On Monday, November 17, 2014, the House will consider H.R. 5040, the Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act, under suspension of the rules. H.R. 5040 was introduced by Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) on July 9, 2014 and was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill was marked up on September 18, 2014 and was ordered reported by unanimous consent.
H.R. 5040 requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately thirty-one acres of federal land to Idaho County, Idaho to be used as a shooting range. H.R. 5040 requires the county to pay all administrative costs associated with the conveyance; release and indemnify the federal government for any claims or liabilities associated with the land’s use; and accept any other reasonable conditions the Secretary deems necessary.
The tract of federal land affected by H.R. 5040 is “currently used recreationally by hunters in Idaho County.”[1] According to the bill’s sponsor, “For years, the Idaho County Commission has been ready to install a gun range in the Riggins area. Because of cumbersome BLM regulations, they have been unable to acquire the necessary land.”[2] H.R. 5040 conveys the land to Idaho County specifically to be used in that manner.
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[1] CBO Cost Estimate: H.R. 5040, Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act (Oct. 10, 2014).
[2] Labrador Gun Range, Geothermal Bills Advance, Rep. Raul Labrador (Sep. 18, 2014).
According to CBO estimates, implementing H.R. 5040 would not significantly impact the federal budget. The bill would not affect direct spending or revenues.
For questions or further information contact the GOP Conference at 5-5107.
