H.R. 1306House115th Congress (2017-2019)Enacted

Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act

Introduced March 2, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:21 PM UTC

The Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act transfers specific parcels of federal land in western Oregon to two Native American groups – the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw. The bill places the land in trust for the tribes, makes it part of their reservations, and sets rules for how the land will be managed. It also updates the Coquille Restoration Act to change forest‑management and timber‑sale procedures. The changes affect the tribes, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and any parties involved in logging, timber sales, or land use on the conveyed lands.

Key Provisions

  • Designates about 17,500 acres called “Council Creek land” to be held in trust for the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe and added to its reservation.
  • Designates about 14,700 acres called “Oregon Coastal land” to be held in trust for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw and added to their reservation.
  • Requires the Interior Secretary to complete boundary surveys and file maps and legal descriptions of the conveyed lands within two years.
  • Prohibits gaming on the newly trusted lands and applies existing federal rules to the export of unprocessed logs harvested there.
  • Mandates forest‑management on the lands to follow all applicable federal laws and sets up agreements for continued administrative access and reciprocal right‑of‑way rights for the tribes.
  • Orders identification and reclassification of comparable public‑domain land to match railroad‑grant lands, with public comment before any reclassification.
  • Amends the Coquille Restoration Act to have the Secretary manage the Coquille Forest under Indian trust‑land rules, apply export restrictions on unprocessed logs, and require competitive bidding for timber sales.

Legislative Activity

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19 earlier actions
Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 115-103.

January 8, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 2, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

March 2, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

March 13, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.

March 13, 2017

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

June 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

June 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-204.

July 11, 2017

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 141.

July 11, 2017

HouseFloor

Mr. LaHood moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

July 11, 2017 • 5:14 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5412-5414)

July 11, 2017 • 5:14 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1306.

July 11, 2017 • 5:14 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5412-5413)

July 11, 2017 • 5:19 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5412-5413)

July 11, 2017 • 5:19 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

July 11, 2017 • 5:19 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate, read twice.

July 12, 2017

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8267-8269)

December 21, 2017

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 22, 2017

President

Presented to President.

December 27, 2017

Became Law

Signed by President.

January 8, 2018

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 115-103.

January 8, 2018

Floor Debate

5 members

What members said about H.R. 1306 on the floor

3 Republicans2 Democrats
Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · Feb 28, 2018

Mr. President, I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for February 2018. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to…

Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · Apr 12, 2018

Mr. President, I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for April 2018. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in…

Michael B. Enzi
Sen. Michael B. EnziR-WY · Jan 18, 2018

Madam President, I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for January 2018. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to…

Darin LaHood
Rep. Darin LaHoodR-IL-18 · Jul 11, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1306) to provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in the State of Oregon, and for other purposes. Mr. Speaker, I ask…

Peter A. DeFazio
Rep. Peter A. DeFazioD-OR-4 · Jul 11, 2017

Mr. Speaker, due to flight delays, I was unable to speak on the floor in support of my legislation. The Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act is a bipartisan, no-cost, common sense bill that will go a…

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Jimmy Panetta
Rep. Jimmy PanettaD-CA-20 · Jul 11, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1306 is a culmination of years of work to address the wrongs of the past. The termination era in Federal Indian policy is one…

Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Dec 21, 2017

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Energy and Natural Resources Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following bills: S. 1438 and H.R. 1927; and that the Senate…

Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Dec 21, 2017

Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the bills. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Bill Text

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One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America

At the First Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and seventeen

H. R. 1306

AN ACT

To provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in the State of Oregon, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act.

(b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I—Cow Creek Umpqua Land Conveyance

Sec. 101. Definitions.

Sec. 102. Land to be held in trust.

Sec. 103. Map and legal description.

Sec. 104. Administration.

Sec. 105. Land reclassification.

TITLE II—Oregon Coastal Land Conveyance

Sec. 201. Definitions.

Sec. 202. Land to be held in trust.

Sec. 203. Map and legal description.

Sec. 204. Administration.

Sec. 205. Land reclassification.

TITLE III—Amendments to Coquille Restoration Act

Sec. 301. Amendments to Coquille Restoration Act.

I

Cow Creek Umpqua Land Conveyance

101.

Definitions

In this title:

(1)

Council creek land

The term Council Creek land means the approximately 17,519 acres of land, as generally depicted on the map entitled Canyon Mountain Land Conveyance and dated May 24, 2016.

(2)

Tribe

The term Tribe means the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

102.

Land to be held in trust

(a)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights, including rights-of-way, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Council Creek land, including any improvements located on the land, appurtenances to the land, and minerals on or in the land, including oil and gas, shall be—

(1)

held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe; and

(2)

part of the reservation of the Tribe.

(b)

Survey

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a survey to establish the boundaries of the land taken into trust under subsection (a).

(c)

Effective date

Subsection (a) shall take effect on the day after the date on which the Secretary records the agreement entered into under section 104(d)(1).

103.

Map and legal description

(a)

In general

As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal description of the Council Creek land with—

(1)

the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and

(2)

the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

(b)

Force and effect

The map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this title, except that the Secretary may correct any clerical or typographical errors in the map or legal description.

(c)

Public availability

The map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Secretary.

104.

Administration

(a)

In general

Unless expressly provided in this title, nothing in this title affects any right or claim of the Tribe existing on the date of enactment of this Act to any land or interest in land.

(b)

Prohibitions

(1)

Exports of unprocessed logs

Federal law (including regulations) relating to the export of unprocessed logs harvested from Federal land shall apply to any unprocessed logs that are harvested from the Council Creek land.

(2)

Non-permissible use of land

Any real property taken into trust under section 102 shall not be eligible, or used, for any gaming activity carried out under Public Law 100–497 (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).

(c)

Forest management

Any forest management activity that is carried out on the Council Creek land shall be managed in accordance with all applicable Federal laws.

(d)

Agreements

(1)

Memorandum of agreement for administrative access

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Tribe that secures existing administrative access by the Secretary to the Council Creek land.

(2)

Reciprocal right-of-way agreements

(A)

In general

On the date on which the agreement is entered into under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the Tribe all reciprocal right-of-way agreements to the Council Creek land in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act.

(B)

Continued access

Beginning on the date on which the Council Creek land is taken into trust under section 102, the Tribe shall continue the access provided by the agreements referred to in subparagraph (A) in perpetuity.

(e)

Land use planning requirements

Except as provided in subsection (c), once the Council Creek land is taken into trust under section 102, the Council Creek land shall not be subject to the land use planning requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or the Act of August 28, 1937 (43 U.S.C. 1181a et seq.).

105.

Land reclassification

(a)

Identification of Oregon and California railroad grant land

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary shall identify any Oregon and California Railroad grant land that is held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe under section 102.

(b)

Identification of public domain land

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall identify public domain land in the State of Oregon that—

(1)

is approximately equal in acreage and condition as the Oregon and California Railroad grant land identified under subsection (a); and

(2)

is located within the 18 western Oregon and California Railroad grant land counties (other than Klamath County, Oregon).

(c)

Maps

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and publish in the Federal Register one or more maps depicting the land identified in subsections (a) and (b).

(d)

Reclassification

(1)

In general

After providing an opportunity for public comment, the Secretary shall reclassify the land identified in subsection (b) as Oregon and California Railroad grant land.

(2)

Applicability

The Act of August 28, 1937 (43 U.S.C. 1181a et seq.), shall apply to land reclassified as Oregon and California Railroad grant land under paragraph (1).

II

Oregon Coastal Land Conveyance

201.

Definitions

In this title:

(1)

Confederated tribes

The term Confederated Tribes means the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.

(2)

Oregon coastal land

The term Oregon Coastal land means the approximately 14,742 acres of land, as generally depicted on the map entitled Oregon Coastal Land Conveyance and dated July 11, 2016.

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

202.

Land to be held in trust

(a)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights, including rights-of-way, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Oregon Coastal land, including any improvements located on the land, appurtenances to the land, and minerals on or in the land, including oil and gas, shall be—

(1)

held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Confederated Tribes; and

(2)

part of the reservation of the Confederated Tribes.

(b)

Survey

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a survey to establish the boundaries of the land taken into trust under subsection (a).

(c)

Effective date

Subsection (a) shall take effect on the day after the date on which the Secretary records the agreement entered into under section 204(d)(1).

203.

Map and legal description

(a)

In general

As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal description of the Oregon Coastal land with—

(1)

the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and

(2)

the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

(b)

Force and effect

The map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this title, except that the Secretary may correct any clerical or typographical errors in the map or legal description.

(c)

Public availability

The map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Secretary.

204.

Administration

(a)

In general

Unless expressly provided in this title, nothing in this title affects any right or claim of the Confederated Tribes existing on the date of enactment of this Act to any land or interest in land.

(b)

Prohibitions

(1)

Exports of unprocessed logs

Federal law (including regulations) relating to the export of unprocessed logs harvested from Federal land shall apply to any unprocessed logs that are harvested from the Oregon Coastal land taken into trust under section 202.

(2)

Non-permissible use of land

Any real property taken into trust under section 202 shall not be eligible, or used, for any gaming activity carried out under Public Law 100–497 (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).

(c)

Forest management

Any forest management activity that is carried out on the Oregon Coastal land shall be managed in accordance with all applicable Federal laws.

(d)

Agreements

(1)

Memorandum of agreement for administrative access

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Confederated Tribes that secures existing administrative access by the Secretary to the Oregon Coastal land and that provides for—

(A)

access for certain activities, including—

(i)

forest management;

(ii)

timber and rock haul;

(iii)

road maintenance;

(iv)

wildland fire protection and management;

(v)

cadastral surveys;

(vi)

wildlife, cultural, and other surveys; and

(vii)

law enforcement activities;

(B)

the management of the Oregon Coastal land that is acquired or developed under chapter 2003 of title 54, United States Code, consistent with section 200305(f)(3) of that title; and

(C)

the terms of public vehicular transit across the Oregon Coastal land to and from the Hult Log Storage Reservoir located in T. 15 S., R. 7 W., as generally depicted on the map described in section 201(2), subject to the requirement that if the Bureau of Land Management discontinues maintenance of the public recreation site known as Hult Reservoir, the terms of any agreement in effect on that date that provides for public vehicular transit to and from the Hult Log Storage Reservoir shall be void.

(2)

Reciprocal right-of-way agreements

(A)

In general

On the date on which the agreement is entered into under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the Confederated Tribes all reciprocal right-of-way agreements to the Oregon Coastal land in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.

(B)

Continued access

Beginning on the date on which the Oregon Coastal land is taken into trust under section 202, the Confederated Tribes shall continue the access provided by the reciprocal right-of-way agreements referred to in subparagraph (A) in perpetuity.

(e)

Land use planning requirements

Except as provided in subsection (c), once the Oregon Coastal land is taken into trust under section 202, the Oregon Coastal land shall not be subject to the land use planning requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or the Act of August 28, 1937 (43 U.S.C. 1181a et seq.).

205.

Land reclassification

(a)

Identification of Oregon and California railroad grant land

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary shall identify any Oregon and California Railroad grant land that is held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Confederated Tribes under section 202.

(b)

Identification of public domain land

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall identify public domain land in the State of Oregon that—

(1)

is approximately equal in acreage and condition as the Oregon and California Railroad grant land identified under subsection (a); and

(2)

is located within the 18 western Oregon and California Railroad grant land counties (other than Klamath County, Oregon).

(c)

Maps

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and publish in the Federal Register one or more maps depicting the land identified in subsections (a) and (b).

(d)

Reclassification

(1)

In general

After providing an opportunity for public comment, the Secretary shall reclassify the land identified in subsection (b) as Oregon and California Railroad grant land.

(2)

Applicability

The Act of August 28, 1937 (43 U.S.C. 1181a et seq.), shall apply to land reclassified as Oregon and California Railroad grant land under paragraph (1).

III

Amendments to Coquille Restoration Act

301.

Amendments to Coquille Restoration Act

Section 5(d) of the Coquille Restoration Act (Public Law 101–42; 103 Stat. 92, 110 Stat. 3009–537) is amended—

(1)

by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:

(5)

Management

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, shall manage the Coquille Forest in accordance with the laws pertaining to the management of Indian trust land.

(B)

Administration

(i)

Unprocessed logs

Unprocessed logs harvested from the Coquille Forest shall be subject to the same Federal statutory restrictions on export to foreign nations that apply to unprocessed logs harvested from Federal land.

(ii)

Sales of timber

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all sales of timber from land subject to this subsection shall be advertised, offered, and awarded according to competitive bidding practices, with sales being awarded to the highest responsible bidder.

;

(2)

by striking paragraph (9); and

(3)

by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (12) as paragraphs (9) through (11), respectively.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.