H.R. 8483: Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2026, aims to take specific parcels of land in California into trust for the benefit of the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians. Here are the main points outlined in the bill:

Land Transfer

The bill transfers administrative jurisdiction of three specific parcels of land to the Secretary of the Interior:

• Parcel 1: Approximately 160 acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
• Parcel 2: Approximately 160 acres identified by the San Diego County Assessor’s Map.
• Parcel 3: Approximately 516.21 acres, also identified by the San Diego County Assessor’s Map.

These lands will be held in trust for the Barona Tribe, which means they will be managed according to laws that govern properties held in trust for Indian Tribes.

Administration of the Land

The lands taken into trust will:

• Become part of the Tribe's reservation.
• Be administered according to applicable laws and regulations for trust properties.

Conditions on the Land

The lands will be subject to several conditions:

• They must respect all existing rights such as liens, easements, and public access agreements that were in place before the enactment of this bill.
• The public retains rights to recreational and scientific use of the land, with reasonable rules set by the Tribe.
• Rights-of-way for emergency access will be maintained to ensure safety operations like wildfire suppression and search and rescue.

Prohibitions

The use of these lands for any class II or class III gaming, as defined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, is explicitly prohibited.

Water Rights

The bill states that it will not change any existing water rights or agreements that are already in place.

Definitions

Key terms used in the bill include:

• Covered land: Refers to all rights and interests of the United States in the specified parcels.
• Secretary: This refers to the Secretary of the Interior.
• Tribe: Refers specifically to the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians.

Relevant Companies

None found