Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2026. It amends the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act to provide for the transfer of additional Federal land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Specifically, it includes certain land managed by the Secretary through the Chief of the Forest Service in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, that records show was sold without the unanimous consent of the rightful landowners. It also allows for alternative National Forest System land to be substituted on an acre-for-acre basis through an agreement between the Secretary and the Tribe. Furthermore, the bill reaffirms hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of non-Tribal members, and requires public engagement and comment during implementation.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill transfers additional federal land back to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, addressing past land issues and returning culturally important lands.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill explicitly requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for public engagement and comment when implementing the land transfer provisions.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill ensures that hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of local non-Tribal members in Cass County remain unchanged.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(b) of the bill adds provisions for the transfer of additional Federal land located in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, which records maintained by the Bureau of Indian Affairs show was sold without the unanimous consent of the rightful landowners. This could be seen as positive for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe by returning lands associated with past land issues.
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Section 2(b) of the bill allows the Secretary and the Tribe to enter into an agreement to substitute alternative National Forest System land in Cass County, Minnesota, on an acre-for-acre basis to avoid in-holdings and give preference to land adjacent or near existing trust lands and culturally important lands. This provision helps shape land transfers practically and thoughtfully for the Tribe.
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Section 2(c) of the bill reaffirms the applicability of section 97A.151 of the Minnesota Statutes and its settlement agreement. This ensures that the hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of non-Tribal members remain unchanged, protecting the outdoor activities of the broader public.
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Section 2(d) of the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to provide for public engagement and comment in accordance with applicable laws when implementing the amendments. This ensures that everyday citizens have a voice and can participate in the process.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill transfers additional federal land back to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, addressing past land issues and returning culturally important lands. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill ensures that hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of local non-Tribal members in Cass County remain unchanged.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill allows for acre-for-acre land substitutions to avoid in-holdings and preference lands adjacent to existing trust and culturally important lands. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill provides for public engagement and comment during the implementation of land transfers in the Chippewa National Forest. Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation transfers federal land in Cass County, Minnesota, to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, supporting local tribal and community development.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill explicitly requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for public engagement and comment when implementing the land transfer provisions.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Kelly MorrisonDemocrat · Minnesota