on, and allow for the reburial of tribal artifacts discovered on the property.
Who is affected
This bill directly affects La Paz County, Arizona, which is authorized to acquire approximately 3,400 acres of federal land for solar energy development. The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management are responsible for overseeing the land conveyance and ensuring the exclusion of protected resources. Additionally, the Colorado River Indian Tribes are involved through coordination on the identification and preservation of tribal artifacts discovered on the transferred land.
Key provisions
- Land conveyance to La Paz County. Directs the Department of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to La Paz County, Arizona, upon the county's request. The land must be sold at fair market value.
- Exclusion of sensitive federal lands. Requires the Department of the Interior to exclude any federal land from the conveyance that contains significant environmental, cultural, wildlife, or recreational resources.
- Tribal artifact protection and coordination. Obligates the county and subsequent owners to minimize disturbances to tribal artifacts and coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Tribal representatives must be permitted to rebury unearthed artifacts at or near the discovery site.
- Withdrawal from mining and mineral leasing. Withdraws the identified federal land from the operation of United States mining and mineral leasing laws.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 1043, La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act· As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on September 11, 2025
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
The bill modifies the status of approximately 3,400 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management by withdrawing it from the operation of United States mining and mineral leasing laws.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to facilitate solar energy development and job creation in La Paz County, Arizona, by directing the Department of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of federal land to the county for fair market value.