Legis Daily

Small Cemetery Conveyance Act

USA119th CongressHR-4284| House 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Jeff Hurd (Republican)

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act, amends the Small Tract Act of 1983 to empower the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specific parcels of federal land that are currently or were previously used as cemeteries. These conveyances can be made without monetary consideration to qualified entities, such as State or local governments, Indian Tribes, or qualified land grant-merceds, which have a bona fide interest or historic claim to the cemetery. A key provision mandates that any conveyed property must be used exclusively for the purpose of operating a cemetery . Should the Secretary determine that the land is used for any other purpose, all rights and title to the parcel may revert to the United States. The bill also allows the Secretary to waive certain conveyance costs for qualified persons based on demonstrated need, easing the financial burden on recipients. The Act defines a "cemetery" as a location for human remains, part of a death rite or common burying ground, or determined by an Indian Tribe, not exceeding 40 acres. Importantly, the legislation explicitly states that it does not modify or waive the application of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Jul 2, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 2, 2025
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 concerned.
Sep 11, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Sep 18, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Dec 17, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 17, 2025
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Jan 14, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.
Jan 14, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Jan 14, 2026
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Mar 16, 2026
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 16, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mar 16, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)
Mar 16, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.
Mar 16, 2026
Passed/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, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 16, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 16, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Mar 16, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 17, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • July 2, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 2, 2025
    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 concerned.


  • September 11, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • September 18, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • December 17, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 17, 2025
    Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged


  • January 14, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.


  • January 14, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.


  • January 14, 2026
    Committee on Agriculture discharged.


  • March 16, 2026
    Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • March 16, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • March 16, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)


  • March 16, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.


  • March 16, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)


  • March 16, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 16, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 16, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)


  • March 16, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 17, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Cemeteries and funeralsLand transfersLand use and conservation

Small Cemetery Conveyance Act

USA119th CongressHR-4284| House 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
This legislation, known as the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act, amends the Small Tract Act of 1983 to empower the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specific parcels of federal land that are currently or were previously used as cemeteries. These conveyances can be made without monetary consideration to qualified entities, such as State or local governments, Indian Tribes, or qualified land grant-merceds, which have a bona fide interest or historic claim to the cemetery. A key provision mandates that any conveyed property must be used exclusively for the purpose of operating a cemetery . Should the Secretary determine that the land is used for any other purpose, all rights and title to the parcel may revert to the United States. The bill also allows the Secretary to waive certain conveyance costs for qualified persons based on demonstrated need, easing the financial burden on recipients. The Act defines a "cemetery" as a location for human remains, part of a death rite or common burying ground, or determined by an Indian Tribe, not exceeding 40 acres. Importantly, the legislation explicitly states that it does not modify or waive the application of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 2, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 2, 2025
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 concerned.
Sep 11, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Sep 18, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Dec 17, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 17, 2025
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Jan 14, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.
Jan 14, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Jan 14, 2026
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Mar 16, 2026
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 16, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mar 16, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)
Mar 16, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.
Mar 16, 2026
Passed/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, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 16, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 16, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Mar 16, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 17, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • July 2, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 2, 2025
    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 concerned.


  • September 11, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • September 18, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • December 17, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 17, 2025
    Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged


  • January 14, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.


  • January 14, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.


  • January 14, 2026
    Committee on Agriculture discharged.


  • March 16, 2026
    Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • March 16, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • March 16, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)


  • March 16, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.


  • March 16, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)


  • March 16, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 16, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 16, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)


  • March 16, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 17, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Jeff Hurd (Republican)

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Cemeteries and funeralsLand transfersLand use and conservation