October 3, 2025
Mr. Issa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Transfer of land into trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians
(a) In general
Subject to valid existing rights and the conditions described in subsection (d), the covered land is hereby taken into trust for the benefit of the Tribe.
(b) Administration
The land taken into trust under subsection (a) shall be—
(1)
part of the reservation of the Tribe; and
(2)
administered in accordance with the laws and regulations generally applicable to property held in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe.
(c) Termination of MOU
(1) In general
At least 45 days before termination of the MOU entered into under subsection (b)(3), the Tribe shall submit notice of the termination to—
(A)
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives;
(B)
the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
(C)
the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs; and
(D)
the members of Congress representing the area subject to the MOU.
(2) Report
The Tribe shall report any termination or violation of the MOU to the parties identified in paragraph (1), unless the violation or termination is due to the disestablishment of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve.
(d) Conditions
(1) In general
The land taken into trust under subsection (a) shall be—
(A)
subject to all valid liens, rights-of-way, reciprocal road rights-of-way agreements, licenses, leases, permits, and easements existing on the date of the enactment of this Act;
(B)
maintained as open space; and
(C)
used only for—
(i)
purposes consistent with the maintenance of the land as open space; and
(ii)
the protection, preservation, and maintenance of the archaeological, cultural, and wildlife resources on the land.
(2) Construction and maintenance
Nothing in this paragraph prohibits the construction or maintenance of utilities or structures that are—
(A)
consistent with the maintenance of the land taken into trust under subsection (a) as open space; and
(B)
constructed for the protection, preservation, and maintenance of the archaeological, cultural, and wildlife resources on the land.
(3) Prohibition on Gaming
The land taken into trust under subsection (a) shall not be used for any class II gaming or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (as those terms are defined in section 4 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 2703)).
(e) Rights and agreements
Nothing in this Act shall alter, or require the alteration of, any existing water rights or service agreements.
(f) Map on file
The Map shall be kept on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.
(g) Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Covered land
The term covered land means all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the approximately 1,261 acres of land in Riverside County, California, administered by the Bureau of Land Management and generally depicted as ___
on the Map.
(2) Map
The term Map means the map titled ___
, and dated ___.
(3) MOU
The term MOU means a memorandum of understanding that applies to the covered land.
(4) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(5) Tribe
The term Tribe means the Pechanga Band of Indians.