Problem Solvers Endorse Bill to Cut Red Tape and Expedite Federal Land Transactions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts (AACE) Act, legislation to ensure that Department of the Interior (DOI) public land transactions are completed effectively and efficiently by increasing access to qualified and cost-competitive appraisers.

The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced by Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03) and David Joyce (OH-14) and has 9 additional cosponsors, all of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

DOI oversees hundreds of millions of acres of public lands nationwide, but before it can complete any land transactions, it must first guarantee that these transactions are done at fair market value. With growing demand, the agency has had to rely increasingly on private appraisers who can only work in the specific states where they are credentialed — unlike full-time federal appraisers, who have been able to work quickly and easily across state lines for decades. Resulting delays are hindering the progress of critical conservation, economic, housing, and infrastructure projects nationwide. The AACE Act will tackle federal appraisal bottlenecks by making more appraisers available to DOI while requiring the agency to continue to prioritize working with local appraisers.

“We can’t let red tape get in the way of key land transactions that will support conservation, build critical infrastructure, and expand access to affordable housing,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03). “The AACE Act cuts through red tape by giving the Department of the Interior all the tools it needs to more quickly get land deals done at no additional cost to the American taxpayer. I’m proud that my bipartisan bill has earned the endorsement of both Republicans and Democrats who want to work together to make government as efficient as possible for American taxpayers.”

"As land-related activities continue to skyrocket nationwide, so does the need for accurate and timely appraisals," said Congressman David Joyce (OH-14). "The bipartisan AACE Act will help to alleviate the appraisal backlog by expanding the Department of the Interior's ability to work with credentialed private appraisers. I am proud to have the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus so that we can help support preservation efforts and spur economic growth in Ohio and across the country."

“This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense measure that will cut through burdensome red tape and end the backlog that prevents states from achieving their conservation, economic, and infrastructure goals,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the bipartisan Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act.”

“The current backlog of Department of Interior land appraisals is delaying important projects across the country,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “That is unacceptable. As co-chair of the Problems Solvers Caucus, I am pleased our caucus has endorsed bipartisan legislation to fix the process and more efficiently appraise Department of Interior land.”

“I was proud to cosponsor the Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act and pleased to see it endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus. This bipartisan, common sense legislation will streamline the process for federal appraisals, easing the backlog at the Department of the Interior and making it easier to approve important projects that address the nation’s housing shortage while ensuring that we are caring for historic and environmentally protected sites,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).

“The beauty of Western North Carolina’s mountains is unmatched, but bureaucratic red tape makes it difficult to preserve that land for folks to enjoy for generations to come,” said Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). “The AACE Act, which I’m cosponsoring, is a bipartisan solution to improve the Department of the Interior’s appraisal process and ease the backlog that is delaying conservation, economic and infrastructure goals in North Carolina’s 11th District.”

The full text of the bill can be found here.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

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