Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Passed Senate
Summary
Expands transfers of National Forest land to restore Leech Lake Band territory. This bill would authorize additional federal land in Cass County, Minnesota, to be transferred to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and would create a process for selecting, substituting, and transferring parcels on an acre for acre basis.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Public input and recreation rights would stay
If enacted, the Forest Service would have to take public comments when carrying out these land transfers. The bill says the government does not plan to change land use right away. It would reaffirm that Minnesota Statute 97A.151 and its settlement still apply. That means non‑Tribal hunting, fishing, and recreation rights would stay the same.
Leech Lake land transfers and swaps
If enacted, the Forest Service could transfer more federal land in Cass County, Minnesota, to the Interior Department for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The Secretary and the Tribe could swap National Forest land acre‑for‑acre for listed parcels, avoiding new inholdings and favoring land next to trust lands or of cultural importance. Eligible land would include Chippewa National Forest parcels that Bureau of Indian Affairs records show were sold without unanimous consent of the rightful owners. Transfers could happen on a rolling basis as parcels are identified and surveys are done. Maps and legal descriptions would be submitted for each transfer.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Cosponsors
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 2/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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