Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025
The legislation is significant as it officially recognizes the historical ties and ongoing relationship of the Pit River Tribe with the Four Corners area. Once the land is taken into trust, it will be managed under federal regulations applicable to tribal lands, thereby solidifying the Pit River Tribe's sovereignty and governance over the area. However, it also explicitly prohibits the use of the land for certain types of gaming as defined under federal law—specifically class II and class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This element represents a significant determination regarding economic activities the tribe can pursue on its new lands.
House Bill 2400, known as the Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025, proposes the transfer of specific federal land in California into trust for the benefit of the Pit River Tribe. This act acknowledges the tribe's ancestral connection to the land known as Four Corners, encompassing approximately 583.79 acres. The bill stipulates that, notwithstanding existing rights, this federal land—and a fee land parcel of approximately 40.18 acres—shall be taken into trust by the Secretary of the Interior, thus integrating the land into the tribe's reservation effectively and affirming their land rights.
Although the bill is aimed at benefiting the Pit River Tribe and honoring their historical connections, it could generate discussions about land use and indigenous rights. Opponents may argue about the implications of federal oversight in tribal land management or question the restrictions placed on the use of the land for gaming. These discussions could lead to broader debates about the rights of indigenous tribes and the complications that arise when federal laws intersect with tribal sovereignty.