Sponsors (2)
The bill transfers and clarifies ownership and protections that increase tribal control and preserve benefits for tribal members, at the trade-off of reduced state/federal tax and leasing revenues, possible delays to private development, and added administrative and local uncertainty.
The Tribe (Crow Tribe) gains clear ownership and control of specified mineral and surface interests, enabling tribal-led development and new tribal revenue streams.
Mineral interests held in trust for the Tribe are exempt from State taxation, increasing the Tribe's net revenue from development.
Individual tribal members retain access to federal services and benefits even if they receive payments under the Act, protecting program eligibility and reinforcing tribal sovereignty.
States and localities lose potential property and mineral tax revenue on the conveyed mineral interests, which could reduce funding for local services and budgets.
Federal government revenues and future leasing receipts may decline because conveyed interests move outside federal leasing control, reducing receipts available to taxpayers.
Temporary withdrawals and conveyances block third parties (industry) from obtaining new claims or permits on the affected tracts, delaying private development, contracts, and potential jobs.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Conveys specified federal and private mineral and surface interests between the United States, the Hope Family Trust, and the Crow Tribe, allows trust status and State tax exemption, and withdraws the tracts from public entry and mining laws pending transfers.
Official title: Take certain mineral interests into trust for the benefit of the Crow Tribe of Montana, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 24, 2025 by Steve Daines · Last progress January 24, 2025
Transfers specified federal and private mineral and surface interests in two tracts in Musselshell and Big Horn Counties, Montana: it requires the Hope Family Trust to convey its mineral interests to the Crow Tribe and directs the United States to convey certain federal mineral and surface interests to the Hope Family Trust, all contingent on the lessee relinquishing a named BLM lease. Conveyed tribal interests can be taken into trust by the United States and are exempt from State taxation. The bill also withdraws the affected tracts from public entry, mining law claims, and certain leasing authorities while conveyances are completed, and it protects receipt of amounts or benefits under the Act from being used to reduce federal services or benefits to the Tribe or its members. All required conveyances must be completed within 60 days of enactment, and the Tribe must notify the Secretary that it and the Hope Family Trust have agreed on a revenue-sharing formula before the transfers occur for future development. The statute conditions transfers on relinquishment of an identified lease and preserves valid existing rights during the process.