California
Senate Advances the Pit River Land Transfer Act for Northern California Tribal Land Trust
Content Files PDF XML TEXT Metadata download Descriptive Metadata (MODS) Preservation Metadata (PREMIS) All Content and Metadata files, including granules ZIP
Last updated:
Key points
- The Pit River Land Transfer Act (HR 2400) would place approximately 624 acres of land into a federal trust for the Pit River Tribe.
- The bill successfully passed the House of Representatives in late 2025 and has advanced to the Senate Legislative Calendar.
- The legislation explicitly bans all commercial gaming and casino activities on the newly transferred reservation land.
NewsWK — Northern California communities are watching a major shift in federal land management. Congress is now moving closer to finalizing a significant property transfer. The U.S. Senate recently placed a bipartisan bill on its legislative calendar to return ancestral lands to local tribal control.
Why it matters
This legislative move affects local land ownership, federal forest management, and tribal sovereignty in Northern California. By transferring federal acreage into a trust, the bill permanently alters land use rules. However, it also protects local interests by strictly banning any future casino development on the property.
What is the Pit River Land Transfer Act?
The Pit River Land Transfer Act, also known as HR 2400, is a federal bill. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to take about 624 total acres of land into trust. This transfer benefits the Pit River Tribe by expanding their reservation boundaries in Northern California.
The package includes 584 acres of U.S. Forest Service land at the Four Corners site Pit River Tribe ancestral area. It also adds 40 acres of existing tribal fee land. The tribe plans to use this property for cultural preservation and a public interpretive center. Crucially, the legislation prohibits any gaming activities under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
How will the Pit River Tribe land transfer California legislation progress through Congress?
The bipartisan legislation has successfully cleared several major hurdles in both chambers of Congress. Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) first introduced the bill in March 2025. The House of Representatives passed it later that year, and the Senate now prepares for a final vote.
The bill’s legislative path includes several key milestones:
- March 2025: Representative LaMalfa introduced the bill in the House.
- December 2025: The House passed the bill by a voice vote.
- August 2026: The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered the bill favorably reported.
- September 2026: The Senate placed the bill on its legislative calendar.
Meanwhile, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff lead the companion effort in the Senate.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
Related: House Resolution 1499 Clears Way for Critical Votes on Mining, Higher Education, and Maritime Rules
Related: Study Examines Women on Parole Mental Health and Reentry Crises Across the US
See a typo? Report it here.
