To take certain land into trust for the benefit of the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6917
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-09: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T17:20:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 6917, aims to transfer approximately 3,156 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in southern Nevada into trust by the U.S. government for the benefit of the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians. This action would incorporate the land into the tribe's reservation, enhancing tribal control and use of the area while imposing specific conditions to address energy infrastructure, gaming restrictions, and water rights.
Key Provisions
- Land Transfer: The U.S. takes the specified land (known as "covered land") into trust for the tribe, subject to any pre-existing legal rights (e.g., leases or easements). This land becomes part of the tribe's reservation.
- Boundary Survey: The Secretary of the Interior must complete a survey to define the land's boundaries within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
- Renewable Energy Right-of-Way: Within 30 days of enactment, the tribe must grant a 300-foot-wide right-of-way across the land to a qualified electric utility. This allows construction and maintenance of high-voltage transmission lines, aligning with existing agreements on the tribe's Snow Mountain Reservation for renewable energy projects.
- Gaming Prohibition: No Class II gaming (bingo and similar games) or Class III gaming (casino-style games like slots or blackjack, as defined under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) is permitted on the trust land.
- Water Rights: The bill neither confirms nor denies any federal reserved water rights (rights set aside by the government for specific federal purposes) for the land. However, the tribe keeps any existing water rights or claims under Nevada state law.
- Intergovernmental Agreement: The transfer does not interfere with the tribe's March 2021 agreement with the City of Las Vegas, which likely covers local cooperation on issues like development or services.
- Definitions: Key terms include "covered land" (the 3,156 acres, as shown on a specific map titled "Southern Nevada Land Management" dated November 14, 2024), "Secretary" (Secretary of the Interior), and "Tribe" (Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians of the Las Vegas Indian Colony, Nevada).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Repeal of Prior Provision: The bill repeals Section 3092 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291). This section likely imposed restrictions or alternative uses for the land (e.g., related to defense or other federal priorities), effectively clearing the way for the trust transfer without specifying further details.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (via BLM) loses administrative control over the land, shifting management to trust status, which prioritizes tribal needs under federal oversight. This could streamline tribal development but require coordination for surveys and rights-of-way.
- On Citizens and Tribes: The Las Vegas Tribe gains expanded reservation land for potential cultural, economic, or community uses (excluding gaming), supporting sovereignty and self-determination. Local residents and Nevada citizens may see indirect benefits from preserved renewable energy transmission, aiding regional clean energy goals without new disruptions.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic tribal-federal land issues.
- Broader Effects: Ensures continuity of energy infrastructure, potentially benefiting utility ratepayers through reliable renewable power lines, while protecting state water allocations and local agreements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians: Primary beneficiary, gaining trusted land for reservation expansion but obligated to provide the energy right-of-way and forgo gaming revenue opportunities.
- U.S. Department of the Interior and BLM: Responsible for implementing the transfer, survey, and oversight; loses direct land management.
- Qualified Electric Utility: Gains secured access for transmission facilities, supporting renewable energy projects.
- City of Las Vegas and Nevada State Government: Unaffected in their existing agreement and water rights, but may influence local land use planning.
- General Public in Nevada: Potential indirect effects on energy reliability and environmental conservation, without gaming-related economic changes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Establishes the land as "trust land," meaning the U.S. holds title for the tribe's benefit, providing federal protections against state taxation or zoning while respecting existing rights. The gaming ban limits tribal economic options under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and water provisions balance federal, tribal, and state interests to avoid disputes.
- Constitutional Implications: Relies on Congress's plenary power (broad authority) over Indian affairs under the U.S. Constitution and treaties, reinforcing tribal sovereignty without altering broader federal-tribal trust responsibilities.
- Political Implications: The repeal of the 2015 provision signals a shift in federal priorities from prior uses (possibly defense-related) to tribal interests, potentially setting a precedent for similar land-into-trust bills amid ongoing debates over Native American land rights and energy development in the West. The bill's conditions promote compromise on infrastructure and local relations, reducing conflict risks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-09: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-06-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-12-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To take certain land into trust for the benefit of the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians. — issued 2025-12-19 — PDF (3 pages)