[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S1087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Ms. Butler):
  S. 3857. A bill to take certain land in the State of California into 
trust for the benefit of the Jamul Indian Village of California, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Jamul Indian 
Village Land Transfer Act.
  The Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act would place four parcels 
of approximately 172 acres of land already owned in fee by the Jamul 
Indian Village into trust by the United States for the benefit of the 
Tribe.
  The four parcels of land in the bill would not be used for any class 
II or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
  Over time, Jamul's ancestral lands have diminished from over 640 
acres to just 6 acres, which now comprise the Tribe's entire trust land 
base. This 6-acre reservation is one of the smallest reservations in 
the country.
  In 2005, Jamul Tribal members voluntarily moved off of the 
reservation in order to allow the Tribe to pursue economic development, 
build a casino, and become self-sufficient and less reliant on the 
Federal Government.
  The Tribe has worked hard to maximize the use of its 6-acre 
reservation. Jamul opened a casino in 2006 and is working towards the 
opening of an adjacent hotel next year. Once the hotel is complete, the 
casino and hotel will occupy the entire Tribal reservation.
  This legislation would place additional acres into trust for the 
benefit of the Tribe, allowing Jamul to build a true homeland and bring 
their members back to the reservation. On the largest parcel covered by 
the bill, Jamul plans to develop housing for their Tribal members so 
they can create a true homeland, as well as use the land for 
administrative offices, a health clinic, a childcare center, 
educational services, a community center, law enforcement offices, and 
other community resources for Tribal members.
  Another parcel contains the only physical access road to the Tribe's 
reservation, and the fourth parcel contains the Tribe's historical 
church and cemetery.
  I am proud to work with the Jamul Indian Village to introduce this 
bill that would enhance Tribal community development, preserve a sacred 
site, and improve economic development opportunities that will 
positively impact the Tribes' members and culture for generations to 
come. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the Jamul 
Indian Village Land Transfer Act in the Senate as quickly as possible.

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