The House voted Wednesday to pass two Indian land bills.

H.R.4445, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act, clarifies a land and jurisdiction issue for the Indian Pueblo Council Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which was placed in trust by act of Congress in 1976. The bill basically addresses a state court decision that would otherwise force Indian-owned businesses at the center to pay state taxes.

The bill states that the land where the center is located is considered Indian Country. It further states that the All Indian Pueblo Council, who own and operate the center, cannot use any of the land for gaming.

The House passed the bill by a vote of 411-0 [Roll Call].

H.R.1554, the Fountainhead Property Land Transfer Act, places land in trust for the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma. The land is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers so an act of Congress is required.

The bill was amended to prohibit the tribe from gaming on the 18 acres at issue. An earlier version left the door open for the tribe to seek a two-part determination for a casino.

The House passed the bill by a vote of 421-1 [Roll Call]. Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Alabama) was the lone dissenter.

Neither bill has a Senate version at this point.

Get the Story:
U.S. House OKs sale of Fountainhead land to Creek Nation (The Tulsa World 7/1)

Committee Markup:
Full Committee Markup (June 16, 2010)

Committee Hearing:
'Full Committee Legislative Hearing On H.R. 4445, H.R. 1554 And H.R. 2340 (April 21, 2010)

Related Stories:
Creek Nation land-into-trust bill doesn't include gaming ban (6/17)
House Resources Committee markup for Indian, Native bills (6/16)
House Resource Committee markup includes three land bills (6/11)
Audio: House Resources Committee hearing on land bills (4/21)
Witness list for House Resources hearing on Indian bills (4/20)
House Resources Committee to take up Pueblo land bill (4/19)