Bruce Westerman

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Moulton's bill, the Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act. This legislation would redesignate the Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts, as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park. Known for its rich history dating back to the colonial era, this area was the first historic site to be included in the National Park System in 1938. Today, the historical park includes 12 historic structures, a downtown visitors center, and a replica of a famous sailing ship, the Friendship of Salem. The site attracts over 800,000 visitors annually and showcases over 600 years of New England's maritime history. Since most historical sites focus on a singular historical feature, designating Salem Maritime as a national historic park would align with the naming conventions of other National Park System units around the country. Community leaders in the area also hope the redesignation will lead to more visitors by highlighting the various attractions. In addition to the redesignation, this legislation also requires the National Park Service to conduct a boundary study of related sites to assess their feasibility for future inclusion in the historical park. I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. 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. 2215, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2215) to redesignate the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the ``Salem Maritime National Historical Park'', and for other purposes.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, passing H.R. 2492 would be an essential step toward reducing the urgent threat that wildfire poses to communities nationwide. Once again, I thank Representatives Carbajal and Valadao for their leadership on this vital issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2492, the Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025, led by Representatives Carbajal and Valadao. This legislation would allow the U.S. Forest Service to permit utility companies to fully remove hazard trees and other vegetation near power lines without requiring a separate timber sale. The legislation also includes provisions ensuring a fair return to the Federal Government when the timber is sold. Currently, utility companies are allowed to fell hazard trees in their rights-of-way but are not permitted to remove them without going through the timber sale process. This unnecessary bureaucratic step leaves timber piled up in the rights-of-way for long periods, creating a significant wildfire risk, especially near communities in the wildland-urban interface. Hazard trees near power lines have proven to be a serious fire threat. In fact, the largest single wildfire in California history, the Dixie fire, ignited when a tree fell onto electrical lines. As we enter into what is predicted to be another devastating fire year, it is more imperative than ever that we take every step to manage our forests and reduce wildfire risk. In January, the world watched as communities in southern California were virtually leveled by catastrophic wildfires. In the wake of that tragedy, the House came together to pass the Fix Our Forests Act on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis. The legislation we are considering today was included as part of the Fix Our Forests Act. Today is another opportunity for Congress to meet the moment and pass commonsense forest management policy. I commend Representatives Carbajal and Valadao for their bipartisan collaboration on this legislation and on the Fix Our Forests Act. I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, April 28, 2025. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 2492, the ``Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025.'' Thank you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our jurisdiction. The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over any subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support such a request. We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2492 and request a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman.

Mr. WESTERMAN. 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. 2492, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2492) to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to permit removal of trees around electrical lines on National Forest System lands and Bureau of Land Management lands, respectively, without conducting a timber sale, and for other purposes.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. This is straightforward legislation that will help private property owners develop their land without interference from the Federal Government. I support this bill and note that it unanimously passed the House last Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Representative Matsui's bill, the Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act. This legislation previously passed the House by voice vote last December. This bill resolves the stubborn property law issue afflicting a small parcel of land in California. The current owners of an eight-acre property in Sacramento recently discovered a reversionary interest on their land, which a railroad company originally conveyed. The reversionary interest, which dates back to the days of the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century, requires the land to revert to ownership by the United States since it is no longer used for railroad purposes. Because of this outdated encumbrance, the owners of this property are limited in their ability to develop or sell the land. The Bureau of Land Management, which would inherit the property through the reversion, does not want to manage the land in question. Since the agency can't extinguish the reversionary interests unilaterally, the BLM has encouraged Congress to address the issue through legislation. H.R. 952 would resolve this conflict by requiring the Bureau of Land Management to convey the reversionary interest to the private landowners for fair market value. This bill will free up the land for economic development and prevent further Federal interference. It is a good governance bill that supports the local community, encourages economic development, and reduces the burden on the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Matsui for this effort on behalf of her constituents. I support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 952, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 952) to convey the reversionary interest of the United States in certain land in Sacramento, California.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would support economic growth, create jobs, and attract new businesses to North Las Vegas by streamlining permitting and cutting Federal red tape. I commend Representative Horsford on this bill, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Horsford's bill, H.R. 618, the Apex Area Technical Corrections Act. H.R. 618 is a bipartisan bill supported by the entire Nevada delegation that would streamline permitting in the Apex Industrial Park in North Las Vegas to encourage new business development and economic growth. Specifically, the legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant utility and transportation rights-of-way to the Apex Industrial Park Owners Association, the city of North Las Vegas, and Clark County for electric, power, water, natural gas, telephone, railroad, or highway facilities. Congress created the Apex Industrial Park in 1989 by authorizing the sale of roughly 21,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to Clark County, Nevada, to establish a new area to attract businesses and create jobs. While the original law directed BLM to issue utility and transportation rights-of-way for Apex, businesses seeking to start construction or expand operations currently face a complicated permitting process. The delayed installation of utilities has stalled the growth of existing businesses in the Apex area. Additionally, the prolonged permitting process deters new investment and hinders economic development in North Las Vegas. Removing bureaucratic delays by the Federal Government is necessary for the growth and prosperity of North Las Vegas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Horsford and the entire Nevada delegation for their work on this issue. I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 618, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 618) to amend the Apex Project, Nevada Land Transfer and Authorization Act of 1989 to include the City of North Las Vegas and the Apex Industrial Park Owners Association, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward, bipartisan bill that renames beloved sites for the late Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. I urge its adoption and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 249, introduced by Representative Pallone, which would redesignate certain amenities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. Specifically, this bipartisan bill would rename two sites within the historical park as the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park. Paterson, New Jersey, was home to Congressman Pascrell, a former Member of this body and, before that, a high school teacher and college professor. Congressman Pascrell was instrumental in the designation of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in 2009. Known for his plainspoken demeanor and deep commitment to his constituents, Congressman Pascrell served our Nation in the U.S. Army and in this body for nearly three decades, until his passing last August. Overlook Park is a 2.5-acre area providing panoramic views of the falls and the gateway to the larger historical park. The Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge is one of two year-round pedestrian bridges connecting visitors to the falls. It serves approximately 300,000 visitors annually and links the park's visitors center to the falls' viewing platform. Mr. Speaker, this straightforward and bipartisan legislation has the full support of the entire New Jersey delegation. I commend Representative Pallone for his work on this legislation. I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 249, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 249) to redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.