H.R. 3187 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes.
Cosponsors: none · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-09
Introduced: 2025-05-05
Latest action (2025-12-16): Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 295.
What H.R. 3187 does, in plain terms
This bill directs the Forest Service to convey approximately one acre of land to Perry County, Arkansas, upon the request of the county. The county must use the land for public purposes, such as supporting education and youth development. If it ceases to be used for such purposes, then the property must, at the discretion of the Forest Service, revert to the United States. The exact acreage of land to be conveyed must be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Forest Service. The conveyance must be subject to valid existing rights, made without consideration, made by quitclaim deed, and subject to other terms and conditions that the Forest Service considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. As a condition of the conveyance, the county must pay costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of a survey, any environmental analysis or resources survey required under federal law, and any analysis required to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act. The bill prohibits the Forest Service from having to provide any covenant or warranty for the property and improvements conveyed to the county.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
“VFA Constitution grade”
Constitutionally sound
Graded 2026-10-09
SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology
This bill is a straightforward federal land conveyance authorized by the Property Clause. It does not expand federal power, restrict individual rights, or implicate due process or takings concerns. It transfers a small parcel of federal land to a county for public uses, consistent with constitutional principles.
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✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
Congress has explicit authority over federal property under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, which grants Congress power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. Conveying a Forest Service parcel to Perry County is a valid exercise of that property power. -
✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
The bill does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, press, petition, arms, or any other right protected by the Bill of Rights. It merely authorizes a land transfer between governmental entities. No amendment is implicated. -
✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
The conveyance does not restrict what any person may do with their own person, property, speech, labor, or belief. The land is federal property, and the bill directs its transfer to a county government rather than imposing obligations on private individuals. -
✓ Passes · Decentralization
The bill moves control and ownership of a specific one-acre parcel from the federal government to a county government, which is a lower, more local level of government. This does not consolidate decision-making upward; if anything, it returns administration of local land to local authorities. -
✓ Passes · Due process and takings
No private property is taken. The bill disposes of federal land by quitclaim deed, without consideration, and subject to valid existing rights. It does not deprive any person of property without due process, nor does it implicate the Fifth Amendment Takings Clause.
Sources: Congress.gov: HR 3187 summary
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