Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3925
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T08:06:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to authorize a specific land exchange between the United States Forest Service and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (a federally recognized tribe, also known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians) in San Bernardino County, California. The exchange is intended to transfer federal land with cultural significance to the tribe in return for non-federal land owned by the tribe, while ensuring continued public access and preservation of historical sites.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Federal Land" refers to approximately 1,475 acres of National Forest System land in the San Bernardino National Forest, as shown on specific maps (F-1 and F-2).
- "Non-Federal Land" refers to approximately 1,460 acres owned by the tribe, as depicted on designated maps (NF-1 through NF-5).
- The "Secretary" is the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
- Land Exchange Process:
- If the tribe offers to convey its non-federal land to the United States, the Secretary must accept the offer and convey the federal land to the tribe within 120 days.
- The exchange reserves an easement for the Forest Service to access and use portions of three existing forest roads (1N22, 1N24, and 1N25) on the federal land being transferred.
- Surveys and Adjustments:
- Exact acreage and legal descriptions for both lands will be determined by surveys approved by both parties; the tribe covers the cost of surveying its land.
- Minor boundary adjustments or corrections to maps, estimates, or descriptions are allowed by mutual agreement.
- In case of conflicts, the maps take precedence.
- Maps are available for public inspection at Forest Service offices.
- Preservation Requirement:
- Within 120 days of enactment, the tribe must enter into an agreement with the Secretary to preserve the historical and cultural integrity of the "Arrowhead Landmark" site (a rock formation on the federal land maps).
- This agreement will be recorded in San Bernardino County records and the Forest Service's systems.
- Management of Acquired Land:
- Land received by the Forest Service becomes part of the San Bernardino National Forest and must be managed under applicable federal laws and regulations for national forests.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The exchange is explicitly exempt from section 206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), which generally requires land exchanges to serve the public interest, ensure equal value between exchanged parcels, and undergo public review processes. This exemption streamlines the transaction by bypassing standard procedural hurdles like appraisals, public notices, or value equalization.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Forest Service will gain about 1,460 acres for national forest management, potentially enhancing forest connectivity or resource protection, but lose 1,475 acres, requiring adjustments to road access and site preservation oversight.
- Citizens: Local communities and recreation users in San Bernardino County may experience minimal disruption due to the retained road easement, but could see changes in land use if the tribe develops or restricts access on the acquired federal land. The preservation agreement helps maintain the Arrowhead Landmark as a public cultural asset.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic land matter involving a U.S. tribe and federal lands.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation: Primary beneficiary, gaining federal land likely of ancestral or cultural importance, which could support tribal sovereignty, cultural practices, or economic development.
- U.S. Forest Service (Department of Agriculture): Responsible for executing the exchange, managing new lands, and enforcing the preservation agreement.
- Local Residents and Users of San Bernardino National Forest: Affected by potential shifts in land management, access, and cultural site preservation.
- San Bernardino County Government: Involved indirectly through recording the preservation agreement and potential local land use implications.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: By exempting the exchange from FLPMA requirements, the bill simplifies federal-tribal land transactions, potentially setting a precedent for future culturally significant exchanges without full public scrutiny. The survey and mutual agreement provisions ensure fairness in boundaries.
- Constitutional: Supports tribal self-determination under federal Indian law principles (e.g., treaty rights and trust responsibilities), as it facilitates returning potentially ancestral lands to the tribe without violating property clause authority over federal lands.
- Political: Introduced by Representative Obernolte (R-CA), it reflects bipartisan support for tribal interests in California, emphasizing cultural preservation amid ongoing debates over federal land management and indigenous rights. No major controversies are evident in the bill text, but it could influence broader discussions on expediting land returns to tribes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-06-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-06-10: Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Discharged
- 2025-09-09: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-09-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 2025-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act — issued 2025-06-11 — PDF (7 pages)