[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 149 (Thursday, September 11, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S6578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Schiff):
  S. 2796. A bill to provide for a land exchange in San Bernardino 
County, California, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian 
Affairs.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Yuhaaviatam 
of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act. This bill would transfer 1.475 
acres of land from the Forest Service to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel 
Nation in fee in exchange for 1,460 acres of fee land the Tribe already 
owns.
  The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, formerly known as the San 
Manuel Band of Indians, is a federally recognized Native American Tribe 
of Serrano people. Their reservation is located in San Bernardino 
County, CA, and their people have lived in the San Bernardino Mountains 
and surrounding areas for thousands of years. Today, the Tribe is known 
for its strong commitment to cultural preservation and philanthropy.
  For years, the Tribe has been working toward a land exchange with the 
Forest Service, which would enable them to acquire lands that were once 
home to Tribal village known today as Arrowhead Springs. The Tribe has 
gone through the administrative process to transfer this land, but it 
has been expensive and time--consuming. That is why I am proud to 
introduce this legislation to facilitate this land transfer and allow 
the Tribe to manage their ancestral lands.
  I want to thank Senator Schiff for cosponsoring this legislation, and 
I also want to thank Republican Congressman Jay Obernolte for 
introducing companion legislation in the House. I hope my colleagues 
will join me in advancing this bill in the Senate.

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