Bill · S. 5440· Senate(119-S-5440)
Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/17/2026
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act of 2026. It transfers administrative jurisdiction of approximately 18,628 acres of Federal land from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior. This land will be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. The land will become part of the Grand Ronde Reservation and will be subject to certain restrictions regarding gaming and log exports. The text also requires the Secretary to complete a survey and establish a legal description of the land within two years. Finally, the land will remain open to the public for hunting, fishing, and general recreation, subject to specific restrictions by the Tribe.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill directly benefits the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community by placing approximately 18,628 acres of land into trust for them.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+5
The bill places federal land into trust for the benefit of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, supporting Native American self-determination.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+4
The legislation transfers administrative jurisdiction of federal land to be held in trust for the Tribe while maintaining public recreational access.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3(b) states that approximately 18,628 acres of Federal land, including improvements and mineral interests, will be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Grand Ronde. This is a positive outcome because it directly benefits the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon by placing the land into trust for them.
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Section 4(d)(3) mandates that the Grand Ronde Conveyance Land shall remain open to the public for hunting, fishing, and general recreation. This is a positive outcome for individuals who enjoy outdoor activities, as it preserves public access to these lands.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 4(b)(2) explicitly prohibits the land taken into trust from being used for any class II gaming or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This could be viewed as a negative outcome or limitation for the Tribe regarding their economic development options on this specific land.
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Section 4(d)(3) allows the Grand Ronde to restrict or regulate access to the land for reasons of public safety, administration, fish or wildlife management, or emergencies. This could be seen as a negative outcome for members of the public who might face limitations on their recreational access.
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+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 9/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon