A bill to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
- Committees
- Indian Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 17, 2026
Bottom line
This bill grants all federally recognized Indian Tribes the authority to enter into long-term leases of up to 99 years for their trust lands, aiming to promote economic development and self-determination.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Act of August 9, 1955 (25 U.S.C. 415(a)), to extend the authority for 99-year leases of land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes. Currently, most trust lands are limited to 25-year leases with one 25-year renewal option, while 99-year leases are only permitted for a few specific reservations. This legislation standardizes and expands the 99-year leasing authority to all federally recognized tribes.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that extending 99-year leasing authority to all federally recognized tribes will significantly boost economic development on tribal lands by providing greater certainty and attractiveness for investors and developers. This change would enable tribes to secure more substantial and stable investments, fostering job creation, housing development, and infrastructure projects, thereby enhancing tribal self-determination and economic sovereignty.
Opponents contend
Opponents might express concerns about the potential for long-term leases to dispossess future generations of tribal members from their land or to lead to unfavorable agreements if tribes lack sufficient legal and business expertise. There could also be arguments about the potential for external entities to gain undue control over tribal resources through such extended lease terms, potentially undermining the protective intent of trust land status.
The bill text is extremely short and can be read in under a minute, making it highly accessible for immediate understanding of its core change.
Section 1
Federally Recognized Tribe Leasing Authority
This section amends existing law (25 U.S.C. 415(a)) to allow all federally recognized Indian Tribes to lease their trust lands for up to 99 years. Previously, this extended leasing authority was limited to only a few specific reservations, while most trust lands were subject to a 25-year maximum lease term, with one 25-year renewal option. The change aims to standardize and expand long-term leasing opportunities across all recognized tribes.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the current 25-year lease limit (with a 25-year renewal) is a significant barrier to economic development on tribal lands, as it deters major investments that require longer payback periods. Extending leases to 99 years provides the necessary stability and certainty for large-scale commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects, aligning tribal leasing authority with that of non-tribal entities.
Critics contend
Some may argue that while economic development is important, extending lease terms to 99 years could potentially lead to tribal lands being tied up for nearly a century, potentially limiting future tribal generations' ability to adapt land use or regain full control. Concerns might also be raised about ensuring tribes have adequate legal and financial expertise to negotiate such long-term, complex agreements to prevent exploitation.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire for increased economic development and tribal self-determination through long-term leases against potential concerns about the long-term alienation of tribal land resources and the need for robust tribal capacity to manage complex, extended agreements.