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Amends the statutory language in the federal tribal leasing statute (25 U.S.C. 415(a)) to change the wording that governs federally recognized tribes’ authority to lease tribal land. The change is limited to revising a sentence in that statute and does not, by itself, authorize new spending or set an effective date.
The bill makes it easier for tribes to lease and develop tribal lands — potentially boosting tribal revenues and reducing federal delays — but raises risks to tribal member protections, local environments, and could increase administrative costs for taxpayers.
Tribal governments and tribal members gain clearer and broader statutory authority to lease tribal lands, making it easier for tribes to negotiate and enter leases.
Tribes, local communities, and businesses can see increased development on tribal lands that creates jobs and additional revenue for tribes and nearby communities.
Tribes, lessees, federal agencies, and businesses may face fewer administrative delays because agencies will implement leasing under the revised statutory language.
Tribal members and communities may lose protections if relaxed leasing rules allow longer or more permissive leases that disadvantage local interests.
Local and tribal communities may face increased environmental risks (e.g., pollution, habitat loss) if expanded leasing enables projects with harmful impacts.
Taxpayers and federal agencies could incur higher administrative costs if oversight responsibilities shift or implementation of the revised leasing framework requires additional resources.
Introduced November 4, 2025 by Harriet Hageman · Last progress March 4, 2026