Next Wednesday, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee will consider legislation that would amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian tribes (S. 2188).  The legislation, introduced by Committee Chair Jon Tester (D-MT), would allow any federally-recognized tribe to take land into trust.  The legislation is concerning to local governments because it does not provide them with a seat at the table when making land use decisions.  Should the measure be enacted, it would overturn theCarcieri decision without any substantive reforms to the fee-to-trust process.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Cyndi Hillery at (916) 447-4806 orchillery@rcrcnet.org.