# Understanding the Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act

This bill is about giving Native American tribes more say in how federal public lands are managed. Right now, when the federal government makes decisions about public lands—like national forests, grasslands, and other government-owned property—tribes often have limited input even though these lands may be sacred, historically important, or essential to their communities. This bill aims to change that by requiring the federal government to give tribes a real seat at the table when making decisions about these lands.

The practical effect is that tribes would have stronger legal standing to participate in planning and decision-making processes for federal lands. Instead of just being consulted as an afterthought, tribes could have more meaningful involvement in how these lands are used, protected, and managed. This could affect everything from hunting and fishing rights to protecting sacred sites, managing natural resources, and ensuring tribal interests are considered before major projects move forward. For tribes, this means having more control over lands that matter to their culture and survival. For others who use public lands—hunters, hikers, businesses, or local communities—it means tribal perspectives would be factored into decisions that might affect access or use of those areas.

The bill essentially tries to level the playing field between tribal governments and federal agencies when it comes to public land management. Instead of tribes having to fight for recognition of their rights and interests, they would have a clearer legal framework to participate as equal partners in these important decisions.

Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act

Heinrich, Martin

Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act This bill addresses tribal interests in the disposal and management of public land. Specifically, the bill prohibits the federal government from disposing of public land or National Forest System land unless the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA) determines, through consultation with any interested Indian tribe, that such disposal would not impact the rights and interests of any interested tribe and would not impair access to a reservation. Interested Indian tribe means an Indian tribe with (1) historic, precontact, cultural, or religious connection to a cultural site located on the tract of public land; (2) a former reservation located on the tract of public land; or (3) treaty rights or other reserved rights associated with the tract of public land. Interior and USDA must, prior to conducting a sale of a tract of public land, notify all tribes of the availability of land for sale. Further, Interior and USDA must sell the tract of land to an interested Indian tribe that submits a bid at fair market value. Land acquired by an interested tribe shall be taken into trust by Interior for the benefit of the tribe. Additionally, the bill revises various public land provisions, including to (1) add the interests of tribes to the list of considerations for land exchanges, and (2) authorize tribes to acquire land for recreational and other public purposes. The bill also requires each public land advisory board to include at least one representative of an interested Indian tribe.