Bill Summary
The "Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025" is legislation that facilitates the transfer of approximately 583.79 acres of federal land, known as the Four Corners Federal land, into trust for the benefit of the Pit River Tribe in California. This act mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a complete survey of the land within 180 days of enactment. Once the land is taken into trust, it will be considered part of the Pit River Tribe's reservation and will be managed according to applicable laws for tribal lands. Importantly, the act prohibits the use of this land for any class II or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The legislation also clearly defines key terms and specifies the boundaries of the land affected by the transfer.
Possible Impacts
The "Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025" could have several potential effects on people, particularly those associated with the Pit River Tribe as well as surrounding communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Cultural and Economic Empowerment for the Pit River Tribe**: Taking the Four Corners Federal land into trust for the Pit River Tribe may enhance their ability to manage and utilize the land for cultural, economic, and community development. This could lead to increased opportunities for the tribe, such as the development of community facilities, housing, or cultural preservation projects, helping to strengthen their cultural identity and self-governance.
2. **Impact on Local Land Use and Ecosystem Management**: The transfer of land into trust could affect how the land is managed, impacting local ecosystems and land use practices. The Pit River Tribe may implement land management strategies that differ from federal or state practices, which could influence local wildlife habitats, forestry practices, and public access to the land. This could lead to changes in recreational opportunities or conservation efforts that affect both tribal members and non-tribal residents.
3. **Restrictions on Gaming and Economic Development**: The legislation explicitly prohibits the use of the newly acquired land for class II or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This means that the tribe cannot use this land to develop casinos, which could limit certain economic development opportunities that might have provided significant revenue for the tribe. As a result, the tribe may need to explore alternative avenues for economic growth, which could impact their financial sustainability and services they provide to their members.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2400 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2400
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 16, 2025
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for
the benefit of the Pit River Tribe.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pit River Land Transfer Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. LAND TO BE TAKEN INTO TRUST.
(a) Transfer of Four Corners Federal Land.--
(1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Four
Corners Federal land is hereby taken into trust by the
Secretary for the benefit of the Tribe.
(2) Survey.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
provide to the Secretary a complete survey of the Four Corners
Federal land.
(b) Administration.--Upon being taken into trust under this
section, the lands taken into trust by the Secretary for the benefit of
the Tribe shall be--
(1) considered part of the Pit River Tribe Reservation; and
(2) administered by the Secretary in accordance with the
laws and regulations generally applicable to property held in
trust by the United States for an Indian Tribe.
(c) Gaming Prohibited.--Land taken into trust under this section
shall not be used for any class II gaming or class III gaming under the
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) (as those terms
are defined in section 4 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 2703)).
(d) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Four corners federal land.--
(A) In general.--The term ``Four Corners Federal
land'' means the approximately 583.79 acres of land
managed by the Forest Service generally depicted within
the ``Proposed Land Conveyance'' boundary on the Map,
including improvements and appurtenances thereon.
(B) Exclusion.--The term ``Four Corners Federal
land'' does not include the approximately 20.03 acres
of roads, highways, and public rights-of-way subject to
existing easements generally depicted within the
``Proposed Land Conveyance'' boundary on the Map.
(2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map titled ``Proposed
Land Conveyance to the Pit River Tribe'' prepared by the Forest
Service and dated November 6, 2024.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) Tribe.--The term ``Tribe'' means the Pit River Tribe,
California (includes XL Ranch, Big Bend, Likely, Lookout,
Montgomery Creek, and Roaring Creek Rancherias).
Passed the House of Representatives December 15, 2025.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.