North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill allows North Dakota to trade land it owns inside Indian reservations for other federal land located elsewhere in the state. Currently, the state owns various "trust lands" that are scattered inside the borders of Tribal lands, which can make managing that land difficult for both the state and the Tribes.
• If the state gives up its land inside a reservation, the federal government will give the state a different piece of land of equal value. The land the state gives up can then be placed into a "trust" for the local Tribe, meaning the Tribe gains control over more of its traditional homeland.
• This swap helps solve a long-standing problem where different groups own small, disconnected pieces of land in the same area. By trading these plots, the state can get land that is easier to use for its own needs, while Tribes can consolidate their territory and manage their resources more effectively.
• People who currently have permits to use this land—like farmers or ranchers with grazing leases—are protected. The bill requires that any existing leases or permits stay in place for the rest of their current term, ensuring that local businesses aren't suddenly kicked off the land they rely on.
• To make sure the trade is fair, independent experts will appraise the land to ensure the values are roughly the same. If one piece of land is worth slightly more than the other, the difference can be settled with a cash payment or tracked on a "ledger" to be balanced out in a future land trade.

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