Small Cemetery Conveyance Act

Key Points

• This bill allows the Department of Agriculture to give away small pieces of federal land, up to 40 acres, that are already being used as cemeteries. This helps local communities gain legal ownership of burial sites located on federal property.
• The land can be transferred for free to local governments, Indian Tribes, or historical community groups that have a long-standing connection to the burial site. This is especially helpful for traditional land grant communities in places like New Mexico.
• The new owners must agree to keep using the land only as a cemetery. If the Secretary of Agriculture finds the land is being used for any other purpose, the federal government can take the property back.
• The government can waive the usual administrative fees and paperwork costs for the transfer if the local group shows they have a financial need. This makes it easier for smaller or lower-income communities to take over management of their own cemeteries.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.