Small Cemetery Conveyance Act

119 HR 4284 EH: Small Cemetery Conveyance Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 4284

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Small Tract Act of 1983 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey, without consideration, certain cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act.

2.Conveyances of certain cemeteries (a)Amendments to Small Tract Act of 1983The Small Tract Act of 1983 (16 U.S.C. 521c et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 2(a)— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (C)by adding at the end the following: (3)to convey, without consideration, certain parcels used, or previously used, as cemeteries in accordance with section 9.; (2)in section 3(6), by striking a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery), a landfill, or and inserting a landfill or; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

9.Conveyances of certain cemeteries (a)In generalThe Secretary may convey, without consideration, to a qualified person any parcel of land used, or previously used, as a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery). (b)Condition of conveyanceA conveyance under subsection (a) shall be subject to the condition that the property conveyed under that subsection may only be used for the purpose of operating a cemetery. (c)ReversionIf the Secretary determines that at any time a parcel conveyed under subsection (a) is used for a purpose other than the purpose required under subsection (b), all right, title, and interest in and to the parcel conveyed pursuant to such subsection, including any improvements thereon, shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States. (d)Waiver of conveyance costs (1)Exception availableThe Secretary may waive the application of any requirement under section 4 to a conveyance to a qualified person under this section if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is appropriate based upon the demonstrated need of the qualified person. (2)Clarification of authorityThe waiver authority under paragraph (1) shall be in addition to the authority available to the Secretary pursuant to the last sentence of section 4. (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)CemeteryThe term cemetery means a natural or prepared physical location (regardless of location below, on, or above the surface of the earth) into which human remains are deposited— (A) (i)as part of— (I)a death rite or ceremony of a culture; or (II)a common burying ground of a community; or (ii)that is determined to be a cemetery by an Indian Tribe; and (B)that, as determined by the Secretary, is a parcel of land less than or equal to 40 acres. (2)Indian TribeThe term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any individually identified and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, affiliated Tribal group, or component reservation included on the most recent list published pursuant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)). (3)Qualified land grant-mercedThe term qualified land grant-merced means a community land grant issued under the laws or customs of the Government of Spain or Mexico that— (A)is recognized under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49, Articles 1 and 4 (or a successor statute); and (B) (i)has a record of historical or traditional use on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; or (ii)has a patented exterior boundary that is or was previously located on or adjacent to Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. (4)Qualified personThe term qualified person means, with respect to a cemetery, a State or local government, Indian Tribe, or qualified land grant-merced that has a bona fide interest or historic claim to the cemetery.. (b)Rule of constructionNothing in this section or an amendment made by this section may be construed to modify, waive, or otherwise affect the application of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.). Passed the House of Representatives March 16, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

119 HR 4284 IH: Small Cemetery Conveyance Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-07-02 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4284IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 2, 2025Ms. Leger Fernandez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo amend the Small Tract Act of 1983 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey, without consideration, certain cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act.

2.Conveyances of certain cemeteries (a)Amendments to Small Tract Act of 1983The Small Tract Act of 1983 (16 U.S.C. 521c et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 2(a)— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting and; and (C)by adding at the end the following: (3)to convey, without consideration, certain parcels used, or previously used, as cemeteries in accordance with section 9.; (2)in section 3(6), by striking a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery), a landfill, or and inserting a landfill or; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

9.Conveyances of certain cemeteries (a)In generalThe Secretary may convey, without consideration, to a qualified person any parcel of land used, or previously used, as a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery). (b)Condition of conveyanceA conveyance under subsection (a) shall be subject to the condition that the property conveyed under that subsection may only be used for the purpose of operating a cemetery. (c)ReversionIf the Secretary determines that at any time a parcel conveyed under subsection (a) is used for a purpose other than the purpose required under subsection (b), all right, title, and interest in and to the parcel conveyed pursuant to such subsection, including any improvements thereon, shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States. (d)Waiver of conveyance costs (1)Exception availableThe Secretary may waive the application of any requirement under section 4 to a conveyance to a qualified person under this section if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is appropriate based upon the demonstrated need of the qualified person. (2)Clarification of authorityThe waiver authority under paragraph (1) shall be in addition to the authority available to the Secretary pursuant to the last sentence of section 4. (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)CemeteryThe term cemetery means a natural or prepared physical location (regardless of location below, on, or above the surface of the earth) into which human remains are deposited— (A) (i)as part of— (I)a death rite or ceremony of a culture; or (II)a common burying ground of a community; or (ii)that is determined to be a cemetery by an Indian Tribe; and (B)that, as determined by the Secretary, is a parcel of land less than or equal to 40 acres. (2)Indian TribeThe term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any individually identified and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, affiliated Tribal group, or component reservation included on the most recent list published pursuant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)). (3)Qualified land grant-mercedThe term qualified land grant-merced means a community land grant issued under the laws or customs of the Government of Spain or Mexico that— (A)is recognized under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49, Articles 1 and 4 (or a successor statute); and (B) (i)has a record of historical or traditional use on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; or (ii)has a patented exterior boundary that is or was previously located on or adjacent to Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. (4)Qualified personThe term qualified person means, with respect to a cemetery, a State or local government, Indian Tribe, or qualified land grant-merced that has a bona fide interest or historic claim to the cemetery.. (b)Rule of constructionNothing in this section or an amendment made by this section may be construed to modify, waive, or otherwise affect the application of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.).

119 HR 4284 : Small Cemetery Conveyance Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 4284IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 17, 2026Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryAN ACTTo amend the Small Tract Act of 1983 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey, without consideration, certain cemeteries, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act.2.Conveyances of certain cemeteries(a)Amendments to Small Tract Act of 1983The Small Tract Act of 1983 (16 U.S.C. 521c et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 2(a)—(A)in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;(B)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(3)to convey, without consideration, certain parcels used, or previously used, as cemeteries in accordance with section 9.;(2)in section 3(6), by striking a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery), a landfill, or and inserting a landfill or; and(3)by adding at the end the following:9.Conveyances of certain cemeteries(a)In generalThe Secretary may convey, without consideration, to a qualified person any parcel of land used, or previously used, as a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery).(b)Condition of conveyanceA conveyance under subsection (a) shall be subject to the condition that the property conveyed under that subsection may only be used for the purpose of operating a cemetery.(c)ReversionIf the Secretary determines that at any time a parcel conveyed under subsection (a) is used for a purpose other than the purpose required under subsection (b), all right, title, and interest in and to the parcel conveyed pursuant to such subsection, including any improvements thereon, shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.(d)Waiver of conveyance costs(1)Exception availableThe Secretary may waive the application of any requirement under section 4 to a conveyance to a qualified person under this section if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is appropriate based upon the demonstrated need of the qualified person.(2)Clarification of authorityThe waiver authority under paragraph (1) shall be in addition to the authority available to the Secretary pursuant to the last sentence of section

4.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)CemeteryThe term cemetery means a natural or prepared physical location (regardless of location below, on, or above the surface of the earth) into which human remains are deposited—(A)(i)as part of—(I)a death rite or ceremony of a culture; or(II)a common burying ground of a community; or(ii)that is determined to be a cemetery by an Indian Tribe; and(B)that, as determined by the Secretary, is a parcel of land less than or equal to 40 acres.(2)Indian TribeThe term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any individually identified and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, affiliated Tribal group, or component reservation included on the most recent list published pursuant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)).(3)Qualified land grant-mercedThe term qualified land grant-merced means a community land grant issued under the laws or customs of the Government of Spain or Mexico that—(A)is recognized under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49, Articles 1 and 4 (or a successor statute); and(B)(i)has a record of historical or traditional use on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; or(ii)has a patented exterior boundary that is or was previously located on or adjacent to Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.(4)Qualified personThe term qualified person means, with respect to a cemetery, a State or local government, Indian Tribe, or qualified land grant-merced that has a bona fide interest or historic claim to the cemetery..(b)Rule of constructionNothing in this section or an amendment made by this section may be construed to modify, waive, or otherwise affect the application of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.).Passed the House of Representatives March 16, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

119 HR 4284 RH: Small Cemetery Conveyance Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-01-14 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 389119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 4284[Report No. 119–454, Part I]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 2, 2025Ms. Leger Fernandez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedJanuary 14, 2026Additional sponsor: Mr. Hurd of ColoradoJanuary 14, 2026Reported from the Committee on Natural ResourcesJanuary 14, 2026Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printedA BILLTo amend the Small Tract Act of 1983 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey, without consideration, certain cemeteries, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act.2.Conveyances of certain cemeteries(a)Amendments to Small Tract Act of 1983The Small Tract Act of 1983 (16 U.S.C. 521c et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 2(a)—(A)in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;(B)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting and; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(3)to convey, without consideration, certain parcels used, or previously used, as cemeteries in accordance with section 9.;(2)in section 3(6), by striking a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery), a landfill, or and inserting a landfill or; and(3)by adding at the end the following:9.Conveyances of certain cemeteries(a)In generalThe Secretary may convey, without consideration, to a qualified person any parcel of land used, or previously used, as a cemetery (including a parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery).(b)Condition of conveyanceA conveyance under subsection (a) shall be subject to the condition that the property conveyed under that subsection may only be used for the purpose of operating a cemetery.(c)ReversionIf the Secretary determines that at any time a parcel conveyed under subsection (a) is used for a purpose other than the purpose required under subsection (b), all right, title, and interest in and to the parcel conveyed pursuant to such subsection, including any improvements thereon, shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.(d)Waiver of conveyance costs(1)Exception availableThe Secretary may waive the application of any requirement under section 4 to a conveyance to a qualified person under this section if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is appropriate based upon the demonstrated need of the qualified person.(2)Clarification of authorityThe waiver authority under paragraph (1) shall be in addition to the authority available to the Secretary pursuant to the last sentence of section

4.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)CemeteryThe term cemetery means a natural or prepared physical location (regardless of location below, on, or above the surface of the earth) into which human remains are deposited—(A)(i)as part of—(I)a death rite or ceremony of a culture; or(II)a common burying ground of a community; or(ii)that is determined to be a cemetery by an Indian Tribe; and(B)that, as determined by the Secretary, is a parcel of land less than or equal to 40 acres.(2)Indian TribeThe term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any individually identified and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, affiliated Tribal group, or component reservation included on the most recent list published pursuant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)).(3)Qualified land grant-mercedThe term qualified land grant-merced means a community land grant issued under the laws or customs of the Government of Spain or Mexico that—(A)is recognized under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49, Articles 1 and 4 (or a successor statute); and(B)(i)has a record of historical or traditional use on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; or(ii)has a patented exterior boundary that is or was previously located on or adjacent to Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.(4)Qualified personThe term qualified person means, with respect to a cemetery, a State or local government, Indian Tribe, or qualified land grant-merced that has a bona fide interest or historic claim to the cemetery..(b)Rule of constructionNothing in this section or an amendment made by this section may be construed to modify, waive, or otherwise affect the application of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.).January 14, 2026Reported from the Committee on Natural ResourcesJanuary 14, 2026Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed