United StatesBill would exchange Montana land and mineral rights among local owners
If enacted, the bill would exchange mineral rights and surface land among the Crow Tribe, the Hope Family Trust, a Montana company, and the federal government.
What it does
If the leaseholder offers to give up the Bull Mountains Lease, the government would accept it and transfer specified federal mineral rights to the Hope Family Trust. The Tribe and Trust must first agree how to share revenue if those rights are developed.
The Hope Family Trust would transfer its minerals in the Crow Reservation to the Crow Tribe. At the Tribe's request, the government would hold them in trust, and Montana state and local taxes would not apply.
Musselshell Resources LLC would trade about 959 acres of its surface land for about 940 acres of federal surface land in Musselshell County, subject to valid existing rights.
Federal amounts or other benefits under the bill would not reduce or deny services or programs the Crow Tribe or its members qualify for because of tribal recognition or membership.
Argument forThe Tribe could ask the government to hold its transferred minerals in trust, and Montana and its local governments could not tax those minerals.
Argument againstThe mineral transfers could depend on the leaseholder offering to give up the lease and the Tribe and Trust agreeing on a formula for sharing future revenue.
More detail
The Secretary would accept the lease relinquishment if the lessee offers it, and transfer specified federal mineral rights to the Hope Family Trust. The federal rights cover mineral interests in the Bull Mountains Mineral Tracts in Musselshell County, Montana. The transfers are subject to valid existing rights. Before the transfers, the Tribe must tell the Secretary in writing that it and the Hope Family Trust agreed on a formula to share revenue if the mineral rights are developed later. The bill calls for these steps in one transaction within 60 days after enactment.
The Hope Family Trust would transfer its mineral rights in the Hope Family Tracts to the Crow Tribe. The transfer covers about 4,660 acres of mineral interests owned by the Trust within the Crow Reservation in Big Horn County, Montana. At the Tribe's request, the United States would hold the transferred minerals in trust for the Tribe. Montana and its local governments could not tax the transferred minerals. The bill calls for the transfer in one transaction within 60 days after enactment.
Musselshell Resources LLC would transfer specified surface land to the United States, and the Secretary would transfer specified federal surface land to the company. The exchange covers about 959 acres owned by the company and about 940 acres owned by the United States in Musselshell County, Montana. Both transfers are subject to valid existing rights. The bill calls for both transfers in one transaction within 60 days after enactment.
Federal amounts or other benefits under the bill would not reduce or deny certain federal services, benefits, or programs for the Tribe or its members. The protection covers the Crow Tribe and its members. The protection applies to services, benefits, or programs for which the Tribe or a member qualifies because of federal recognition of the Tribe or membership in it.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 28Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-155.Latest
- Sep 28Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 686.
- Aug 5Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2025
- Jan 24Introduced in Senate
- Jan 24Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.Introduced
Environment & Energy