[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.

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