# Plain Language Summary: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act

The federal government is giving two pieces of land in Anchorage, Alaska to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for free. The Consortium is a healthcare organization that serves Alaska Native communities. Under this bill, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must transfer complete ownership of these properties to the Consortium within one year, with no strings attached. The Consortium won't have to pay anything for the land, won't face any special conditions or restrictions, and the federal government won't retain any claim to take the property back in the future.

The land transfer comes with an important protection for the Consortium regarding environmental issues. If the land has any contamination from oil, petroleum, hazardous materials, or other pollutants that occurred before the Consortium took control of the property, the Consortium won't be held legally responsible for cleaning it up. This shields the organization from potentially expensive environmental liability. However, the federal government reserves the right to access the land if needed to address any environmental problems that the government itself is responsible for.

This bill essentially recognizes the Consortium's long-standing use of these properties for health programs and makes their ownership official and permanent. For Alaska Native communities, this means the organization providing their healthcare services now has secure ownership of the facilities where they operate, rather than leasing or using federal property. The transfer strengthens the Consortium's ability to plan for the future and invest in these healthcare facilities without worrying about losing access to the land.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act

Young, Don

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to convey specified property in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for use in connection with health programs. The conveyance shall not require any consideration from, or impose any obligation, term, or condition on, the consortium or allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property. The consortium shall not be liable for any environmental contamination that occurred before the date on which the consortium assumes control of, occupies, and uses the property.