Sponsors
The bill grants the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe federal recognition, clearer eligibility for services, and land-into-trust authority—bringing health, housing, governance, and economic opportunities—while imposing federal membership and regulatory conditions and creating administrative, local resource, land-use, and litigation risks.
Members of the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe gain federal recognition and become eligible for federal programs, services, and authorities (healthcare, housing, education, Indian Reorganization Act authorities, and other tribal benefits).
Tribal membership and administrative roles are clarified (identified members, an official membership roll, and designation of the Secretary of the Interior), reducing enrollment disputes and improving coordination between the Tribe and federal/state agencies for program delivery.
Tribal members retain hunting and fishing rights across their aboriginal area and can pursue legal or equitable claims for rights wrongfully denied before enactment, strengthening legal protections and management cooperation.
Tribal members face reduced internal control over membership and governance because recognition is conditioned on submitting a membership roll and adherence to a specified 2003 membership provision, which may limit future tribal changes to membership rules.
Extending federal statutes and new administrative requirements, plus deadlines for compiling rolls and accommodating rights, will impose administrative and compliance costs on the Tribe and on federal agencies.
Clarifying eligibility and creating a defined service area may increase demand on federal and local programs in Mono and Inyo Counties, potentially stretching resources and lengthening wait times for other residents and service recipients.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Extends federal recognition to the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe, makes it eligible for federal Indian services, requires a membership roll, grants hunting/fishing rights, and enables land-into-trust acquisitions.
Introduced October 24, 2025 by Kevin Kiley · Last progress October 24, 2025
Extends federal recognition to the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe and makes the Tribe and its members eligible for federal services and benefits available to other federally recognized Indian tribes. The Act applies general federal Indian law (including the Indian Reorganization Act), designates Mono and Inyo Counties, CA as the Tribe’s service area, preserves the Tribe’s existing rights and claims, grants hunting and fishing rights on federal lands within the Tribe’s aboriginal area, requires the Tribe to submit and maintain a membership roll within 18 months, and directs the Secretary of the Interior to identify BLM lands in Mono County for potential trust acquisition to support tribal government, housing, and economic development.