Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to take approximately 836 acres of land in California into trust for the benefit of the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians . Specifically, it transfers administrative jurisdiction of Parcel 2 and Parcel 3 to the Secretary and designates Parcel 1, Parcel 2, and Parcel 3 as "covered land" to be held in trust. Once taken into trust, this land will become an integral part of the Tribe's reservation and will be administered under the general laws and regulations applicable to property held in trust by the United States for Indian Tribes. The land transfer is subject to several important conditions designed to balance tribal sovereignty with public interests. These include the preservation of valid existing rights such as liens, rights-of-way, and easements. Crucially, the bill ensures the continuing right of the public to access the land for recreational, scenic, scientific, and conservation uses, including motorized access to roads and recreational access to trails, subject to reasonable tribal rules. Furthermore, it guarantees necessary access for Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service employees for emergency purposes like search and rescue or wildfire suppression. A significant provision of the bill explicitly states that the land taken into trust shall not be used for any class II or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that nothing in the Act will alter or require the alteration of any existing water rights or service agreements. The bill defines the specific parcels of land, totaling approximately 836 acres, and identifies the Secretary of the Interior as the administering authority.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Native Americans
CaliforniaIndian lands and resources rightsLand transfersLand use and conservation
Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2026
USA119th CongressHR-8483| House
| Updated: 5/21/2026
This legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to take approximately 836 acres of land in California into trust for the benefit of the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians . Specifically, it transfers administrative jurisdiction of Parcel 2 and Parcel 3 to the Secretary and designates Parcel 1, Parcel 2, and Parcel 3 as "covered land" to be held in trust. Once taken into trust, this land will become an integral part of the Tribe's reservation and will be administered under the general laws and regulations applicable to property held in trust by the United States for Indian Tribes. The land transfer is subject to several important conditions designed to balance tribal sovereignty with public interests. These include the preservation of valid existing rights such as liens, rights-of-way, and easements. Crucially, the bill ensures the continuing right of the public to access the land for recreational, scenic, scientific, and conservation uses, including motorized access to roads and recreational access to trails, subject to reasonable tribal rules. Furthermore, it guarantees necessary access for Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service employees for emergency purposes like search and rescue or wildfire suppression. A significant provision of the bill explicitly states that the land taken into trust shall not be used for any class II or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that nothing in the Act will alter or require the alteration of any existing water rights or service agreements. The bill defines the specific parcels of land, totaling approximately 836 acres, and identifies the Secretary of the Interior as the administering authority.