Tribal Governments Authorized to Approve Leasing of Tribal Lands

Native American Legislative Update - July 2012

Tribal Governments Authorized to Approve Leasing of Tribal Lands

On July 17, the Senate approved legislation called the HEARTH Act, or Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act of 2011 (H.R. 205). This legislation, passed by unanimous consent, would authorize tribes to lease tribal lands for such purposes as housing, community services, business, energy connections and roads without first having to obtain express approval for each project from the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. To participate in the program, a tribe would have to have in place its own regulations for the conduct of such leasing; the tribe's regulations would have to be approved by the Secretary.

This measure has been a national priority bill for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and FCNL this Congress. Since the House passed the same bill a few weeks ago, by an overwhelming vote of 400- 0, it now goes to the President to be signed in to law.

See more articles in the July 2012 NALU.