Library / Laws / 113th / hr / H.R. 417 / Introduced in House
I
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 417
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 25, 2013
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen (for
herself, Mr. Diaz-Balart,
Ms. Wasserman Schultz,
Ms. Wilson of Florida, and
Mr. Garcia) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Agriculture
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to
Miami-Dade County certain federally owned land in Florida, and for other
purposes.
1.
Conveyance of land comprising
Subtropical Horticulture Research Station
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
County
The
term County means Miami-Dade County in the State of
Florida.
(2)
Property
The
term Property means approximately 2 acres, more or less, of the
federally owned land comprising the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station
in the County, which—
(A) has been mutually
delineated by the Secretary and the authorized representative of the County;
and
(B) fronts on SW 67th
Avenue in Palmetto Bay, Florida.
(3)
Secretary
The
term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(b)
Property
Conveyance
(1)
In
general
Not later than 120 days after the date on which the
County deposits the consideration under paragraph (2) and cost reimbursement
provided in this section with the Department of Agriculture, the Secretary
shall convey and quitclaim to the County, all rights, title, and interests of
the United States in the Property, subject to easements and rights of record
and such other reservations, terms, and conditions as the Secretary may
prescribe.
(2)
Consideration
(A)
In
general
As consideration for
the conveyance of the Property, the County shall pay to the Secretary an amount
in cash equal to the market value of the property.
(B)
Appraisal
To
determine the market value of the Property, the Secretary shall have the
Property appraised for the highest and best use of the Property in conformity
with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions developed by
the Interagency Land Acquisition Conference. The approved appraisal shall at
all times be the property of the United States.
(3)
Corrections
With
the agreement of the County, the Secretary may make minor corrections or
modifications to the legal description of the Property.
(4)
Costs
(A)
Transaction
costs
Except as provided in
subparagraph (C), the County shall, at closing for the conveyance of the
Property under this section, pay or reimburse the Secretary, as appropriate,
for the reasonable transaction and administrative personnel costs associated
with the conveyance authorized by this section, including the transaction costs
of appraisal, title, hazardous substances examination, and closing
costs.
(B)
Administrative
costs
In addition to transaction costs under subparagraph (A),
the County shall pay administrative costs in the liquidated amount of
$50,000.
(C)
Attorneys’
fees
The County and the Secretary shall each bear their own
attorneys’ fees.
(5)
Survey
The
County shall, at its cost, survey the exterior boundaries of the Subtropical
Horticulture Research Station and the Property in accordance with Federal
survey standards and to the satisfaction of the Secretary, and shall provide to
the Secretary certified originals with signature and raised seal.
(6)
Release
The
County, by a recordable instrument that the Secretary determines is
satisfactory, shall release the Department of Agriculture from the instrument
dated September 8, 2006, titled Unity of Title.
(7)
Security
fencing
On or before closing
for the conveyance of the Property under this section, the County shall, at its
cost, contract for the construction of a security fence located on the boundary
between the Property and the adjacent land administered by the Secretary. The
fence shall be of materials and standards approved in advance by the Secretary.
The Secretary may approve temporary security structures for use during
construction phases of the fence.
(8)
Other
terms
The Secretary and the County may otherwise effect the
purpose of this section on such additional terms as are mutually acceptable and
which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.
(c)
Receipts
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall
deposit all funds received from the conveyance authorized under this section,
including the market value consideration and the reimbursement for costs, into
the Treasury of the United States to be credited to the appropriation for the
Agricultural Research Service.
(2)
Use of
funds
Notwithstanding any limitation in applicable appropriation
Acts for the Department of Agriculture or the Agricultural Research Service,
all funds deposited into the Treasury pursuant to subsection (b) shall be
available to the Secretary until expended, without further appropriation, for
the operation, upkeep, and maintenance of the Subtropical Horticulture Research
Station.