Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill aims to significantly streamline the processing of residential and business mortgages, land mortgages, and right-of-way documents on Indian land by establishing strict deadlines for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). It requires BIA offices to conduct a preliminary review of submitted mortgage packages within 10 days and notify lenders of any missing documents within two days. For complete packages, leasehold mortgages must be approved or disapproved within 20 days, while land mortgages and right-of-way documents have a 30-day approval window. The legislation further mandates that BIA complete certified title status reports within 10 to 14 days after mortgage approval or request. If deadlines are missed, BIA must immediately notify the submitting party and lender of the delay. To enhance transparency and access, relevant federal agencies and Indian Tribes will gain read-only access to pertinent land documents within the BIA's Trust Asset and Accounting Management System (TAAMS). The BIA Director must also submit an annual report to Congress detailing processing times and reasons for missed deadlines, while the Comptroller General will study the digitization of tribal land records. Finally, the bill establishes a new Realty Ombudsman position within the BIA to monitor compliance with these deadlines, serve as a liaison with other federal agencies, and resolve inquiries and complaints from tribes, members, and lenders regarding mortgage processes on Indian land.
Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHousing finance and home ownershipIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relations
Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-2130| House
| Updated: 2/23/2026
This bill aims to significantly streamline the processing of residential and business mortgages, land mortgages, and right-of-way documents on Indian land by establishing strict deadlines for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). It requires BIA offices to conduct a preliminary review of submitted mortgage packages within 10 days and notify lenders of any missing documents within two days. For complete packages, leasehold mortgages must be approved or disapproved within 20 days, while land mortgages and right-of-way documents have a 30-day approval window. The legislation further mandates that BIA complete certified title status reports within 10 to 14 days after mortgage approval or request. If deadlines are missed, BIA must immediately notify the submitting party and lender of the delay. To enhance transparency and access, relevant federal agencies and Indian Tribes will gain read-only access to pertinent land documents within the BIA's Trust Asset and Accounting Management System (TAAMS). The BIA Director must also submit an annual report to Congress detailing processing times and reasons for missed deadlines, while the Comptroller General will study the digitization of tribal land records. Finally, the bill establishes a new Realty Ombudsman position within the BIA to monitor compliance with these deadlines, serve as a liaison with other federal agencies, and resolve inquiries and complaints from tribes, members, and lenders regarding mortgage processes on Indian land.
Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHousing finance and home ownershipIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relations