WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall was joined today by Senator Jeff Bingaman in introducing legislation that would allow Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo to offer long-term leases for lands held in trust. The proposal is the Senate companion to legislation introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján with the support of Representative Martin Heinrich.
The bill would authorize leases of up to 99 years for lands held in trust for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in order to increase the ability of the pueblo to attract businesses to tribal lands, and expand tribal self-determination. Under current law, leases may extend for a maximum of 25 years. A longer lease term would give the pueblo additional flexibility to work with businesses that require a land lease to have a presence in the area.
"As we continue working to create jobs across New Mexico we must also remember the special responsibility we have to Indian Country, where the economy has been suffering since before the economic downturn," said Udall, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "This legislation will give the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo additional tools to attract more businesses to invest and create jobs on tribal land."
"It's my hope that this new leasing flexibility would help Ohkay Owingeh develop new economic opportunities that lead to good jobs for Pueblo residents," Bingaman said.
The bill will be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs, of which Udall is a member.
