Bill 119 hr 681, also known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act Amendment," seeks to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 to allow for longer lease terms for land held in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). Currently, the Long-Term Leasing Act limits lease terms to 25 years for tribal lands, but this bill would authorize leases of up to 99 years for these specific tribes.
The purpose of this amendment is to provide the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) with greater flexibility in managing their lands and resources. By extending the lease terms, the tribes would have more stability and certainty in their long-term planning and development efforts.
This bill is non-partisan and aims to support the sovereignty and self-governance of these Native American tribes. It does not have any direct impact on federal spending or government programs. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as a positive step towards empowering tribal communities to make decisions about their own lands.
In summary, Bill 119 hr 681 would amend the Long-Term Leasing Act to allow for longer lease terms for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), providing these tribes with greater control and autonomy over their lands.