Small Cemetery Conveyance Act
Legislative Progress
Plain English Summary
AI-generatedPlain-English Summary: Small Cemetery Conveyance Act
This bill deals with the transfer of ownership of small cemeteries that are located on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Specifically, it would allow the federal government to convey, or hand over, these cemetery properties to local governments, nonprofit organizations, or other appropriate parties who can take responsibility for their long-term care and maintenance. The idea is that small, historic, or community cemeteries situated within national forests may be better managed by local entities that have a direct connection to those burial sites rather than by the federal government.
The bill primarily affects rural communities and families who have ancestors buried in cemeteries on national forest land. In many cases, these sites have historical or cultural significance to nearby towns and descendants of those buried there, but the federal government's land management priorities don't always align well with cemetery upkeep. By transferring ownership, local caretakers — such as county governments, historical societies, or community nonprofits — would have the legal authority and responsibility to maintain, preserve, and provide access to these sites.
The bill passed the House of Representatives by voice vote and has been sent to the Senate, where it was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not yet become law. The legislation appears to be narrow in scope, addressing a practical administrative issue rather than making broad policy changes, and it passed the House without significant recorded opposition.
This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
March 17, 2026
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Committees
Legislative History
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mar 17, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.
Mar 16, 2026Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 16, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)
Mar 16, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 16, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Mar 16, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Mar 16, 2026Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Jan 14, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.
Jan 14, 2026Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Jan 14, 2026Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Jan 14, 2026Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Jan 14, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 17, 2025Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Dec 17, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
Sep 18, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Sep 11, 2025Referred 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 concerned.
Jul 2, 2025Referred 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 concerned.
Jul 2, 2025Introduced in House
Jul 2, 2025Introduced in House
Jul 2, 2025