Bill · H.R. 2252· House(119-HR-2252)
North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/21/2025
- Last activity
- 5/20/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Julie Fedorchak
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 allows the State of North Dakota to trade certain state land grant parcels for unappropriated Federal land. If the state relinquishes land located within an Indian reservation, the Secretary of the Interior can take that land into trust for the benefit of the affected Indian Tribe. The process requires the State and the Secretary to agree on the land selection and ensure the values are substantially equal. This exchange can include land and minerals managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Act establishes specific rules for appraisals, hazardous materials inspections, and the continuation of existing grazing rights.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+6
The bill provides a mechanism for Indian Tribes to have State land grant parcels taken into trust for their benefit.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+5
The bill allows for the restoration of land to Indian Tribes by taking certain parcels into trust for their benefit.
Would farmers be better off under this?+3
The bill secures the rights of those holding grazing permits and contracts for the remainder of their terms.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Restoration of Land to Indian Tribes: If a State land grant parcel is located within a reservation, the Secretary can take that land into trust for the benefit of the Indian Tribe upon their request (Section 3(d)(1)).
-
Protection of Existing Rights: The Act ensures that parties who receive land succeed to the rights and obligations of the previous owner regarding leases, permits, or rights-of-way (Section 3(c)).
-
Continuity of Grazing Operations: Individuals with existing grazing leases, permits, or contracts are allowed to continue their grazing for the remainder of their term (Section 5(d)(1)).
-
Support for Grazing Base Properties: For those using state land to meet base property requirements for Federal grazing permits, the land will continue to qualify for the remaining term of the lease or any renewals (Section s5(d)(2)(B)).
-
Transparency through Public Inspection: Final appraisals and reviews for the land exchanges must be made available for public review (Section 4(e)(6)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Requirement for Consultation: The State and the Secretary are required to consult with affected Indian Tribes before the conveyance of land located within a reservation (Section 3(d)(2)).
-
Land Withdrawal: Once the State selects unappropriated Federal land for conveyance, that land is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal, and mineral/geothermal leasing (Section 3(e)(1)).
-
Risk of Permit Cancellation: A grazing permit, lease, or contract can be canceled or modified if the land is sold, conveyed, transferred, or leased for nongrazing purposes (Section 5(d)(2)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+6Good For Farmers+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Rural Residents+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increase States Rights+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2Improves Rural Development+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2
- 5/20/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 5/19/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3567-3569)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2252.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3567-3570)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 4/2/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-581.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 501.
- 3/5/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 3/21/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.