Resolve to protect drinking water and public health from sand mining pollution

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste and 2 co-sponsors

The bill would authorize removing all deed restrictions from a 3.62-acre Paducah parcel, giving the City of Paducah broader land-use flexibility.

Accompanied a study order, see S2687

Summary: S. 601 — Bill to Remove Restrictions from a Paducah, Kentucky Parcel

Overview

Purpose: A Senate bill that would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to remove deed restrictions on a specific parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky, effectively clearing limits on how the land may be used.

Status: Introduced in the Senate (introduced February 13, 2025); read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsors: Primary sponsor Rand Paul; cosponsor Mitch McConnell.

Related bill: Companion to HR 1276.

Key Provisions

Section (a): The Secretary of the Interior shall execute all necessary instruments to remove all deed restrictions on the described parcel.

Section (b): The deed restrictions to be removed are those described in the quitclaim deed from the United States to the City of Paducah, Kentucky, executed on April 27, 2012, and recorded in McCracken County, Kentucky (Deed Book 1229, pages 247–260). These restrictions include easements, exceptions, reservations, terms, conditions, and covenants.

Section (c): The parcel affected is described as: 1) Approximately 3.62 acres located at 2956 Park Avenue, Paducah Memorial Army Reserve Center, Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky, including the improvements thereon; and 2) The parcel conveyed by the Secretary of the Interior to the City of Paducah, Kentucky.

Parcel Details

Location: 2956 Park Avenue, Paducah Memorial Army Reserve Center, Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky.

Size: Approximately 3.62 acres, including improvements.

Original conveyance: Parcel was conveyed by the Secretary of the Interior to the City of Paducah, Kentucky.

Restriction source: Deed restrictions come from the 2012 quitclaim deed (United States to City of Paducah) recorded in McCracken County.

Impact and Practical Effect

The bill would strip the parcel of all deed restrictions previously imposed by the 2012 quitclaim deed, enabling greater flexibility in how the City of Paducah may use the land.

It is a federal action that directly affects land previously transferred from federal ownership to a municipal entity.

The removal could influence future development, land use, or disposal decisions by the City of Paducah with respect to this parcel.

Affected Parties

City of Paducah (owner of the land, per the 2012 quitclaim).

U.S. Department of the Interior (Secretary would execute the required instruments).

McCracken County and local stakeholders interested in land use around the Paducah Memorial Army Reserve Center.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

Introduction date: February 13, 2025.

Immediate steps: The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Related legislation: HR 1276 serves as a companion bill in the House.

Notes

The bill specifies removal of “all deed restrictions,” including all associated easements, reservations, covenants, terms, and conditions, as described in the 2012 quitclaim deed. Potential considerations include environmental, historic preservation, or other legally significant restrictions that may have been part of the 2012 deed.