Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee advanced the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act, legislation she introduced to streamline land exchanges and unlock greater development of North Dakota’s state-owned energy resources.
“North Dakota has thousands of acres of state-owned land and minerals inside reservation boundaries that are largely inaccessible today because of outdated federal law,” Fedorchak said. “This legislation offers a practical solution—allowing equal-value land exchanges that reduce fragmentation, support tribal sovereignty, and unlock responsible energy development. I’m grateful to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman for advancing my bill through the committee. I look forward to getting it across the finish line for the benefit of our state.”
“H.R. 2252 is a win for the state of North Dakota and Tribes alike. I want to thank Representative Fedorchak for leading this legislation to allow for commonsense land exchanges, which will generate revenue to fund education and other public purposes in the state while bolstering rural and tribal economies,” Chairman Westerman said.
The North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act authorizes North Dakota to exchange state-owned lands and minerals located within tribal reservations for federal lands and minerals of equal value elsewhere in the state. These exchanges would help consolidate land ownership, streamline responsible resource development, and strengthen funding for North Dakota schools.
Currently, North Dakota holds more than 130,000 acres of mineral rights and over 31,000 surface acres within tribal reservations, where fragmented ownership and federal restrictions have limited development. Existing law does not provide an effective pathway for the state and federal government to exchange these lands.
The North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act addresses this challenge by authorizing equal-value exchanges between North Dakota and the Department of the Interior to consolidate land and mineral ownership. The legislation would:
- Enable North Dakota to access lands and minerals promised at statehood to support education funding and other public purposes.
- Provide tribes greater ownership and consolidation of lands within reservation boundaries.
- Reduce fragmented ownership that currently complicates energy and resource development.
All exchanges would be conducted using federal and professional appraisal standards, ensuring equal value transactions while protecting existing rights. The legislation explicitly preserves Indian treaty rights and does not impact National Grasslands.
The North Dakota delegation previously secured unanimous Senate passage of the legislation in the 118th Congress. Today’s committee markup marks another key step toward advancing the bill through the House and ultimately sending it to the President’s desk.
