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.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.
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)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in House
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.
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)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.
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)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in House
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 389.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-454, Part I.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2510-2511)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4284.
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)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2510)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.