Business meeting to consider S.3383, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to make improvements to that Act; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine S.236, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), S.1508, to confer jurisdiction on the State of Utah with respect to civil causes of action arising on or within the Indian lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, S.1513, to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, S.2735, to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
2025-12-17
Source: Congress.gov
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Unknown
Committee will come to order. We're here to consider one bill. This is S3383, Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Development Acts of 2025. We call it the Unlocked Act. This bill is old business from the last Congress. It's had a hearing and a markup. It was also passed by the full Senate. Senator Schatz and I introduced this bill to give all tribes 99-year leasing authority for their trust lands. In today's economy, a 50-year lease is just often not long enough to secure financing for major infrastructure and economic development projects, and it also doesn't make sense for Congress to keep passing separate standalone bills for individual tribes. We've already done that for about 60 tribes, and later today we'll hear bills that would extend this authority to even more. Lease terms aren't the only obstacle, though. Many projects are delayed by lengthy BIA approvals for right-of-way, which are essential to development. The Unlocked Act addresses this barrier by authorizing a self-determination process modeled after the Hearth Act for tribal leasing regulations. This will allow tribes to move their projects forward more efficiently. This is a good bill, and I'm pleased that I'm able to cosponsor it with you, Vice Chairman Chatz. I also look forward to seeing it enacted so all tribes can fully take advantage of the opportunities that are available now and into the future. So I now turn to the Vice Chairman for his opening statement.
Yes, we have a quorum present, so we can move forward. Thank you, Senator Cortez Masto. I now call up agenda item number one, S3383, the Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Development Acts of 2025. Is there an objection? Hearing no objection. The question is on agreeing to Agenda Item 1, S3383. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed, say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The bill is agreed to, and that concludes our business for today, and I want to thank the members for getting the business of the committee completed. Thank you so much. Thank you.
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Unknown
Okay, now we move to the legislative hearing. We're here to receive testimony on four bills before the committee. The first bill, S-236, sponsored by Senator Markey, would authorize 99-year leasing authority for both the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the Wampanoag tribe of Gay Head, Aquinnah. These are the only two federally recognized tribes in Massachusetts. providing both tribes with the same long-term leasing authority ensures parity and allows for longer lease terms that can spur economic development. Congress has enacted similar leasing authority for many other federally recognized tribes. The second bill, S-1508, the Shivwitz Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act, sponsored by Senator Curtis, would address a recent Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the Lawrence case concerning subject matter jurisdiction over civil actions arising on Indian lands. This legislative fix would help ensure the band can fully engage in economic development on its lands, including providing certainty for what judicial forums are available when entering into contracts with third parties. The bill also amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to authorize leases of up to 99 years on land held in trust for the band. And next, S1513, the lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Projects Lands Restoration Act, which is sponsored by Senator Cantwell, would place approximately 1,082.63 acres on the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington into trust for the lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and designate the land as part of the tribe's reservation.
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