North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2023

North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2023

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to exchange, at the election of North Dakota, certain federal land for certain state land of substantially equal value.

Specifically, subject to valid existing rights, if North Dakota elects to relinquish a parcel of state land located wholly or partially within the boundaries of any Indian reservation, the bill authorizes North Dakota to select one or more parcels of federal land of substantially equivalent value within that state.

No later than 60 days after Interior approves North Dakota's selection of federal land, Interior shall initiate the actions necessary to convey the federal land to the state.

As consideration for the conveyance of the federal land, North Dakota shall concurrently relinquish and convey the state land to Interior. Land conveyed to Interior that is within the boundaries of a reservation becomes part of the reservation on request of the tribe.

Bill 118 hr 2405, also known as the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2023, aims to transfer certain federal lands in North Dakota to the state's trust lands. The bill seeks to complete the transfer of lands that were originally granted to North Dakota under the Enabling Act of 1889, which allowed the state to enter the Union.

The purpose of this legislation is to fulfill the terms of the Enabling Act and ensure that North Dakota has control over its trust lands for the benefit of the state and its residents. The bill specifies the lands that will be transferred, as well as the terms and conditions of the transfer.

Proponents of the bill argue that transferring these lands to the state will allow for better management and utilization of the resources on the trust lands. They believe that the state is better equipped to make decisions about how these lands should be used for the benefit of North Dakota. Opponents of the bill may argue that transferring federal lands to the state could lead to potential environmental degradation or exploitation of natural resources. They may also raise concerns about the impact of the transfer on federally protected lands or endangered species. Overall, the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2023 is a significant piece of legislation that aims to fulfill a longstanding obligation to the state of North Dakota and ensure that the trust lands are managed in a way that benefits the state and its residents.