H.R. 714: To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and for other purposes.

111th Congress · introduced 2009-01-27 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Became Public Law No: 111-261.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2009-01-27 · official record
Who proposed it: Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 111-261. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and for other purposes.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to Senate on March 2, 2010. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, if the long-term benefit to the Virgin Islands National Park would be greater by entering into a lease than by authorizing a concession contract, to enter into a lease with the owner of the retained use estate for the operation and management of the Caneel Bay resort on the island in the Park. Allows the Secretary to acquire associated property. Sets forth the terms and conditions for the lease authorized by this Act, including provisions ensuring protection of the natural, cultural, and historic features of the resort and associated property, consistent with the laws and policies applicable to property managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Instructs the Secretary, in determining the fair market value rental of the lease, to take into consideration: (1) the value of any associated property conveyed; and (2) the value, if any, of the relinquished term of the retained use estate. Makes rental amounts paid to the United States under the lease available for visitor services and resource protection within the Virgin Islands National Park. Requires the Secretary to submit a proposed lease to Congress at least 60 days before the award of the lease. Prohibits the extension or renewal of a lease entered into under this Act. Requires, upon the termination of such a lease, that if the Secretary determines the continuation of commercial services at the resort to be appropriate, such services shall be provided in accordance with the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998. Requires the owner of the retained use estate to terminate, extinguish, and relinquish to the Secretary all rights under the retained use estate and transfer, without consideration, ownership of improvements on the retained use estate to the NPS. Requires an appraisal that is agreed to by the Secretary and the owner to determine the value, if any, of the relinquished term of the retained use estate, to be conducted in accordance with this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and for other purposes.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 714, An act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park (2010-01-14); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 714, An act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park (2010-01-14)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appraisal: An estimate of what property is worth. In Texas, county appraisal districts set the value that property taxes are based on.
Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-111hr714.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/hr>

Record fed-us-cong111-hr714 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111