S. 5265 – Reading Mode

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5265

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 25, 2024

Ms. Sinema (for herself and Mr. Kelly) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To take certain land into trust for the benefit of the Tonto Apache Tribe, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Tonto Apache Land Transfer Act.

Tonto Apache Tribe land transfer

(a)

In general

As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer administrative jurisdiction over the National Forest System land described in subsection (b) to the Secretary of the Interior, who is authorized and directed to take and hold that land in trust for the benefit of the Tonto Apache Tribe.

(b)

National forest system land described

The land referred to in subsections (a) and (d) is, in T. 10 N., R. 10 E., Gila and Salt River Meridian, Gila County, Arizona—

(1)

20 acres in the S1/2 SW1/4 SW1/4 of sec. 9;

(2)

10 acres in the SW1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 of sec. 9;

(3)

40 acres in the NE1/4 SE1/4 of sec. 10;

(4)

40 acres in the SE1/4 SE1/4 of sec. 10;

(5)

640 acres in sec. 15;

(6)

640 acres in sec. 16;

(7)

640 acres in sec. 17;

(8)

320 acres in the N1/2 of sec. 20;

(9)

20 acres in the N1/2 NW1/4 SW1/4 of sec. 20;

(10)

20 acres in the N1/2 NE1/4 SW1/4 of sec. 20;

(11)

40 acres in the NW1/4 SE1/4 of sec. 20;

(12)

40 acres in the NE1/4 SE1/4 of sec. 20;

(13)

40 acres in the SE1/4 SE1/4 of sec 20;

(14)

20 acres in the N1/2 SW1/4 SE1/4 of sec. 20;

(15)

320 acres in the N1/2 of sec. 21;

(16)

160 acres in the SW1/4 of sec. 21;

(17)

40 acres in the NW1/4 SE1/4 of sec. 21; and

(18)

10 acres in the NW1/4 SW1/4 SE1/4 of sec. 21.

(c)

Reservation status

The land taken into trust under subsection (a) shall be—

(1)

part of the Reservation of the Tonto Apache Tribe; and

(2)

administered in accordance with the laws and regulations generally applicable to land held in trust by the United States for an Indian Tribe.

(d)

Withdrawal

Subject to all valid existing rights, including easements, rights-of-way, contracts, and management agreements, the land described in subsection (b) is withdrawn from all forms of—

(1)

entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;

(2)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(3)

disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.