A bill to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California, and for other purposes.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 188.
Introduced:Feb 26, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Alex Padilla
D - CA
Cosponsors
0
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Native Americans
Summary
This bill confirms that the Indian Reorganization Act applies to the Lytton Rancheria of California, establishing the tribe was under federal jurisdiction in 1934. This allows Interior to take land into trust for the tribe, addressing issues raised by a 2009 Supreme Court decision limiting trust land acquisitions for some tribes.
Latest Action
Held at the desk.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill confirms that the Indian Reorganization Act applies to the Lytton Rancheria of California, establishing the tribe was under federal jurisdiction in 1934. This allows Interior to take land into trust for the tribe, addressing issues raised by a 2009 Supreme Court decision limiting trust land acquisitions for some tribes.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p>This bill applies the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) to the Lytton Rancheria of California. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to acquire and take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe under the IRA. Land taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation.</p><p>A 2009 Supreme Court case, <em>Carcieri v. Salazar</em>, decided that Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the IRA was enacted in 1934. This bill (1) affirms the applicability of the IRA to the Lytton Rancheria of California, thereby deeming the tribe to be under federal jurisdiction as of June 18, 1934, for purposes of the IRA; and (2) authorizes Interior to take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Applies Indian Reorganization Act to Lytton Rancheria
Authorizes land to be taken into trust
Addresses Carcieri v. Salazar decision
Establishes 1934 federal jurisdiction status
Land becomes part of tribal reservation
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
The Lytton Rancheria would be able to have land taken into trust for economic development and sovereignty. The bill addresses a legal barrier created by a Supreme Court ruling that questioned some tribes eligibility. This supports the California tribes ability to establish a land base.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Native Americans
Related Subjects
California
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
748, 119th Congress (2025). "A bill to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California, and for other purposes.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-748