Bill would let tribes approve their own land rights-of-way
Passed one chamberS. 3383Latest action
Sponsor: Brian Schatz · Senator · HI
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Family & community
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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Tribes could gain authority to approve land rights-of-way and long-term leases without case-by-case federal sign-off.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill expands which tribes fall under a 1955 leasing law and removes some outdated time limits on tribal land leases. It also lets tribes write their own rules for approving rights-of-way across tribal trust land, which the Secretary of the Interior could approve, ending case-by-case federal review.
Who does it affect?
Native American tribes seeking more control over land-use and development decisions, along with companies or governments building roads, utilities, or pipelines across tribal land.
Why does it matter?
The change could speed up development and expand tribal self-governance while reducing the federal government's direct role in approving individual projects, though the Secretary retains power to intervene, enforce, or cancel rights-of-way if tribal rules are violated.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedDec 8, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate vote
- HouseYou are here · Oct 5, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the Senate and now goes to the House. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Held at the desk.