Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026

The proposed bill falls squarely within the constitutional authority of Congress to dispose of federal property. The Property Clause of Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 grants Congress the power to 'dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States.' This conveyance to the State of Arkansas is a straightforward exercise of that power. Additionally, the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) authorizes Congress to enact legislation that is appropriate to carry out its enumerated powers, including…

The Constitution expressly grants Congress the power to dispose of federal property under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2. This bill, which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Crossett Experimental Forest to the State of Arkansas, is a straightforward exercise of that power. The Tenth Amendment confirms that powers not delegated to the United States are reserved to the States, but here the delegation is clear and explicit. There is no infringement upon individual liberties or state sovereignty, as the conveyance is a voluntary transfer of federal land to a state government for i…

The Constitution expressly grants Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. This bill, which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a specific federal forest to the State of Arkansas, is a straightforward exercise of that power. It does not exceed the enumerated powers of Congress, nor does it encroach upon any state authority reserved by the Tenth Amendment. The transfer is a permissible legislative action to manage federal property, consistent with the principle that the feder…

The Constitution vests in Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 grants Congress plenary authority over federal property. The conveyance of the Crossett Experimental Forest to the State of Arkansas is an exercise of that power, and no constitutional impediment appears. The action is a legitimate disposition of federal property, and the judiciary will not intrude upon the legislative discretion in such matters, as established in Marbury v. Madison (1803…