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Congress·In Progress·2 months ago

Biden-backed bill locks in tribal control of 40 acres at Wounded Knee as a protected memorial site

Also known as: Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(2)
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Homeowner
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Tribal Member
Helps

State Impacts

South DakotaSD
Mixed

The law applies to about 40 acres at Wounded Knee in Oglala Lakota County on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Once Interior finalizes restricted fee status, the parcel is not subject to state/local taxation and is expressly under the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s civil and criminal jurisdiction, while existing recorded easements and utility agreements remain in effect.

Key Points

  • This directs the Interior Department to finish the paperwork so about 40 acres at the Wounded Knee Massacre site in South Dakota stays owned by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
  • The land would be treated as part of the Pine Ridge Reservation, meaning the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s rules and law enforcement authority apply there in many day-to-day situations.
  • The land can’t be sold or transferred unless both Congress and the Tribes agree, and state or local governments can’t put property taxes on it.
  • The Tribes can use the land for the memorial and sacred-site purposes they agreed to in a 2022 deal, and the federal government won’t have to approve each land use.
  • Existing utility lines, easements, and service agreements stay in place, and the land can’t be used for casino-style gambling.
Civil RightsCriminal JusticeHousing

Milestones

17 milestones27 actions
Dec 19, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-61.

Dec 19, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-61.

Dec 19, 2025

Signed by President.

Dec 19, 2025

Signed by President.

Dec 18, 2025House

Presented to President.

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedProceduralJan 22, 2025

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

416
0
Democrat
200 – 0 · 15
Republican
216 – 0 · 2
View full roll call

Related News

6 articles
KOTA-TV (ABC Rapid City)·3 months ago

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial legislation passes in the Senate

Local report on Senate passage of the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, sending it to the president for signature; explains restricted-fee status and tribal ownership.

C+
The Dallas Express·2 months ago

Trump Signs Wounded Knee Memorial And Sacred Site Act Into Law

Article summarizes the law’s provisions: restricted-fee status, tax exemption, tribal jurisdiction, DOI survey/legal corrections timeline, existing easements preserved, and gaming prohibition.

R+
Yahoo News·2 months ago

Trump Signs Wounded Knee Memorial And Sacred Site Act Into Law

Syndicated write-up describing the act’s restricted-fee designation for the Wounded Knee site, prohibition on sale without consent, tax exemption, tribal jurisdiction, and gaming ban.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

Bill NumberHR 165
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionPresented to President.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.