Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6162
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-03: Received in the Senate.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-04T10:56:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 6162 – Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025
Purpose
This legislation directs the transfer of specific federal land in Albuquerque, New Mexico, into trust status for the benefit of 19 Indian Pueblos. The land, historically part of the Albuquerque Indian School, is to support educational, health, cultural, business, and economic development activities for these Pueblos.
Key Provisions
- Land Transfer Process: The Administrator of General Services must relocate all federal tenants and transfer administrative jurisdiction of the land to the Secretary of the Interior within 90 days of enactment. The Secretary then takes the land into trust for the 19 Pueblos within another 90 days.
- Land Description: The transfer covers approximately 9.89 acres across three tracts in sections 7 and 8 of Township 10 North, Range 3 East, New Mexico Principal Meridian. This includes a warehouse on Tract 1.
- Survey and Documentation: The Secretary obtains a survey and encumbrance records, with authority for minor corrections. Documents are recorded in Bernalillo County and Bureau of Indian Affairs offices.
- Building Conveyance: Ownership of buildings, structures, and improvements on Tract 1 is conveyed to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in fee simple.
- Usage Restrictions: The land must be used for specified development purposes and remains subject to existing private, municipal, or utility encumbrances. It cannot be used for class II or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
- Legal Status: The land becomes subject to federal laws governing Indian trust land in New Mexico.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This Act creates a new, targeted land transfer mechanism for these specific parcels, bypassing standard federal land management processes. It shifts jurisdiction from the General Services Administration directly to the Department of the Interior for trust purposes, and establishes a fee-simple conveyance for certain buildings to a tribal entity.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires coordination between the General Services Administration and the Department of the Interior for tenant relocation and jurisdiction transfer; may affect federal property management in the region.
- Citizens and Communities: Enables the 19 Pueblos to use the land for community development without altering existing rights-of-way or agreements.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The 19 listed New Mexico Indian Pueblos (Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Sandia, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, Taos, Tesuque, Zia, and Zuni).
- The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (recipient of building ownership).
- Federal agencies including the General Services Administration and Department of the Interior.
- Local government and utility providers in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, due to existing encumbrances.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The Act affirms federal authority over trust land transfers to Indian tribes while prohibiting gaming uses, consistent with existing federal Indian law. It maintains the land's subjection to prior encumbrances, preserving third-party rights without creating new constitutional conflicts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-03: Received in the Senate.
- 2026-06-02: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-06-02: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3754-3755)
- 2026-06-02: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3754-3755)
- 2026-06-02: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6162.
- 2026-06-02: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3754-3755)
- 2026-06-02: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2026-05-20: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 577.
- 2026-05-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-663.
- 2026-05-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-663.
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-04-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-21: Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Discharged
- 2026-03-04: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
Bill Versions
- Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (8 pages)
- Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (6 pages)
- Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (8 pages)