H.R. 1276 explained  ·  119th Congress  ·  Became law

To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.

Create a free account or sign in to follow H.R. 1276 and get alerts. Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources Create a free account or sign in to follow the Public Lands and Natural Resources policy area and get alerts. ▲ 38 days since action Sponsor: James Comer, KY-01, R → Congress.gov

Cosponsors: none · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-14

Introduced: 2025-02-13

Latest action (2026-09-11): Became Public Law No: 119-105.

What H.R. 1276 does, in plain terms

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to remove all deed restrictions from approximately 3.62 acres located at 2956 Park Avenue, on the Paducah Memorial Army Reserve Center in Paducah, Kentucky. The restrictions include easements, exceptions, reservations, terms, conditions, and covenants described in the quitclaim deed that was executed on April 27, 2012. The deed conveyed land from Interior to the City of Paducah, Kentucky.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.

Constitution Index

“VFA Constitution grade”

Not graded yet

H.R. 1276 has not been graded yet. New measures with an official summary are graded daily under the published rubric.

The Framers

“Founders’ Verdict”

CONDITIONAL

Confidence 0.75

Archived SI output (machine-generated)

No editorial review recorded. This historical SI verdict was machine-generated by software and predates the review desk; check it against the official bill text.

Synthesis

The bill is constitutional only if the removal of deed restrictions serves a legitimate enumerated federal purpose and does not impair contractual obligations or infringe on state property law reserved under the Tenth Amendment.

Hamilton YES

This bill is a straightforward exercise of Congress's power over federal property under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, which grants Congress the authority to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. The removal of deed restrictions from a small parcel of land previously conveyed to a city is a permissible disposition of federal property, as it simply completes the transfer by eliminating encumbrances that may hinder the city's use of the land. There is no conflict with any enumerated power or constitution…

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 Federalist No. 32
Jefferson CONDITIONAL

The Constitution grants Congress authority over federal property under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, which empowers Congress to dispose of and make all needful rules respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. However, the Tenth Amendment reserves to the states and the people all powers not delegated to the federal government. Removing deed restrictions from a specific parcel of land, when the land has already been conveyed to a city, may interfere with state and local property laws and contractual obligations. This action is constitutional only if it does not…

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 Amendment X Article I, Section 10, Clause 1
Madison CONDITIONAL

The Constitution grants Congress authority over federal property under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, which empowers Congress to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. However, the removal of deed restrictions from a specific parcel, particularly when the land has already been conveyed to a city, raises questions about the proper scope of federal power and the protection of contractual obligations. If the restrictions serve a public purpose, such as ensuring the land is used for a specific federal inter…

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 Federalist No. 10
Marshall YES

This bill is a straightforward exercise of Congress's power over federal property under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, which grants Congress the authority to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. The removal of deed restrictions from a parcel of land previously conveyed to a municipality falls within this plenary power, as it merely adjusts the terms of a prior disposition. The Constitution does not require Congress to retain perpetual restrictions on land it has sold or granted; rather, it may modify …

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
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