Sponsors (2)
The bill transfers a small parcel of land into federal trust to give 19 Pueblos clearer legal title and access to federal benefits and protections, while limiting certain economic uses (notably Class I–III gaming) and preserving preexisting encumbrances and a federal easement that constrain development flexibility.
The 19 listed Pueblos receive federal trust title to about 9.89 acres, giving them legal ownership for education, health, cultural, business, and economic uses.
Placing the parcels into Federal trust simplifies tribal control and makes the lands eligible for federal programs and protections tied to trust status.
A required recorded survey (May 2023 plat controlling) clarifies boundaries and reduces title uncertainty for the Pueblos and local stakeholders.
The bill explicitly prohibits Class I–III gaming on the trust land, blocking potential casino-based revenue or economic development opportunities for the 19 Pueblos.
Existing private and municipal encumbrances and rights‑of‑way remain in effect on the parcels, which can constrain development plans and impose additional negotiation or compliance costs on the Pueblos.
A Government Services Administration (GSA)-determined right‑of‑way easement on Tract 1 for retrieval/relocation of federal property could limit tribal land use or require relocation/mitigation costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Transfers ~9.89 acres in Albuquerque into Federal trust for 19 Pueblos for education, health, cultural, business, and economic development and bans Class I–III gaming.
Transfers nearly 9.9 acres in Albuquerque that were part of the former Albuquerque Indian School from GSA custody to the Department of the Interior to be held in trust for the benefit of 19 Pueblo tribes. The land must be surveyed, placed into Federal Indian trust, limited to specified uses (education, health, cultural, business, economic development), and expressly barred from Class I–III gaming. The transfer requires GSA to relocate federal tenants first, an administrative-jurisdiction transfer to Interior, and a recorded survey (using the May 2023 Surv-Tek plat as controlling with narrow correction authority). Existing recorded encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, and utility agreements remain in effect, and a limited federal right-of-way on one tract is preserved for retrieval/relocation of federal property.
Official title: Transfer certain Federal land into trust for certain Indian Pueblos in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.
Introduced November 19, 2025 by Martin Heinrich · Last progress October 5, 2026