Obama Signs Bill To Expedite Tribal Development

Legislation that is expected to spur badly needed housing development on reservations, and wind and solar energy projects as well, has been signed into law by President Barack Obama.

 

 

 

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Legislation that is expected to spur badly needed housing development on reservations, and wind and solar energy projects as well, has been signed into law by President Barack Obama.

The HEART ACT, which Obama signed on Monday, helps tribes to approve trust land leases directly, rather than waiting for approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Navajo Nation already has that authority.

The legislation was sponsored by Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico.

It's expected to open the door to badly needed housing development on reservations, as well as wind and solar energy projects that tribes have been eager to launch.

Land on American Indian reservations cannot be bought and sold because it's held in trust by the federal government.

Previously, if a tribe or tribe member wanted to build a house or business, the Interior Department had to approve a "lease'' of the land or mortgages.

That process sometimes took years.

(KFGO file photo)

 

AP

   

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