To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes
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The bill would let the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) sign leases of up to 99 years on their trust and reservation land, matching a leasing timeframe already available to some other tribes under federal law.
By extending the longer lease term, it would give the two Massachusetts tribes more flexibility to pursue long-term economic development, housing, or business agreements on their land.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the Long-Term Leasing Act of 1955 to add the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to the list of tribal lands eligible for leases of up to 99 years. Currently the law caps most tribal land leases at shorter terms unless a tribe is specifically named in the statute, as it does for certain other reservations.
The change is narrow: it only extends the maximum allowable lease term for these two tribes' land and does not itself authorize any specific lease, transfer land, or alter tribal governance or land status in any other way.
Key provisions
- 1Would amend the Long-Term Leasing Act to add the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) trust land to the list of lands eligible for leases up to 99 years
Who would be affected
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), both located in Massachusetts, along with any businesses, developers, or individuals who might enter into long-term leases with these tribes for housing, commercial, or economic development projects on their trust or reservation land.
Why it matters
Longer allowable lease terms can make tribal land more attractive for major investments, since lenders and developers often require lease terms long enough to justify financing large projects like housing or commercial development. Without this change, the tribes would remain limited to shorter lease terms available under current law.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Long-Term Leasing Act (Act of August 9, 1955; 25 U.S.C. 415(a)) (Section 1)
Inserts the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) trust land into the list of lands eligible for 99-year leases
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 681 would have no significant effect on the federal budget, with zero impact on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit over the 2026–2036 period.
CBO estimates that H.R. 681 would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending, revenues, or the deficit over the 2026–2036 scoring window. The bill would allow the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their trust land for up to 99 years (up from the current 25-year limit with one renewal option), with the Department of the Interior's approval; any lease proceeds would go to the tribes. Implementation costs to the federal government would be insignificant and subject to the availability of appropriated (discretionary) funds. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This bill authorizes the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years. Both tribes are located in Massachusetts.
Legislative subjects
Federal-Indian relations; Indian lands and resources rights; Land use and conservation; Massachusetts; Native Americans
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-449