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119-hr-2252119th CongressWALLET

North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

Passed House

Summary

Allows North Dakota to swap certain State land grant parcels inside Indian reservations for unappropriated Federal land of substantially equal value. The bill sets appraisal rules, timelines, equalization limits, and Tribal consultation for phased exchanges.

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  • State officials can select Federal parcels in one or more phases and must adjust selections within 120 days to equalize value. If values differ, equalization can use funds or a ledger account up to 25 percent of the Federal land value, with independent appraisals and public posting required.
  • Parcels or portions of parcels within a reservation are taken into trust by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of the Tribe and become part of the reservation. The Secretary must consult affected Tribes before conveyance under Executive Order 13175 and other law.
  • The Secretary has 180 days to approve or reject each phase and must convey approved parcels within 60 days by patent or deed. Selected Federal land is withdrawn from public land and mining laws while under selection or conveyance, and existing leases, permits, and grazing rights stay attached and may continue under current terms.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Grazing could continue after land transfers

If land with a grazing lease or permit is transferred, grazing would continue for the rest of the term under the same stocking rates, fees, and access. If the land is later used for something other than grazing, the authorization could be changed or canceled. State land that counts as base property for a Federal permit would keep that status for the term and any renewal. Holders could be paid for range improvements under existing law.

Tribal trust status for reservation parcels

If the State gives land that lies inside a reservation to the Interior, the tribe could ask to take that portion into trust. If the tribe asks, the trust transfer would happen on the conveyance date and the land would become part of the reservation. Before any such transfer, the State and Interior would consult with the affected tribe under Executive Order 13175 and other laws.

Existing leases and rights would carry over

When land is transferred under the swap, the new owner would, where the law allows, take over existing leases, permits, and rights‑of‑way on that land. This would keep current uses and duties in place for the rest of their terms.

Treaty rights and lawsuits stay intact

This bill would not change treaty rights or tribal trust land. Any land or minerals transferred would still follow Federal, State, and Tribal law. It would not affect court cases or disputes over land or minerals that were already pending on the day the bill becomes law.

How land values would be balanced

Independent appraisers jointly picked by the State and Interior would set land values under federal standards. For parcels under $500,000 and under $500 per acre, simpler appraisals could be used if the State agrees. Final appraisals would be public at least 30 days before an exchange. If values do not match, a payment or ledger entry could balance them, but not above 25% of the Federal parcel’s value. Ledger balances would be fixed within 3 years and closed within 5 years after the last land transfer. Either side could cover the other’s usual costs with matching value adjustments, and mineral values under producing or producible leases would be reduced by the likely revenue share.

How the North Dakota land swap works

This bill would set clear steps and deadlines for the State–Federal land swap. The State would send a list for each phase, could adjust it within 120 days, and the Interior Secretary would decide within 180 days. If approved, conveyance steps would start within 60 days, and the State and Interior would transfer their parcels at the same time. Selected Federal parcels would be withdrawn from new claims, mining, and leasing until approval, rejection, or withdrawal of the selection. The Secretary would be allowed to do environmental reviews, and both sides would complete hazardous‑materials inspections and certifications before any transfer.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

ND • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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