Rep. French Hill
On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 388-0 to advance legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) that would convey a vacant U.S. Forest Service (USFS) building and surrounding land to a local government in the congressman’s home state.
H.R. 3187, which Rep. Hill sponsored on May 5, would transfer the 0.81-acre parcel and vacant federal building operated by the USFS in Perryville, Ark., to the Perry County, Ark., government.
“I’m pleased to see my bill to convey the U.S. Forest Service building in Perryville to Perry County pass the House,” Rep. Hill said. “It’s ridiculous that it requires an act of Congress to transfer a long-vacant building to the county, especially when the federal government continues to spend money to maintain the unused property.”
The USFS has no plans to use the vacant building going forward, and while it will require repairs and updates, Perry County has the funds to make the necessary improvements, the congressman said.
Once conveyed and repaired, the property will support permanent operations of the University of Arkansas Extension Program and the Perry County Conservation District and serve as the meeting space for the 4-H Youth Development Program.
“Today’s vote brings us one step closer to saving American taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars and giving residents of Perryville and the surrounding communities the opportunity to put this property to work for youth programs, agricultural education, and local conservation efforts,” said Rep. Hill.
H.R. 3187, which now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration, is supported by Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon.