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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5696 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5696
To improve Tribal self-governance by streamlining appraisals for on-
reservation trust land acquisitions by Indian Tribes with self-
governance realty programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 6, 2025
Mr. LaMalfa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve Tribal self-governance by streamlining appraisals for on-
reservation trust land acquisitions by Indian Tribes with self-
governance realty programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Tribal Real Estate
Authority and Modernizing Land for Indigenous Nation Expansion Act'' or
the ``STREAMLINE ACT''.
SEC. 2. REGULATORY REVISION TO PART 151 OF TITLE 25, CODE OF FEDERAL
REGULATIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) ISDEAA.--The term ``ISDEAA'' means the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et
seq.).
(2) Self-governance realty program.--The term ``self-
governance realty program'' means a program operated by an
Indian Tribe under a compact or funding agreement pursuant to
title I or title IV of ISDEAA that includes real estate
services and valuation functions recognized by the Office of
Tribal Sovereignty of the Department of the Interior.
(3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning of the term ``Indian tribe'' in section 102 of the
Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C.
5130).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) Tribal appraisal.--The term ``Tribal appraisal'' means
a valuation prepared for an Indian Tribe by personnel or
contractors operating under the Indian Tribe's ISDEAA title I
contract or ISDEAA title IV compact or funding agreement in
conformance with the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice.
(b) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall revise part 151 of title 25, Code of
Federal Regulations (relating to land acquisitions), to provide that
the Secretary shall accept a Tribal appraisal or valuation in lieu of a
Federal appraisal with respect to an Indian Tribe if--
(1) the Indian Tribe is party to an ISDEAA title I of
contract or ISDEAA title IV compact or funding agreement;
(2) the Indian Tribe has assumed responsibility for realty
or land management functions under such contract, compact, or
funding agreement, including the authority to conduct
appraisals or valuations; and
(3) the land to be acquired is located within the exterior
boundaries of the reservation of the Indian Tribe, or
contiguous to lands held in trust for the Indian Tribe.
(c) Appraisal Acceptance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise part 151 of title
25, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide that, for acquisitions
within a reservation or contiguous to trust lands of an Indian Tribe,
the Secretary shall accept a Tribal appraisal in lieu of an appraisal
procured or reviewed by the Appraisal and Valuation Services Office,
if--
(1) the Indian Tribe is party to an ISDEAA title I of
contract or ISDEAA title IV compact or funding agreement;
(2) the contract, compact, or funding agreement includes
real estate services and valuation authority; and
(3) the appraisal conforms to the Uniform Standards of
Professional Appraisal Practice.
(d) Indian Trust Asset Reform.--Nothing in this section limits
Indian Tribes from using the authorities available to Indian Tribes
under section 305 of the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act (25 U.S.C.
5635).
(e) Fiduciary and Trust Duty Satisfied.--Acceptance by the
Secretary of a Tribal appraisal that meets the requirements of
subsection (b) shall be deemed in compliance with the Secretary's
fiduciary and trust responsibility with respect to valuation for such
acquisition.
(f) Ministerial Role.--In the case of the acceptance of Tribal
appraisal pursuant to subsection (b), the role of the Department of the
Interior shall be limited to ministerial confirmation of receipt and
recordation of the Tribal certification.
(g) Policy Manuals.--The Secretary shall conform relevant
Department of the Interior manuals, including the Appraisal and
Valuation Services Office guidance and the Fee-to-Trust Handbook (52
IAM 12-H), to the requirements of subsection (b).
SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO INDIAN LAND CONSOLIDATION ACT.
Section 219 of the Indian Land Consolidation Act (25 U.S.C. 2218)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Tribal Appraisals Under Self-Governance Realty Programs.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary--
``(1) shall not require an appraisal prepared by or
reviewed by the Department of the Interior for a conveyance or
acquisition of trust or restricted land by an Indian tribe,
if--
``(A) the tribe is a party to a self-governance
compact or contract under title I or title IV of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act;
``(B) the tribe has assumed responsibility for
realty or land management functions under such compact
or contract, including the authority to conduct
appraisals or valuations;
``(C) the land is located within the exterior
boundaries of the tribe's reservation, or contiguous to
lands already held in trust for the tribe; and
``(D) the appraisal conforms to Uniform Standards
of Professional Appraisal Practice; and
``(2) if the criteria described in subparagraphs (A)
through (D) of paragraph (1) are met, shall accept appraisals
or valuations conducted under the tribe's compacted program as
sufficient to establish fair market value.''.
SEC. 4. TRANSPARENCY AND EVALUATION.
(a) Data.--The Secretary shall track and publish processing times
for fee-to-trust acquisitions using Tribal appraisals versus Department
of the Interior appraisals.
(b) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall evaluate the implementation
of this Act and any effects on processing time, quality, and
litigation.
(c) No Effect on NEPA or Title Review.--Nothing in this Act alters
requirements for environmental compliance, title evidence, or notice
under part 151 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
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