What This Bill Does
This law transfers about 17.264 acres of land in Pierce County, Washington into federal trust (legal ownership held by the U.S. government for benefit of a tribe) for the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation. The land becomes part of the tribe's reservation and is managed under federal laws that apply to Native American tribal property.
Who It Affects
The Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation. The United States government (as trustee of the land).
Key Provisions
- The U.S. government takes approximately 17.264 acres of land owned by the Puyallup Tribe in Pierce County, Washington into federal trust for the tribe's benefit (Sec. 2(a))
- The land becomes part of the Puyallup Tribe's reservation and is managed under federal laws that apply to property held in trust for Indian tribes (Sec. 2(c))
- The U.S. government is not responsible for any environmental contamination (pollution or hazardous materials) that occurred on the land before it was taken into trust (Sec. 2(d))
- The land cannot be used for class II gaming or class III gaming as defined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Sec. 2(e))
What Changes
The specified land parcels change from private fee land (owned outright) owned by the Puyallup Tribe to federal trust land held by the United States for the tribe's benefit.
Important Definitions
None defined in bill text.
138 STAT. 860
PUBLIC LAW 118–48—APR. 19, 2024
Public Law 118–48
118th Congress
An Act
To take certain land in the State of Washington into trust for the benefit of
the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land
Into Trust Confirmation Act of 2023’’.
SEC. 2. LAND TO BE TAKEN INTO TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF THE PUYALLUP RESERVATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The approximately 17.264 acres of land
owned in fee by the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation
in Pierce County, Washington, and described in subsection (b) is
hereby taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of
the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation.
(b) LAND DESCRIPTIONS.—
(1) PARCEL 1.—Lots 1 to 4, inclusive, Block 85, Map of
Tacoma Tidelands, as surveyed and platted by the Board of
Appraisers of Tide and Shore Lands for Pierce County,
according to Plat filed for record on September 14, 1895, in
the Office of the County Auditor, in Tacoma, Pierce County,
Washington.
(2) PARCEL 2.—Lots 5 to 9, inclusive, Block 85, Map of
Tacoma Tidelands, as surveyed and platted by the Board of
Appraisers of Tide and Shore Lands for Pierce County,
according to Plat filed for record on September 14, 1895, in
the Office of the County Auditor, in Tacoma, Pierce County,
Washington.
(3) PARCEL 3.—Parcel A of City of Tacoma Boundary Line
Adjustment MPD2011–40000166230, recorded October 12,
2011,
under
Pierce
County
Auditor
Recording
No.
201110125009, as corrected by Affidavit of Minor Correction
of Map Recorded September 25, 2012, under Pierce County
Auditor Recording No. 201209250440.
(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Land taken into trust under subsection
(a) shall be—
(1) part of the Reservation of the Puyallup Tribe of the
Puyallup Reservation; and
(2) administered in accordance with the laws and regula-
tions generally applicable to property held in trust by the
United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe.
(d) ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY.—Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the United States shall not be liable for any
Puyallup Tribe of
Indians Land
Into Trust
Confirmation Act
of 2023.
Apr. 19, 2024
[S. 382]
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138 STAT. 861
PUBLIC LAW 118–48—APR. 19, 2024
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 382 (H.R. 929):
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 118–423 (Comm. on Natural Resources) accompanying H.R.
929.
SENATE REPORTS: No. 118–130 (Comm. on Indian Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 169 (2023): Dec. 14, considered and passed Senate.
Vol. 170 (2024): Apr. 9, 11, considered and passed House.
Æ
environmental contamination that occurred on the land described
in subsection (b) on or before the date on which that land is
taken into trust under subsection (a).
(e) GAMING PROHIBITED.—Land taken into trust under sub-
section (a) shall not be used for any class II gaming or class
III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C.
2701 et seq.) (as those terms are defined in section 4 of that
Act (25 U.S.C. 2703)).
Approved April 19, 2024.
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