To take certain land into trust for the benefit of the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians.
Summary
H.R. 6917, if enacted, would take approximately 3,156 acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management into trust for the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians. The land would become part of the Tribe's reservation. The bill also requires a survey to establish the boundaries of the land and grants a right-of-way for renewable energy transmission.
Expected Effects
The Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians would gain control over the specified land, but gaming would be prohibited on the land. A renewable energy transmission corridor would be established. The bill also addresses water rights and reaffirms an existing intergovernmental agreement.
Potential Benefits
- Provides the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians with greater control over their ancestral lands.
- Supports renewable energy development through the establishment of a transmission corridor.
- Clarifies water rights for the Tribe.
- Reaffirms an existing intergovernmental agreement between the Tribe and the City of Las Vegas.
- Repeals a section of a previous act, potentially streamlining land management processes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust, which could limit economic development opportunities for the Tribe.
- Grants a right-of-way for energy transmission, potentially impacting the Tribe's land use options.
- The transfer of land from federal control could be opposed by some groups.
- Potential disputes over water rights, despite the bill's attempt to clarify them.
- The bill does not explicitly address potential environmental impacts of the renewable energy transmission corridor.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the federal government's trust responsibility to Native American tribes, which has been recognized through treaties and court decisions. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Indian Commerce Clause) grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with Indian tribes. The transfer of land into trust and the regulation of activities on that land fall under this power. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).