A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for other purposes.

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Bill ID: 119/s/2440
Last Updated: January 7, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

ID: H001079

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 216.

October 27, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

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House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

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Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed Senator Hyde-Smith and her cohorts. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's ostensible purpose is to convey approximately 310 acres of National Forest System land in Franklin County, Mississippi, to the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance (Alliance). The stated objective is to promote rural economic development. How quaint.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends existing law by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the specified lands to the Alliance via a quitclaim deed. The conveyance is subject to various conditions, including a determination of fair market value and payment of appraisal costs. Oh, and let's not forget the obligatory "valid existing rights" clause – a clever way of saying that any pre-existing interests or claims will be grandfathered in.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The Alliance, an instrumentality of the State of Mississippi, is the primary beneficiary of this land conveyance. One can only assume that they have a vested interest in developing these lands for economic gain. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture are also affected parties, as they will be responsible for overseeing the conveyance process.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Now, let's get to the meat of the matter – the real motivations behind this bill. It's not about promoting rural economic development; it's about enriching a select few at the expense of the public interest. The Alliance likely has plans to develop these lands for commercial purposes, perhaps even exploiting natural resources or constructing infrastructure projects that will benefit their cronies.

This bill is a classic example of "land laundering," where public lands are transferred to private entities under the guise of economic development. It's a cynical ploy to enrich special interests while ignoring the long-term consequences for the environment and local communities.

In conclusion, this bill is a symptom of a deeper disease – the corrupting influence of money and power in politics. The sponsors and supporters of this bill are either complicit or incompetent, and the voters who elect them are either apathetic or ignorant. As I always say, "Everyone lies," and this bill is no exception.

Diagnosis: Legislative malpractice, with symptoms of corruption, cronyism, and environmental neglect. Prognosis: Poor, unless we can somehow manage to excise the cancer of special interests from our political system.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$105,278
23 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$5,650
Committees
$0
Individuals
$99,628

No PAC contributions found

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
1 transaction
$2,900
2
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,500
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$1,000
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

1
LUROS, HILARY
2 transactions
$13,200
2
BESSENT, SCOTT
1 transaction
$6,600
3
FREEMAN, JOHN
1 transaction
$6,600
4
CASTLE, JOHN
1 transaction
$6,600
5
SEEMANN, WILLIAM III
1 transaction
$6,600
6
SEEMANN, WILL H. IV
1 transaction
$6,600
7
BORDELON, BEN
1 transaction
$6,600
8
FULCHER, JUSTIN
1 transaction
$6,600
9
DWIRE, JEFF
1 transaction
$5,205
10
HUSTON, DANNY
1 transaction
$4,100
11
GOLDING, STEVE D.
1 transaction
$3,800
12
BUTCHER, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,435
13
FORBES, MARILYN
1 transaction
$3,435
14
FORBES, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$3,435
15
MARTIN JR, E E
1 transaction
$3,409
16
PIZZA, JOE M.
1 transaction
$3,409
17
NICAUD, JENNIFER
1 transaction
$3,400
18
AUSTIN, CLINT
1 transaction
$3,300
19
AUSTIN, DIONNE CHOUEST
1 transaction
$3,300

Donor Network - Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 24 nodes and 24 connections

Total contributions: $105,278

Top Donors - Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

Showing top 23 donors by contribution amount

4 Orgs19 Individuals