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119-s-3383119th CongressWALLET

Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

Passed Senate

Summary

tribal authority over leasing and rights‑of‑way would be expanded to unlock Native lands for commerce and let tribes design environmental reviews, set compensation, and negotiate long terms for leases and rights‑of‑way.

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  • Tribes gain broader leasing power. They could lease trust or restricted lands held for other tribes listed federally. The bill also removes a fixed statutory cap on lease terms so tribes and lessees can negotiate duration.
  • Projects and private developers face a tribe‑led approval path. Tribes may grant rights‑of‑way under tribal regulations that set payment and terms. Federally funded projects can rely on federal agency reviews instead of a separate tribal process.
  • Interior keeps a backstop role for oversight and enforcement. The Secretary must act on tribal regulations within 180 days in most cases and can rescind approvals or reassume approval duties if tribes fail to follow approved rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Tribes approve rights-of-way under their rules

If enacted, tribes would grant rights‑of‑way across tribal land under their own regulations approved by Interior. Interior would review a tribe’s regulation within 180 days, with extensions after consulting the tribe. The regulation would include environmental review, public notice, time to comment, and written tribal responses. For federally funded projects, a tribe would rely on the federal agency’s environmental review. The United States would not be liable for losses to parties to these rights‑of‑way. Interior would keep oversight and could enforce or rescind approvals after a violation, with notice and a hearing. Tribal sovereign immunity would remain unless the tribe waives it, and tribes would set terms and payments. Tribes would give payment records so Interior can meet trust duties.

Longer leases on more tribal land

If enacted, more tribal trust and restricted land would be open to long‑term leases. It would apply to land held in trust for any tribe on Interior’s current federally recognized list. The bill would remove the statutory cap on lease length. Tribes and lessees would set terms, with Secretary approval. This would support larger housing and business projects on tribal land.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

HI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 12/8/2025

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/17/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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