What does Preamble of North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 do?

This bill authorizes the relinquishment and in lieu selection of land and minerals in North Dakota. It aims to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within North Dakota. The bill includes provisions for other purposes, though these are not specified in this section.

What does SHORT TITLE. of North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026.

What does DEFINITIONS. of North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 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Federal land' are lands acquired by the Bureau of Land Management, areas of critical environmental concern, and land withdrawn from various uses like entry, appropriation, or mineral leasing.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 North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines a process for a State to relinquish rights to a State land grant parcel in exchange for unappropriated Federal land. The Secretary authorizes the State to select Federal land of substantially equivalent value after the State relinquishes its interest in the State land grant parcel. Land exchanges can occur in single or multiple phases, with the State providing selection lists to the Secretary. The Secretary has 180 days to approve or reject the State's land selection for each phase. Conveyance of Federal land to the State occurs within 60 days of Secretary approval, via patent or deed. The State must concurrently relinquish its interest in the State land grant parcel when Federal land is conveyed. Upon relinquishment, if the State land grant parcel is within a reservation, it may be taken into trust by the Secretary for the benefit of the Indian Tribe, upon request. Consultation with affected Indian Tribes is required prior to conveyance if the land is within reservation boundaries. Federal land selected by the State is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal, mining, and mineral leasing from the date of selection until the date of conveyance, rejection, or withdrawal by the State.

What does VALUATION. of North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes valuation procedures for land grant parcels and unappropriated Federal land conveyed under the Act. Appraisals, conducted by independent appraisers selected jointly by the Secretary and the State, are generally required to determine the value of the land. If the values of the parcels are not equal, the party conveying the parcel of lesser value must either equalize the value through a payment or enter the imbalance into a ledger account. The equalization payment or ledger entry may not exceed 25 percent of the total value of the Federal land. For low-value parcels (less than $500,000 or less than $500 per acre), mass appraisals, summary appraisals, or statements of value may be used instead of full appraisals. Ledger accounts can be used to reflect imbalances in value, which must be balanced within three years and closed within five years of the last land conveyance. The Secretary or State may assume costs typically borne by the other party, with adjustments made to the value of the Federal land to compensate. If mineral rights are involved, the value of the Federal land will be reduced by the likely Federal revenue sharing obligation under the Mineral Leasing Act. Final appraisals must be publicly available for review and notice of their availability must be published.

What does MISCELLANEOUS. of North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 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 North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 do?

This Act authorizes the relinquishment and in lieu selection of land and minerals in North Dakota. The Act aims to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within North Dakota. Pending litigation or disputes regarding land or mineral resource ownership in North Dakota are not affected by this Act.

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North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/2/2026 · Introduced: 3/21/2025

Author: Julie Fedorchak (R-ND)

TL;DR (AI)

This Act authorizes North Dakota to relinquish state-owned land and mineral rights in exchange for federal land of equivalent value.
If relinquished land is within a recognized Indian reservation, it may be taken into trust by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of the relevant Indian Tribe, upon request.
Land exchanges will involve appraisals to determine value, with mechanisms to address imbalances not exceeding 25 percent of the total federal land value.
The Act requires consultation with affected Indian Tribes prior to any land conveyance occurring within reservation boundaries and protects existing treaty rights.
Existing grazing leases and permits on land being conveyed will continue until their expiration, with potential compensation for range improvements.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1084(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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