Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2026

Tribal Land Ownership: The land is taken into trust for the benefit of the Tribe and becomes part of their reservation (Section 2(a) and 2(b)). This provides the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians with additional land held in trust.

Public Access Preservation: The bill ensures the public maintains the right to access the land for various uses, such as recreation, scenery, science, and conservation (Section 2(c)(2)).

Emergency Safety Access: The Secretary can establish rights-of-way to ensure Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service employees can access the land for emergency purposes, including wildfire suppression and search and rescue (Section 2(c)(3)).

Water Right Stability: The Act ensures that existing water rights or service agreements are not altered or required to be changed (Section 2(e)).

Gaming Restrictions: The land taken into trust cannot be used for class II or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Section 2(d)).

Subject to Existing Encumbrances: The land transfer is subject to all valid existing liens, rights-of-way, licenses, leases, permits, and easements that existed on the date the Act is enacted (Section 2(c)(1)).