Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2026
Expands land eligible for transfer to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and reaffirms non-Tribal members’ recreation rights.
In the House Natural Resources Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 14 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Federal law provides for transferring certain land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. This bill would add some Forest Service land in Cass County to the land eligible for transfer and allow the Tribe and the Secretary to agree on acre-for-acre substitutes. It also reaffirms non-Tribal members’ hunting, fishing, and recreation rights and requires public engagement.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Adds land eligible for transfer
The bill adds certain land managed by the Forest Service in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, to the Federal land eligible for transfer: land Bureau of Indian Affairs records show was sold without the unanimous consent of its rightful landowners. It also revises a finding to say the Tribe does not intend to immediately change the use of the Federal land.
- Allows substitute land by agreement
If the Secretary and the Tribe agree, alternative National Forest System land in Cass County may be substituted acre for acre for parcels otherwise transferred. The selection should avoid inholdings and, as much as practicable, favor land near existing Leech Lake trust lands or land culturally important to the Tribe; transfers may occur as land is identified and surveys are completed.
- Reaffirms non-Tribal recreation rights
Congress reaffirms that hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of non-Tribal members remain unchanged under the existing restoration law and these amendments.
- Requires public engagement
In carrying out the amendments, the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service Chief, must provide public engagement and comment as required by applicable laws and regulations.
The bill addresses land in the Chippewa National Forest that Bureau of Indian Affairs records show was sold without the unanimous consent of its rightful landowners. It would make that land eligible for transfer under the restoration law while allowing the Tribe and the Secretary to choose substitute land by agreement.
The bill also states that the amendments do not change non-Tribal members’ hunting, fishing, and recreation rights, and calls for public engagement in implementation.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026HOUSESEP 24, 2026By Rep. McCollum with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Natural Resources
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeSEP 24, 2026NATURAL RESOURCES NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 14 daysNo hearing yet
- 14 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 14, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. McCollum’s record: sponsored 13 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Angie CraigD-MN-2ORIGINAL
- Kelly MorrisonD-MN-3OCT 5, 2026
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Discussion
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