Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 211 (Monday, December 15, 2025)

[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 211 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H5880-H5883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION LAND TRANSFER ACT OF 2025

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3620) to provide for the conveyance of certain property to
the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 3620

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 ``Southcentral Foundation Land
Transfer Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) SCF.--The term ``SCF'' means the Southcentral
Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.

SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY TO SCF.

(a) In General.--As soon as practicable, but not later than
2 years, after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall convey to SCF all right, title, and interest
of the United States in and to the property described in
subsection (b) for use in connection with health and social
services programs.
(b) Property Described.--The property, including all land,
improvements, and appurtenances, referred to in this section
is the approximately 3.372 acres located in Lot 1A, Block 36
East Addition, Anchorage Townsite Subdivision in Anchorage,
Alaska, according to the official plat thereof, filed under
Plat No. 2025-11, records of the Anchorage Recording
District, Third Judicial District, State of Alaska.

SEC. 4. CONDITIONS OF CONVEYANCE.

(a) Conditions.--The conveyance under subsection (a) of
section 3--
(1) shall be made by warranty deed; and
(2) shall not--
(A) require any consideration from SCF for the property
described in subsection (b) of that section;

[[Page H5881]]

(B) impose any obligation, term, or condition on SCF
relating to that property; or
(C) allow for any reversionary interest of the United
States in that property.
(b) Effect on Any Quitclaim Deed.--The conveyance by the
Secretary under subsection (a) of section 3 by warranty deed
shall, on the effective date of the conveyance, supersede,
and render of no future effect, any quitclaim deed to the
property described in subsection (b) of that section executed
by the Secretary and SCF.
(c) Easement.--The Secretary shall be accorded any easement
or access to the property conveyed under section 3(a) as may
be reasonably necessary to satisfy any retained obligation or
liability of the Secretary.

SEC. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, SCF shall not be liable for any soil, surface water,
groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the
disposal, release, or presence of any environmental
contamination described in subsection (b) on any portion of
the property described in section 3(b) that occurred on or
before the date on which the property is conveyed to SCF
under section 3(a), except that the Secretary shall not be
liable for any contamination that occurred after the date
that SCF controlled, occupied, and used the property.
(b) Environmental Contamination.--Environmental
contamination referred to in subsection (a) 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.
(c) Notice of Hazardous Substance Activity and Warranty.--
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall comply with
section 120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)).
(d) Limitation on Applicability.--This section shall only
apply to the property conveyance specifically required by
this Act.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Stauber) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr.
Hernandez) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.

general leave

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3620, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3620, the Southcentral
Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025, sponsored by my colleague,
Representative Begich of Alaska. This would transfer approximately 3.4
acres of Federal land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral
Foundation.
Southcentral Foundation is a tribally-operated health organization
serving Alaska Native people under the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act. This parcel, currently owned by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, has housed Southcentral
Foundation's behavioral health programs since 1994, for over 30 years.
However, the foundation does not currently hold title to the
property. As a result, it cannot secure financing to improve or replace
the aging facility, meaning that it cannot take full advantage of
opportunities to expand mental health services for the Alaska Native
population that it serves.
H.R. 3620 corrects this by conveying the land to Southcentral
Foundation so it may move forward with plans to construct a modern
behavioral health facility. The foundation has already coordinated with
the municipality of Anchorage to rezone the land in anticipation of
this project. Once the bill is signed into law, construction can and
will begin immediately.
This is a commonsense measure that supports Tribal self-
determination. It empowers a proven provider to serve its community
with up-to-date infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Begich for introducing this bill
and for his hard work and leadership on Alaska Native health issues. I
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3620, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
House of Representatives,

Committee on Energy and Commerce,

Washington, DC, December 8, 2025.
Hon. Bruce Westerman,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Westerman: I write regarding H.R. 3620, the
``Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025.'' While
there are provisions of the legislation that fall within the
Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce,
I wanted to notify you that the Committee will forgo action
on the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House
floor for consideration.
This is done with the understanding that the Committee's
jurisdictional interests over this and similar legislation
are in no way diminished or altered. In addition, the
Committee reserves the right to seek conferees on H.R. 3620
and requests your support when such a request is made.
I would appreciate your response confirming this
understanding with respect to H.R. 3620 and ask that a copy
of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the
committee report on the bill or in the Congressional Record
during consideration of the bill on the House floor.
Sincerely,
Brett Guthrie,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC, December 8, 2025.
Hon. Brett Guthrie,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Guthrie: I write regarding H.R. 3620, the
``Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025,'' which
was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on
July 23, 2025.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce and appreciate your willingness to forgo further
consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee
on Energy and Commerce will not formally consider H.R. 3620
and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to
the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject
matter contained therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the
Committee on Energy and Commerce to any conference committee
to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange
of letters is included in the Congressional Record during
floor consideration of the bill and will include such letters
in the committee report on H.R. 3620. I appreciate your
cooperation regarding this legislation.
Sincerely,
Bruce Westerman,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, under this bill, the Southcentral Foundation Land
Transfer Act of 2025, title to the land where the Southcentral
Foundation operates the Quyana Clubhouse and Intensive Case Management
program would be transferred from the Indian Health Service to the
foundation. This transfer would give the foundation the ability to
invest in a new facility to house both of these vital programs.
The Quyana Clubhouse offers an integrated behavioral and primary care
service day-treatment program, while the Intensive Case Management
program provides community-based, nonclinical support.
By obtaining title to the land, the Southcentral Foundation will be
able to construct a new facility to house both programs. This will
allow for better care transitions and reduced transportation costs, and
it makes it easier for thousands of Alaska Native people to access
services.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Alaska (Mr. Begich), the lead sponsor of this bill.
Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3620, the
Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025. This is a bill that
reflects both common sense and compassion, and I am proud to sponsor
it.
Southcentral Foundation is a nationally respected Alaska Native
health provider, serving over 70,000 people with an integrated,
culturally grounded model of care that works. Some of the buildings
that they are using for behavioral health services, buildings like the
Quyana Clubhouse, are aging, inadequate, and, in some cases, were never
meant to facilitate medical services. One facility was literally a
former morgue.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation enables something critically important,
the ability to deliver modern mental health care in a space designed
for healing and recovery.
In Alaska, we face real challenges. People dealing with serious
mental illness are being served in locations that

[[Page H5882]]

were not designed for clinical care. That is unacceptable. They deserve
better--safe, dignified, purpose-built treatment environments that
reflect the seriousness of their needs and the inherent dignity of
their lives.
H.R. 3620 clears the way for Southcentral Foundation to build that
future. This bill transfers land already in use and allows Southcentral
Foundation to make long-term investments in modern infrastructure. The
bill supports Tribal self-determination, strengthens care delivery, and
empowers a trusted partner to do even more for our communities.
This is a narrowly tailored, fiscally responsible bill with broad
support. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in advancing this
measure and helping more Alaskans get the care that they deserve.
Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3620 is a simple fix that will have a meaningful
impact. By granting Southcentral Foundation title to the land it has
used for decades, we are removing bureaucratic barriers and enabling
the construction of a modern behavioral health facility.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3620 and help us take a small
but significant step forward in improving behavioral health outcomes
for our Tribal communities.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3620.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

national volcano early warning and monitoring system reauthorization

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3176) to amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation,
Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano
Early Warning and Monitoring System, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 3176

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. NATIONAL VOLCANO EARLY WARNING AND MONITORING
SYSTEM REAUTHORIZATION.

Section 5001(c) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation,
Management, and Recreation Act (43 U.S.C. 31k(c)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``United States Geological Survey'' and
inserting ``Secretary''; and
(B) by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2026
through 2029''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration'' and inserting ``Secretary of Commerce''; and
(B) by striking ``such sums as may be necessary for the
period of fiscal years 2023 through 2024'' and inserting
``$470,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029''.

general leave

Mr. STAUBER. 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 material on H.R. 3176, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3176, which will amend
the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act
to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring
System, NVEWS.
First, I thank my colleague from Alaska, Representative Begich, for
his efforts on this bill.
With over 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields, Alaska has more
volcanoes than any other State, and more than 50 of those have been
active in the last 300 years.
Volcanic hazards are difficult to estimate on a year-to-year basis,
but when they occur, the results can be catastrophic. For example, the
Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980 caused more than $1 billion in
damage. Adjusting for inflation, that figure would now exceed $4
billion.
Damage estimates for volcanic eruptions can swing wildly, depending
on many factors, but are almost always severe, underscoring the need
for early warning and monitoring.
Obviously, protecting human life is our paramount concern in
monitoring volcanic activity, but it is not just people on the ground
who are at risk. Aircraft that are flying within 1,000 miles of a
volcanic eruption can experience damage if they are not made aware of
the smoke. Volcanic eruptions can be detrimental, and even fatal, to
passengers and crew.
The lives of families near erupting volcanoes are priceless, far
surpassing the value of any damaged infrastructure. To protect those
lives, we must be able to monitor volcanic activity effectively and
broadcast early warnings of eruptions.
This is why Congress should reauthorize this critical program so that
communities near volcanoes are provided ample time to react to an
eruption and so that air traffic is warned of potential dangers.
The NVEWS Advisory Committee is integral to this program. It provides
the Secretary of the Interior with information on current program
activities and relevant research that may improve the program going
forward.

{time} 1650

The committee cannot meet while the program is unauthorized, however,
so reauthorization is essential to get the committee working again.
While we cannot stop volcanic eruptions, we can take prudent steps to
minimize damage and loss of life. That is precisely what this program
is intended to do.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill to
reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.
This program is essential to the public safety mission of the United
States Geological Survey. Working in coordination with the Department
of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, NOAA, and FEMA,
the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System helps us
better forecast volcanic activity and prepare for emergencies. This
forecasting helps save lives, protects property, and safeguards our
infrastructure.
This program reflects that the Federal Government works best in
coordination with the community, and it supports outside science and
expertise. It works in partnership with local government and emergency
managers, provides grants to universities and research institutions,
and ensures that data is shared openly with the public. That means
communities have the information they need when it counts the most.
The early warning system was first authorized through the bipartisan
Dingell Act with a clear mission: to monitor, warn, and protect.
Since then, scientists have been able to expand our volcano
monitoring program to ensure that every dangerous volcano in the United
States is tracked at appropriate levels, allowing experts to issue
timely and accurate warnings to protect communities from avoidable
harm.
I am grateful for the bipartisan work my colleagues put into this
bill to ensure that the program gets the funding it deserves. I am
happy to support the continuity of this program, and I urge my
colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Alaska (Mr. Begich), the lead sponsor of this bill.
Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3176, the bill to
reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

[[Page H5883]]

This is a program of national importance. Volcano monitoring
strengthens safety and emergency preparedness across the country, from
the Cascades to Hawaii to the Rockies, but there is no question that
Alaska has the most at stake.
Our State is home to over 130 active volcanos, by far the largest
concentration in the United States. These aren't isolated or dormant.
Mount Spurr, just 80 miles from Anchorage, reached a yellow alert level
due to elevated seismic activity earlier this year, and it is still
listed as a very high threat by the most recent edition of the USGS
National Volcanic Threat Assessment. If it erupts, as it did in 1992
and 1953, ashfall could shut down air traffic, damage critical
infrastructure, and put lives at risk.
H.R. 3176 is a straightforward, 5-year reauthorization that keeps the
program funded and operational. It maintains existing funding levels
but provides the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners with the
continuity that they need to monitor high-threat volcanos and
coordinate real-time alerts with emergency responders.
Early warning is essential. It gives pilots time to reroute, gives
communities time to prepare, and saves lives, especially in rural,
high-risk States like Alaska where response logistics are already
challenging.
This is a bipartisan, science-based system that works. I urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 3176 and ensure that every community living
in the shadow of volcanic risk has the tools to stay safe.
Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to
support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would again commend my
colleague from Alaska (Mr. Begich) for working to pass meaningful
legislation that can save lives.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3176, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3176, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________