[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9789-H9790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SOUTHEAST ALASKA REGIONAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM LAND TRANSFER ACT OF 2017
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (S. 825) to provide for the conveyance of certain
property to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium located in
Sitka, Alaska, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 825
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Southeast Alaska Regional
Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY.
(a) In General.--As soon as practicable, but not later than
2 years, after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this
Act as the ``Secretary'') shall convey to the Southeast
Alaska Regional Health Consortium located in Sitka, Alaska
(referred to in this Act as the ``Consortium''), all right,
title, and interest of the United States in and to the
property described in section 3 for use in connection with
health and social services programs.
(b) Effect on Any Quitclaim Deed.--The conveyance by the
Secretary of title by warranty deeds under this section
shall, on the effective date of the conveyance, supersede and
render of no future effect any quitclaim deed to the property
described in section 3 executed by the Secretary and the
Consortium.
(c) Conditions.--The conveyance of the property under this
Act--
(1) shall be made by warranty deed; and
(2) shall not--
(A) require any consideration from the Consortium for the
property;
(B) impose any obligation, term, or condition on the
Consortium; or
(C) allow for any reversionary interest of the United
States in the property.
SEC. 3. PROPERTY DESCRIBED.
The property, including all land and appurtenances,
described in this section is the property included in U.S.
Survey 1496, Lots 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11A, 11A Parcel A, and 11B,
partially surveyed Township 55 South, Range 63 East of the
Copper River Meridian, containing 19.07 acres, in Sitka,
Alaska.
SEC. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY.
(a) Liability.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Consortium shall not be liable for any soil, surface
water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the
disposal, release, or presence of any environmental
contamination on any portion of the property described in
section 3 on or before the date on which the property is
conveyed to the Consortium, except that the Secretary shall
not be liable for any contamination that occurred after the
date on which the Consortium controlled, occupied, and used
such property.
(2) Environmental contamination.--An environmental
contamination described in paragraph (1) includes any oil or
petroleum products, hazardous substances, hazardous
materials, hazardous waste, pollutants, toxic substances,
solid waste, or any other environmental contamination or
hazard as defined in any Federal or State of Alaska law.
(b) Easement.--The Secretary shall be accorded any easement
or access to the property conveyed under this Act as may be
reasonably necessary to satisfy any retained obligation or
liability of the Secretary.
(c) Notice of Hazardous Substance Activity and Warranty.--
In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall comply with
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 120(h)(3) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)(3)).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alaska.
General Leave
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Alaska?
There was no objection.
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 825, the Southeast Alaska
Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017.
The consortium provides comprehensive healthcare to Native
communities throughout Alaska's panhandle. It also delivers healthcare
on behalf of the Federal Government through self-determination
compacting.
The consortium operates Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka, a 25-bed,
[[Page H9790]]
critical-access facility. The hospital was constructed towards the end
of World War II. It is in dire need of updating due to its age and
condition.
For the consortium to secure financing for the project to update the
conditions of the facilities, they need land on the hospital campus,
which is currently held by IHS, conveyed by warranty deed.
S. 825 is a companion bill to my bill, H.R. 1901. Simply, it would
transfer 19 acres of Federal land to the consortium, allowing them to
update and improve healthcare services for Alaska Natives.
From the 112th to the 114th Congress, three of my bills that
authorized similar land transfers for different entities were signed
into law. These bills were nearly identical to S. 825.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Bishop and his staff for
moving this bill through committee. I would also like to thank Ranking
Member Grijalva and his staff for their bipartisan work on this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this
bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium,
composed of 18 Native communities, is one of the oldest and largest
Native-run health organizations in the Nation. The consortium operates
the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka, Alaska, which serves as a regional
hospital for people throughout southeast Alaska.
At 67 years old, the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital is the oldest facility in
Alaska and one of the oldest in the Nation. As such, it is in dire need
of updates and repairs.
However, the title to the hospital is currently held by the Indian
Health Service. In order to obtain the financing necessary to
facilitate the renovations, it is necessary for the consortium to hold
unencumbered warranty title to the land. S. 825 will convey the land to
the consortium by warranty title to ensure that the process moves
forward.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 825.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________