118 S2854 IS: To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the city of Fargo, North Dakota, for the conveyance of certain land of the Department of Veterans Affairs at Fargo National Cemetery, and for other purposes. U.S. Senate 2023-09-19 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2854IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 19, 2023Mr. Hoeven (for himself and Ms. Smith) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the city of Fargo, North Dakota, for the conveyance of certain land of the Department of Veterans Affairs at Fargo National Cemetery, and for other purposes.

1.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

City

The term City means the city of Fargo, North Dakota. (2)

Department

The term Department means the Department of Veterans Affairs.(3)

Parcel

The term parcel means the approximately 2.73 acres of land of the Department of Veterans Affairs at Fargo National Cemetery in Harwood, North Dakota, located in the southeast corner of the proposed expansion of the cemetery as depicted on the map provided by the Department entitled Fargo National CemeteryFigure B and dated April 21, 2023.(4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

2.

Conveyance of Department of Veterans Affairs land at Fargo National Cemetery

(a)

In general

After the acquisition by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 29.06 acres adjacent to the original 4.82-acre area of Fargo National Cemetery, North Dakota, and only if such acquisition is completed, upon a written request from the City for the conveyance of the parcel, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the City under which the Secretary shall convey to the City all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the parcel for the purpose of improving the experience of visitors and volunteers at Fargo National Cemetery.(b)

Consideration

(1)

In general

Under the agreement described in subsection (a), for the conveyance of the parcel, the City shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the market value of the parcel, as determined by the appraisal conducted under paragraph (2). (2)

Appraisal

The Secretary shall conduct an appraisal of the parcel to be conveyed under subsection (a) in accordance with—(A)the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions;(B)the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; and(C)any other applicable law (including regulations).(c)

Additional conditions

The Secretary may require such additional conditions in connection with the conveyance of the parcel as the Secretary considers appropriate.(d)

Proceeds

Proceeds from the conveyance of the parcel shall be deposited into the National Cemetery Administration Facilities Operation Fund.

3.

Rules of construction

(a)

No requirement for purchase or sale of other parcels

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or encourage the Secretary to purchase or sell any parcel not described in section 1(3).(b)

No requirement for special agreements

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or encourage the Secretary to enter into any special agreement with an entity not described in section 1(1).