Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) announced that the House Natural Resources Committee has advanced the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act, a bill she introduced to facilitate land exchanges and promote development of state-owned energy resources in North Dakota.
“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of acres of state-owned land and minerals inside reservation boundaries that are largely inaccessible today because of outdated federal law,” Fedorchak said.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.”
Chairman Bruce Westerman commented on the legislation’s progress: “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.”
The proposed act would authorize North Dakota to exchange its state-owned lands and minerals located within tribal reservations for federal lands and minerals elsewhere in the state, provided they are of equal value. The goal is to consolidate ownership, make resource development more efficient, and strengthen funding sources for local schools.
Currently, North Dakota controls over 130,000 acres of mineral rights and more than 31,000 surface acres within tribal reservations. Development on these lands has been limited by fragmented ownership structures and federal regulations. There is currently no effective legal process allowing these types of land exchanges between the state and federal government.
The act aims to resolve this issue by permitting equal-value exchanges with oversight from professional appraisers using federal standards. All existing rights would be protected during these transactions, Indian treaty rights would remain intact, and National Grasslands would not be affected.
According to Fedorchak’s official website, she engages with North Dakotans through forums designed for virtual discussions about federal matters. She also prioritizes policies focused on energy affordability, reliability, sustainability, security—especially regarding domestic production—and environmental stewardship as part of her efforts toward economic growth (source). Her office provides various constituent services including assistance with federal agencies as well as outreach programs (source).
Previously, similar legislation passed unanimously in the Senate during the 118th Congress. The recent committee markup moves it closer toward consideration by the full House.
