PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-380.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Nov 20, 2019
Big Bear Land Exchange Act
(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to convey 73 acres of identified Forest Service land to the County of San Bernardino, California, in exchange for approximately 71 acres of identified land owned by the county.
Such land exchange must be for equal value. If the value of the federal land and the nonfederal land to be conveyed are not equal, the values may be equalized by a cash payment or by reducing the acreage of the federal land or the nonfederal land to be exchanged. At the option of the county, any excess value of the nonfederal lands may be considered as a gift to the United States.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Any cash equalization payment that USDA receives shall be available for USDA to acquire lands, waters, and interests in land for the San Bernardino National Forest.
Before completing the exchange, USDA must inspect the nonfederal lands to ensure that they meet federal standards, including for hazardous materials and land line surveys.
The nonfederal lands shall be added to and managed as part of San Bernardino National Forest.
Within three years of enactment of this bill, USDA must relocate the portion of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail that is located on the federal land to (1) adjacent National Forest System land; (2) land owned by the county, subject to county approval; (3) land within the federal land, subject to county approval; or (4) a combination of any of these.
People & committees
Rep. Cook, Paul [R-CA-8] · R–CA
Legislative record
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Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-380.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9074)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9074)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 255.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9074-9075)
Mr. Huffman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 98.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-134.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-134.
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.255 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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