H.R. 1829: Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025
Sponsor
Elijah Crane
Republican · AZ-2
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 4, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Why it matters
The bill has already passed the House and would give two Arizona counties a clear path to take over small pieces of federal forest land for cemetery use.
Politically, this is the kind of small public-lands bill that can move because it solves a specific local problem without creating a major new federal program. But it still raises the usual questions that come with land conveyances: whether federal land should be transferred without payment, whether the added Apache County tract is larger than what a cemetery alone requires, and how tightly the Forest Service will define acceptable cemetery use.
What does H.R. 1829 do?
Transfers land to Navajo County
The bill requires the Agriculture Secretary to transfer about 5 acres of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest land to Navajo County if the county requests it within 180 days of enactment.
Transfers land to Apache County
The bill requires the Agriculture Secretary to transfer about 10.62 acres of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest land to Apache County if the county requests it within 365 days of enactment.
Land must stay in cemetery use
Both counties must use the transferred land as a cemetery. If the land is used for something inconsistent with that purpose, it reverts back to the federal government.
Counties get the land for free
The conveyances are made without payment to the federal government, though the counties must pay all transaction-related costs.
Counties pay survey and review costs
Each county must cover the cost of any needed surveys, environmental analysis, and resource surveys required by federal law.
Transfer keeps existing rights in place
The land transfer would be subject to valid existing rights, and the Secretary can add terms needed to protect federal interests.
Who benefits from H.R. 1829?
Navajo County, Arizona
The county would gain ownership of existing and expansion cemetery land, giving it more direct control over burial space and local planning.
Apache County, Arizona
The county would take ownership of the existing Alpine Cemetery area and nearby additional land, allowing local management instead of relying on federal ownership.
Residents of Pinedale and Alpine area communities
People in these rural communities could benefit from more reliable, locally managed cemetery space close to home.
Local families needing burial space
Families could see fewer barriers to cemetery expansion and upkeep because the land would be controlled by county governments rather than the Forest Service.
Who is affected by H.R. 1829?
U.S. Forest Service
The agency would have to complete the conveyances, approve surveys, maintain public map records, and give up federal ownership of the specified parcels.
National forest users
People who use the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests could lose access to these small parcels because they would no longer be federal public land.
County governments
Apache and Navajo Counties would take on the costs, legal responsibilities, and long-term management duties that come with owning and operating cemetery land.
Federal taxpayers
Taxpayers would see federal land conveyed without payment, though local governments rather than the federal government would pay the direct transaction costs.
H.R. 1829 Common Questions
How much land would Navajo County get for the Pinedale cemetery expansion?
Under the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 (Section 2), Navajo County could receive about 5 acres total: roughly 2.5 acres of existing cemetery land and 2.5 acres for expansion.
How much land would Apache County receive for the Alpine cemetery townsite tract?
According to H.R. 1829 Section 3, Apache County could receive about 10.62 acres total, including about 2.56 acres of existing cemetery land and an 8.06-acre proposed townsite tract.
Can Navajo County get the cemetery land for free under H.R. 1829?
Yes. Under the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 (Section 2), the land is conveyed without consideration, meaning no purchase price for the land itself.
Does Apache County have to pay survey and environmental review costs for the land transfer?
Yes. Under the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 (Section 3), Apache County must pay all conveyance costs, including surveys, environmental analysis, and required resource surveys.
How long does Navajo County have to request the forest land transfer?
According to H.R. 1829 Section 2, Navajo County must submit a written request within 180 days after enactment.
How long does Apache County have to request the cemetery land conveyance?
Under the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 (Section 3), Apache County has 365 days after enactment to submit a written request.
What happens if the transferred land is used for something other than a cemetery?
Under the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 (Sections 2 and 3), if the land is used inconsistently with cemetery use, all right, title, and interest revert to the United States.
Is the cemetery land transfer subject to existing rights on the land?
Yes. Under the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 (Sections 2 and 3), each conveyance is subject to valid existing rights.
Does H.R. 1829 transfer the land by quitclaim deed?
Yes. According to H.R. 1829 Sections 2 and 3, both county conveyances are made by quitclaim deed.
Based on H.R. 1829 bill text
HR1829 Legislative Journey
Passed Committee
Mar 4, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Committee Action
May 14, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
House: Vote: 1975-1976
May 13, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1975-1976)
House: Committee Action
Mar 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
About the Sponsor
Elijah Crane
Republican, Arizona's 2nd congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Homeland Security, Oversight and Government Reform
View full profile →
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
0 of 20 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Natural Resources Committee
0 of 43 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
35 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 1829 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Introduced
- Mar 4, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Mar 4, 2026
Official Sources
Full bill text, cosponsors, actions, and committee referrals for the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025.
Official Forest Service page for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, whose land parcels near Pinedale and Alpine would be conveyed under this bill.
Hearing where the Senate Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee received testimony on H.R. 1829 alongside other public lands bills.
The Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over this bill, responsible for oversight of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.
The House committee that originally received and advanced H.R. 1829 before it passed the full House by voice vote.
Official website for Navajo County, which would receive approximately 5 acres of Pinedale cemetery land under this bill.
Official website for Apache County, which would receive approximately 10.62 acres including the Alpine Cemetery townsite tract under this bill.
The CERCLA provision whose subsection (h) environmental review requirements are explicitly waived for these land conveyances.
H.R. 1829 Bill Text
“To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain lands within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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