Legis Daily

Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-622| Senate 
| Updated: 12/15/2025
Tina Smith

Tina Smith

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill significantly amends the existing Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act. Its primary purpose is to provide for the transfer of additional Federal land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, expanding upon previous land restoration efforts. Key provisions include broadening the definition of "Federal land" eligible for transfer to encompass parcels within the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, that Bureau of Indian Affairs records indicate were sold without the unanimous consent of rightful landowners. The bill also introduces a mechanism for the Secretary and the Tribe to enter into an agreement to substitute alternative National Forest System land on an acre-for-acre basis, prioritizing lands adjacent to existing trust lands or those of cultural importance. These transfers can occur on a rolling basis as lands are identified and surveyed. Furthermore, the legislation explicitly reaffirms the applicability of Minnesota Statutes section 97A.151, ensuring that the hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of non-Tribal members remain unchanged by these land transfers. The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, is also mandated to provide for public engagement and comment in accordance with applicable laws during the implementation of these amendments.

Bill Text Versions

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3 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-616
Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 5, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Oct 14, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-78.
Oct 14, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 187.
Dec 11, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8687-8688; text: CR S8688)
Dec 11, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 15, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 15, 2025
Received in the House.
Dec 15, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-616
    Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 5, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • October 14, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-78.


  • October 14, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 187.


  • December 11, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8687-8688; text: CR S8688)


  • December 11, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 15, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 15, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • December 15, 2025
    Held at the desk.

Native Americans

Congressional oversightFederal-Indian relationsForests, forestry, treesIndian claimsIndian lands and resources rightsLand transfersMinnesota

Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-622| Senate 
| Updated: 12/15/2025
This bill significantly amends the existing Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act. Its primary purpose is to provide for the transfer of additional Federal land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, expanding upon previous land restoration efforts. Key provisions include broadening the definition of "Federal land" eligible for transfer to encompass parcels within the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, that Bureau of Indian Affairs records indicate were sold without the unanimous consent of rightful landowners. The bill also introduces a mechanism for the Secretary and the Tribe to enter into an agreement to substitute alternative National Forest System land on an acre-for-acre basis, prioritizing lands adjacent to existing trust lands or those of cultural importance. These transfers can occur on a rolling basis as lands are identified and surveyed. Furthermore, the legislation explicitly reaffirms the applicability of Minnesota Statutes section 97A.151, ensuring that the hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of non-Tribal members remain unchanged by these land transfers. The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, is also mandated to provide for public engagement and comment in accordance with applicable laws during the implementation of these amendments.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-616
Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 5, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Oct 14, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-78.
Oct 14, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 187.
Dec 11, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8687-8688; text: CR S8688)
Dec 11, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 15, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 15, 2025
Received in the House.
Dec 15, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-616
    Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 5, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • October 14, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-78.


  • October 14, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 187.


  • December 11, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8687-8688; text: CR S8688)


  • December 11, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 15, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 15, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • December 15, 2025
    Held at the desk.
Tina Smith

Tina Smith

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightFederal-Indian relationsForests, forestry, treesIndian claimsIndian lands and resources rightsLand transfersMinnesota