Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 187.
Introduced:Feb 18, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Tina Flint Smith
Senator
Democratic
MN
Cosponsors
1
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Native Americans
Summary
This bill transfers federal land in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. It addresses land that BIA records show was sold without the rightful landowners unanimous consent, allowing substitution of alternative National Forest land on an acre-for-acre basis.
Latest Action
Held at the desk.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill transfers federal land in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. It addresses land that BIA records show was sold without the rightful landowners unanimous consent, allowing substitution of alternative National Forest land on an acre-for-acre basis.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill transfers certain federal land located in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, to the Department of the Interior for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to transfer for the benefit of the tribe land in the Chippewa National Forest that records maintained by the Bureau of Indian Affairs show was sold without the unanimous consent of the rightful landowners.</p><p>Upon agreement between USDA and the tribe, USDA shall substitute alternative National Forest System land located in Cass County, Minnesota, on an acre-for-acre basis for those parcels of federal land to be transferred in a manner that avoids inholdings and provides a preference for land adjacent to or near existing Leech Lake trust lands and lands of cultural importance to the tribe, to the maximum extent practicable.</p><p>USDA may transfer land to Interior on a rolling basis as that land is identified and surveys are completed.</p><p>USDA, acting through the U.S. Forest Service, must provide for public engagement and comment to implement this bill.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Transfers Chippewa National Forest land to Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Addresses historically improper land sales without owner consent
Allows substitution of alternative National Forest land
Prioritizes land near existing trust lands and culturally important sites
Requires USDA public engagement process for implementation
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe would receive restoration of tribal lands improperly taken. This addresses historical wrongs while USDA works with the tribe to identify appropriate substitute parcels in the Chippewa National Forest.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Native Americans
Related Subjects
Congressional oversight
Federal-Indian relations
Forests, forestry, trees
Indian claims
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Minnesota
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
622, 119th Congress (2025). "Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-622
