Federal · 119th Congress
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025
Policy areaPublic Lands and Natural Resources
Summary
This bill directs the Forest Service to exchange specified land along the shoreline of Lake Winnibigoshish (commonly known as Lake Winnie) in the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota for specified land owned by Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT), if BWLT offers to make the exchange. The land acquired by the Forest Service must be added to and managed as part of Chippewa National Forest.
The bill outlines requirements and conditions for the exchange. For example, the Forest Service must reserve an easement for road access to certain land in the forest. The bill also conditions the exchange on the satisfactory completion of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment by BWLT before the nonfederal land is accepted in the exchange.
In addition, the exchange must be for equal value or the values must be equalized by a cash payment, subject to an exception.
Finally, the bill directs BWLT to pay all closing costs associated with the exchange.
Sponsor
Cosponsors2
Other titles2
To provide for a land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota, and for other purposes.Official Title as IntroducedOfficial Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025Short Title(s) as IntroducedShort Title(s) as Reported to SenateShort Title(s) as Passed HouseShort Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text
Legislative history11
Oct 27, 2025
SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
Oct 27, 2025
Senate · CommitteeCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
Oct 21, 2025
Senate · CommitteeCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jan 22, 2025
SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Jan 21, 2025
House · FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 21, 2025
House · FloorOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H242-243)
Jan 21, 2025
House · FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 197.
Jan 21, 2025
House · FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H242-244)
Jan 21, 2025
House · FloorMr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 3, 2025
HouseReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 3, 2025
IntroducedIntroduced in House
Documents5
Texts
As referred to a Senate committeeLatestReferred in SenateU.S. Government Publishing OfficeJan 22, 2025As passed by the HouseEngrossed in HouseU.S. Government Publishing OfficeJan 21, 2025As reported by the Senate committeeReported in SenateU.S. Government Publishing OfficeOct 27, 2025As introduced in the HouseIntroduced in HouseU.S. Government Publishing OfficeJan 3, 2025