What changed between these versions
A substantive amendment, v6 updates the short title to 2026 and revises the process for taking the Four Corners Federal land into trust for the Pit River Tribe. It introduces an administrative transfer of jurisdiction from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior, shifts survey responsibility, and significantly alters the total and excluded acreage of the land to be taken into trust.
Overview
v6 introduces a handful of significant changes primarily concentrated within Section 2, which governs the land to be taken into trust. · The overall direction is to refine the mechanics and scope of the land transfer for the Pit River Tribe, clarifying administrative responsibilities and adjusting land parcel details.
The most significant changes in v6 involve a revised definition of the "Four Corners Federal land," reducing the total acreage to be taken into trust from approximately 583.79 acres to 557 acres, while substantially increasing the excluded acreage for roads, easements, and special use permit areas from 20.03 acres to 87 acres. Additionally, v6 introduces a new administrative transfer step, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer jurisdiction to the Secretary of the Interior before the land is taken into trust. The responsibility for conducting the land survey is also shifted from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior, with an explicit requirement to survey excluded areas. The core purpose of taking land into trust for the Pit River Tribe and the prohibition on gaming remain unchanged.
Major additions
This new subsection mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Four Corners Federal land to the Secretary (of the Interior) prior to the land being taken into trust.
This adds an explicit procedural step to the land transfer process, ensuring a formal handover of administrative control before the trust status is established. It clarifies the roles of the two Secretaries involved, potentially streamlining the overall process.
This new subsection allows the Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Tribe to mutually agree on minor corrections and adjustments to the land taken into trust, including to the survey, to facilitate land management.
This provision provides flexibility for practical adjustments post-enactment, potentially avoiding future legislative action for minor boundary or management issues. It empowers the involved parties to resolve small discrepancies through mutual agreement.
Modifications
This change updates the official citation year for the Act, reflecting the expected year of enactment in 2026 instead of 2025.
Before
The Act was titled the "Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025".
After
The Act is titled the "Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2026".
This change centralizes the survey responsibility under the Secretary of the Interior, who is also responsible for taking the land into trust, potentially streamlining the process. Explicitly surveying excluded areas provides a more comprehensive understanding of the entire parcel.
Before
Mandated the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a complete survey of the Four Corners Federal land to the Secretary (of the Interior) within 180 days.
After
Mandates the Secretary (of the Interior) to carry out a complete survey of the Four Corners Federal land, including the areas described in subsection (g)(1)(B) (excluded areas), within 180 days.
A smaller total area of land, specifically a reduction from 583.79 acres to 557 acres, will be taken into trust for the benefit of the Pit River Tribe, reducing the overall land base transferred.
Before
Defined "Four Corners Federal land" as approximately 583.79 acres of land managed by the Forest Service.
After
Defines "Four Corners Federal land" as approximately 557 acres of land managed by the Forest Service.
A substantially larger portion of the original proposed land parcel, increasing from 20.03 acres to 87 acres, will remain outside of the trust land. The broadened categories of excluded uses, now including easements and special use permit areas, may impact access or use rights for other entities within the vicinity.
Before
Excluded approximately 20.03 acres of roads, highways, and public rights-of-way subject to existing easements from the "Four Corners Federal land".
After
Excludes approximately 87 acres of roads, highways, public rights-of-way, easements, and special use permit areas subject to existing easements from the "Four Corners Federal land".
This update indicates that the land descriptions and boundaries are based on a more recent survey or depiction, reflecting the updated acreage and exclusions detailed in the bill.
Before
Referenced a map prepared by the Forest Service titled "Proposed Land Conveyance to the Pit River Tribe" and dated November 6, 2024.
After
References a map prepared by the Forest Service entitled "Proposed Land Conveyance to the Pit River Tribe" and dated June 30, 2026.
Scope
Meaningful expansion or narrowing — The changes are concentrated within Section 2, which details the land to be taken into trust and its associated definitions and procedures. — v6 represents a refinement within the existing policy direction of transferring federal land into trust for the Pit River Tribe, rather than a change in the fundamental purpose. — The changes to acreage and exclusions directly impact the core purpose of the bill, which is the land transfer. The new administrative transfer step also affects the implementation of the trust land acquisition, requiring a specific sequence of actions.
Impact analysis
Pit River Tribe
The Tribe receives less total land in trust compared to v5, but gains clarity on the administrative transfer process and flexibility for minor corrections through mutual agreement.
The total acreage of land taken into trust for their benefit is reduced from approximately 583.79 acres to 557 acres, and a larger portion of the original parcel (87 acres vs. 20.03 acres) is explicitly excluded for various uses. The administrative process for the transfer now includes an explicit administrative jurisdiction transfer step from the Secretary of Agriculture.
Secretary of Agriculture
Gains relief from survey responsibility but has a new explicit administrative transfer duty, centralizing the trust acquisition process under the Secretary of the Interior.
Now explicitly mandated to transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Four Corners Federal land to the Secretary of the Interior. No longer responsible for conducting the survey, as that duty shifts to the Secretary of the Interior.
Secretary of the Interior
Gains additional responsibility for the survey and administrative jurisdiction, potentially streamlining the overall trust acquisition process by consolidating tasks.
Now explicitly responsible for carrying out the complete survey, including excluded areas. Also gains the administrative jurisdiction over the land from the Secretary of Agriculture before taking it into trust.
Entities holding existing easements or special use permits within the Four Corners Federal land area
Gains greater certainty and protection for their existing rights and uses over a larger area, as these areas are now more comprehensively excluded from the land taken into trust.
A significantly larger area (approximately 87 acres, up from 20.03 acres) is explicitly excluded from the trust land for roads, highways, public rights-of-way, easements, and special use permit areas.