City of Yuma Improvement Act
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 109-454.
Official Summary
City of Yuma Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey all U.S. interests in specified federal land in Arizona to the city of Yuma, Arizona, in exchange for specified nonfederal land (Railroad Parcels). Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to administer the nonfederal land acquired. Requires all administrative costs relating to the conveyance of the federal and nonfederal land to be paid by the city to the United States. Requires an independent appraisal of the federal and nonfederal land in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Requires the values of the federal and nonfederal land to be equal. Permits the equalization of unequal land values by means of cash equalization payments. Directs the Secretary to convey to the city, by quitclaim deed, in exchange for its fair market value, all U.S. interests in and to the parcel of land of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land located at 356 West First Street in Yuma. Requires the city, in exchange for such conveyance, to pay to the Secretary consideration in an amount that reflects the fair market value of the land conveyed to the city. Requires any administrative costs related to such conveyance to be paid by the city to the United States. Makes amounts paid to the Secretary as consideration available for: (1) the administrative costs of such conveyance to the city; and (2) the costs of constructing the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge headquarters and visitor center in Yuma.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The City of Yuma Improvement Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer federal land interests in Arizona to the city of Yuma in exchange for specified nonfederal land parcels. The Secretary, through the Commissioner of Reclamation, will manage the nonfederal land acquired. The city of Yuma is responsible for all administrative costs related to the land exchanges. Independent appraisals must be conducted to ensure the federal and nonfederal land values are equal, with cash payments allowed to equalize any differences. Additionally, the Secretary will convey a parcel of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land to the city in exchange for fair market value, with the city paying consideration and administrative costs. Funds received by the Secretary will be used to cover administrative costs and to construct the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge headquarters and visitor center in Yuma.
This law facilitates a land exchange between the federal government and the city of Yuma, Arizona, with provisions for fair market valuation, cost recovery, and funding for wildlife refuge infrastructure.
- Transfers federal land interests in Arizona to the city of Yuma in exchange for nonfederal land parcels.
- Requires independent appraisals to ensure equal land value and permits cash equalization payments.
- Makes the city responsible for all administrative costs related to the land conveyances.
- Authorizes use of funds received for administrative costs and construction of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge headquarters and visitor center.
['City of Yuma, Arizona', 'U.S. Department of the Interior', 'U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service', 'Visitors and stakeholders of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge']
['Ensuring accurate and impartial independent appraisals to determine fair market values.', 'Administrative cost recovery depends on the city’s ability to pay, which could affect timing or completion of conveyances.', 'Oversight of fund allocation for construction projects to ensure proper use of payments received.']
The bill was introduced in the Senate during the 109th Congress and was signed into law on December 22, 2006. It addresses land management and local government interests in Arizona, specifically facilitating land exchanges to benefit the city of Yuma and federal wildlife refuge infrastructure.
High concern review — 3 hidden impact flags detected
GovScope reviewed 3 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Potential enhancement of local government capacity and land use planning in Yuma through acquisition of federal land.', 'Improved visitor services and infrastructure at the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge due to funded construction projects.', 'Possible administrative burden on the city of Yuma related to payment and management of conveyance costs.']
The bill includes clear provisions for cost recovery and independent appraisals to ensure fair land value exchanges, which supports transparency and accountability. Oversight mechanisms for fund allocation toward refuge infrastructure construction should be monitored to ensure compliance with the law’s intent. The absence of the full bill text limits detailed analysis of specific procedural or enforcement provisions.
GovScope Intelligence Roadmap
Future bill intelligence will connect sponsors, committee referrals, related votes, campaign finance, disclosures, and stock trades into one legislative intelligence view.