Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023

Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023

This act directs the Department of the Interior to take approximately 721.12 acres of land in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, if the tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. The land is made part of the Pala Indian Reservation.

The act generally prohibits gaming on any of the land taken into trust.

Bill 118 hr 423, also known as the Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation that focuses on transferring certain federal lands to the Pala Band of Mission Indians in California. The bill aims to facilitate the transfer of approximately 721 acres of land currently held by the Bureau of Land Management to the Pala Band of Mission Indians for economic development and cultural preservation purposes.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe located in northern San Diego County, California. The tribe has expressed interest in acquiring additional land to support their economic development initiatives, including expanding their existing casino operations and creating new opportunities for tribal members.

If passed, the bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the identified federal lands to the Pala Band of Mission Indians through a land exchange agreement. The tribe would be required to pay fair market value for the land and adhere to certain conditions to ensure the protection of natural resources and cultural sites on the transferred lands. Supporters of the bill argue that the transfer of federal lands to the Pala Band of Mission Indians would provide the tribe with greater control over their own economic development and cultural preservation efforts. They believe that the bill would help create new jobs and revenue streams for the tribe, ultimately benefiting both tribal members and the surrounding community. Opponents of the bill may raise concerns about the potential environmental impacts of transferring federal lands to the tribe, as well as the fairness of the land exchange agreement. They may also question whether the bill adequately addresses the interests of all stakeholders involved in the land transfer process. Overall, Bill 118 hr 423, the Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023, seeks to facilitate the transfer of federal lands to the Pala Band of Mission Indians for economic development and cultural preservation purposes. The bill has the potential to have significant implications for the tribe and the surrounding community, and its passage will likely be subject to further debate and scrutiny in Congress.