North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2252
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:41:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation authorizes the State of North Dakota to exchange certain state-owned land parcels located within or partially within Indian reservations for equivalent federal public lands. It aims to facilitate the restoration of land and minerals to Indian Tribes by placing relinquished parcels into federal trust status for tribal benefit, while allowing the state to acquire replacement lands outside restricted areas.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes terms such as "State land grant parcel" (including lands granted at statehood or for school purposes) and "unappropriated Federal land" (public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, excluding protected or withdrawn areas like national conservation systems, military reservations, and specific townships).
- Land Exchange Process: The state may relinquish parcels within reservations and select federal lands of substantially equal value; the Secretary of the Interior approves selections within 180 days and conveys federal land via patent or deed, while the state concurrently conveys relinquished parcels.
- Valuation and Equalization: Requires appraisals using uniform standards; allows cash payments or ledger accounts to balance values, with equalization limited to 25% of the federal parcel's value; simplifies processes for low-value parcels under $500,000 and $500 per acre.
- Tribal Land Restoration: Relinquished state parcels within reservations are taken into trust for the relevant Indian Tribe upon conveyance and become part of the reservation.
- Protections and Requirements: Includes consultations with Tribes, hazardous materials certifications, continuation of existing grazing permits, and withdrawal of selected federal lands from new claims during the process.
- Savings Clause: Preserves ongoing litigation or disputes regarding land or mineral ownership in North Dakota.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a streamlined exchange mechanism outside standard federal land sale or exchange rules under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, exempting these transactions from certain sale, exchange, and acquisition provisions.
- Creates a direct path for state school trust lands within reservations to transition to tribal trust status, building on the North Dakota Enabling Act by enabling in-lieu selections without altering core federal land management authorities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Affects the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management by requiring reviews, approvals, and conveyances; may increase administrative workload for appraisals, consultations, and environmental assessments.
- Citizens: Could benefit tribal communities through restored lands and resources; state residents may see continued access to school trust lands via replacements, with grazing rights preserved for permit holders.
- International Relations: No direct effects noted, as the Act focuses on domestic land management within U.S. boundaries.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The State of North Dakota (via the Board of University and School Lands and Department of Trust Lands).
- Indian Tribes with reservations in North Dakota.
- The Secretary of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management.
- Grazing permit holders and lessees on affected lands.
- Holders of existing leases, rights-of-way, or mineral interests on exchanged parcels.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Reinforces federal trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes by expanding trust land holdings without modifying treaty rights or existing trust lands.
- Addresses potential constitutional aspects of state land grants from the Enabling Act by providing equitable exchanges, while maintaining separation of federal, state, and tribal authorities.
- Includes safeguards against financial encumbrances and pending disputes to ensure clear title transfers.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-05-19: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-05-19: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3567-3569)
- 2026-05-19: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3567-3569)
- 2026-05-19: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2252.
- 2026-05-19: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3567-3570)
- 2026-05-19: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2026-04-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 501.
- 2026-04-02: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-581.
- 2026-04-02: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-581.
- 2026-03-05: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-03-05: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-21: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-21: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (20 pages)
- North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-21 — PDF (16 pages)
- North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (18 pages)
- North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-02 — PDF (20 pages)