What does Preamble of HR 2252 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To authorize the relinquishment and in lieu selection of land and minerals in the State of North Dakota, to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within the State of North Dakota, and for other purposes,' aims to authorize actions related to land and mineral rights. The bill specifically addresses the relinquishment and in lieu selection of land and minerals in North Dakota. A stated purpose of the bill is to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within North Dakota.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 2252 do?

This bill is formally titled the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2025.

What does DEFINITIONS. of HR 2252 do?

This section defines key terms used within the Act. The 'North Dakota Enabling Act' is defined as the Act of February 22, 1889. A 'reservation' is defined as any Indian reservation located wholly or partially within North Dakota recognized under U.S. treaty, Executive order, or Act of Congress. The 'Secretary' refers to the Secretary of the Interior. The 'State' is defined as North Dakota, acting through the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands. A 'State land grant parcel' includes land granted during statehood, land granted under the North Dakota Enabling Act, sections 16 or 36 for school purposes, indemnity land, and land obtained after statehood. “Unappropriated Federal land” refers to public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management in North Dakota, including mineral land, with specific exclusions. Excluded from 'Unappropriated Federal land' are lands acquired by the Bureau of Land Management, areas of critical environmental concern, and land withdrawn from various uses like entry, appropriation, or mineral leasing.

What does RELINQUISHMENT AND SELECTION; CONVEYANCE. of HR 2252 do?

This section outlines a process for a State to relinquish its interest in a State land grant parcel and receive unappropriated Federal land in exchange. If a State chooses to relinquish a State land grant parcel, the Secretary is authorized to allow the State to select Federal land of substantially equivalent value. The Secretary must approve or reject the State's selection within 180 days. The Secretary is required to initiate conveyance of the Federal land to the State within 60 days of approval. The State must concurrently relinquish its interest in the State land grant parcel to the Secretary upon conveyance of the Federal land. The relinquishment and conveyance are not considered a sale, exchange, or conveyance for certain purposes under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. If a relinquished parcel is within a reservation, it may be taken into trust for the benefit of the Indian Tribe upon request. Consultation with affected Indian Tribes is required before conveying land within reservation boundaries. Unappropriated Federal land selected by the State is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal, mining, and mineral leasing from the date of selection until conveyance or rejection.

What does VALUATION. of HR 2252 do?

This section establishes valuation procedures for land exchanges under the Act. The overall value of exchanged State land grant parcels and Federal land should be substantially equal, or imbalances can be addressed through payments or ledger accounts. Appraisals, conducted by independent appraisers selected jointly by the Secretary and the State, are generally required to determine land values, adhering to either the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions or the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice. If a State land grant parcel is of lesser value, equalization payments or ledger entries are permitted, but the total value of these adjustments cannot exceed 25% of the Federal land's value. For low-value parcels (less than $500,000 or $500 per acre), mass appraisals or statements of value may be used instead of full appraisals, provided both the Secretary and the State agree. Ledger accounts can be used to reconcile value imbalances, reflecting imbalances to be reconciled in a later transaction, and must be balanced within three years and closed within five years of the last conveyance. The Secretary or the State may assume costs typically borne by the other party, with adjustments made to the Federal land's value to compensate. If mineral rights are involved, the value of the Federal land is reduced by the likely Federal revenue sharing obligation under the Mineral Leasing Act.

What does MISCELLANEOUS. of HR 2252 do?

This section outlines miscellaneous provisions related to land and mineral conveyances under this Act. Conveyed land and minerals are subject to all applicable Federal, State, and Tribal laws. The Act explicitly protects treaty rights and rights of recognized Indian Tribes, stating that nothing in the Act modifies or affects them. Land or minerals held in trust by the United States for Indian Tribes or individual Indian allotments are not affected by the Act. The Secretary and the State must make records relating to hazardous materials on land to be conveyed available for review and inspection. Prior to conveyance, the Secretary and the State must complete a hazardous materials certification of the land. Existing grazing leases, permits, or contracts will continue for the remainder of their terms, subject to existing conditions. The Secretary or the State can cancel or modify grazing permits if the land is sold for nongrazing purposes. Land conveyed by the State can continue to qualify as base property for Federal grazing permits. Holders of grazing leases, permits, or contracts can be compensated for range improvements under existing laws.

What does SAVINGS CLAUSE. of HR 2252 do?

This section establishes a savings clause for pending litigation. The savings clause prevents this Act from affecting lawsuits already in progress. These pending lawsuits concern land or mineral resource ownership. The lawsuits must be pending on the date of enactment of this Act.

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North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2025 — HR. 2252

Last updated: 3/5/2026 · Introduced: 3/21/2025

Author: Julie Fedorchak (R-ND)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill authorizes North Dakota to relinquish state-owned land and mineral rights and receive federal land in exchange, aiming to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within the state.
If North Dakota chooses to relinquish a state land grant parcel, it can select federal land of substantially equivalent value, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
Land exchanges must be substantially equal in value, with adjustments allowed through payments or ledger accounts, but these adjustments cannot exceed 25% of the federal land’s value.
Before conveying land within reservation boundaries, the Secretary must consult with affected Indian Tribes, and relinquished parcels within reservations can be taken into trust for the benefit of the tribe.
The Act protects existing treaty rights and grazing leases, and requires hazardous materials certifications and record availability prior to land conveyance.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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