Crow Revenue Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 725
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 375.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T05:06:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Crow Revenue Act (H.R. 725) aims to facilitate a land and mineral rights exchange to benefit the Crow Tribe of Montana by placing certain mineral interests into federal trust for the tribe's economic development. It also promotes public access to federal lands through a related surface land swap, while ensuring no impact on the tribe's existing federal benefits.
Key Provisions
- Definitions (Section 2): The bill defines key terms, including specific tracts of land (e.g., Bull Mountains Mineral Tracts, Hope Family Tracts, Musselshell Resources Tracts), entities (e.g., Hope Family Trust, Musselshell Resources LLC), and the Crow Tribe. These tracts are located in Musselshell and Big Horn Counties, Montana, and are mapped for clarity.
- Mineral Rights Exchange and Trust Status (Section 3):
- Within 60 days of enactment, the Secretary of the Interior must accept the relinquishment of the Bull Mountains Lease (a federal coal lease) if offered by the lessee.
- The Hope Family Trust conveys its mineral interests (about 4,660 acres in the Crow Reservation) to the Crow Tribe.
- In exchange, the U.S. conveys its mineral interests (about 4,530 acres in the Bull Mountains) to the Hope Family Trust, subject to existing rights.
- Upon the tribe's request, the conveyed minerals become "trust land" (held by the U.S. government for the tribe's benefit, removing them from state control).
- These trust minerals are exempt from state and local taxes.
- The tribe must notify the Secretary of a revenue-sharing agreement with the Hope Family Trust for any future development of the exchanged minerals.
- Pending the exchange, the involved lands are temporarily withdrawn from public sale, mining claims, or leasing to prevent interference.
- Surface Land Exchange for Public Access (Section 4):
- Within 60 days of enactment, Musselshell Resources LLC conveys its surface interests (about 959 acres in the Bull Mountains) to the U.S.
- In exchange, the U.S. conveys federal surface interests (about 940 acres in the Bull Mountains) to Musselshell Resources LLC, subject to existing rights.
- This swap is intended to consolidate federal ownership and improve public access to recreational or other uses.
- Protection of Federal Benefits (Section 5):
- Any benefits from this act (e.g., revenue from minerals) will not reduce or eliminate other federal services, programs, or aid to which the Crow Tribe or its members are entitled based on their status as a federally recognized tribe.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Overrides specific federal regulations (e.g., 43 C.F.R. §§ 3480.0-6(d)(8) and 3452.1–3452.1-3) that normally govern coal lease relinquishments and mineral exchanges on public lands, allowing the transactions to proceed more quickly and directly.
- Establishes a mandatory trust status for the conveyed minerals upon tribal request, bypassing standard processes under the Indian Reorganization Act (which typically requires departmental approval for taking land into trust).
- Introduces tax exemptions for the new trust minerals, altering state taxing authority over these resources.
- Mandates temporary land withdrawals, which temporarily restricts mining and leasing laws on the specified tracts.
Potential Impacts
- On the Crow Tribe: Provides control over valuable mineral resources within its reservation boundaries, potentially generating revenue through future development (e.g., coal or other minerals) while maintaining tax exemptions and sovereignty over the lands.
- On Private Entities: The Hope Family Trust gains federal mineral interests outside the reservation, possibly for commercial development, offset by a revenue-sharing deal. Musselshell Resources LLC relocates its surface holdings but retains equivalent acreage, potentially simplifying operations or access.
- On Citizens and Public Lands: Enhances public access to approximately 959 acres of former private land now under federal management, which could support recreation, wildlife, or other uses in the Bull Mountains area.
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior must execute the exchanges within tight timelines, increasing administrative workload but streamlining tribal land acquisition. No direct fiscal impact on federal budgets is specified.
- On International Relations: None apparent, as this is a domestic land and resource matter.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Crow Tribe of Montana: Primary beneficiary, gaining trust status for mineral interests to support economic self-sufficiency.
- Hope Family Trust: Exchanges private reservation minerals for federal ones, with revenue-sharing protections.
- Musselshell Resources LLC: Participates in the surface land swap to adjust its property holdings.
- U.S. Department of the Interior (Secretary): Responsible for overseeing conveyances, trust placements, and withdrawals.
- State of Montana and Local Governments: Loses potential tax revenue on trust lands; may see indirect benefits from improved public land access.
- Existing Lessees and Rights Holders: Protected by provisions preserving valid pre-existing rights (e.g., mining claims or leases).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill's waivers of federal regulations could set a precedent for expedited land exchanges involving tribes, potentially challenging standard public land management under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Trust status reinforces tribal property rights but may invite disputes over "valid existing rights" if conflicts arise.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the U.S. Constitution's Indian Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), which gives Congress plenary power over tribal affairs, including land trust decisions. It upholds tribal sovereignty by exempting trust lands from state taxation, consistent with Supreme Court precedents like McGirt v. Oklahoma (2020) on reservation boundaries.
- Political: Supports bipartisan efforts (introduced by Reps. Downing and Zinke) for tribal economic development in energy-rich areas, amid broader debates on coal leasing and public lands. Could influence future legislation on Indigenous resource rights, especially in Montana, where energy production intersects with tribal and environmental interests. No major controversy is evident from the bill text, but implementation might face scrutiny from environmental groups or state officials concerned about resource extraction.
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
- 2026-01-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 375.
- 2026-01-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-436.
- 2026-01-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-436.
- 2025-06-25: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 16.
- 2025-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-01-24: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-01-24: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Crow Revenue Act — issued 2025-01-24 — PDF (7 pages)
- Crow Revenue Act — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (12 pages)