Crow Revenue Act
Crow Revenue Act
Plain Language Summary
# Crow Revenue Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Crow Revenue Act proposes a three-way land and mineral exchange involving the federal government, the Crow Tribe of Montana, and a private family trust (the Hope Family Trust). Under the bill, the federal government would give up a coal lease at the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup, Montana. In return, the Hope Family Trust would transfer about 4,660 acres of mineral rights located on the Crow Indian Reservation to the tribe, while the federal government would give the Hope Family Trust about 4,530 acres of mineral and 940 acres of surface land in Musselshell County.
Before the exchange occurs, the Crow Tribe and Hope Family Trust must agree on how to share revenues from developing these minerals. **Who It Affects:** The bill directly affects the Crow Tribe of Montana, the Hope Family Trust, the federal Department of the Interior, and the current operator of the Bull Mountains Mine (Signal Peak Energy). Indirectly, it may affect residents of the affected Montana counties and communities that depend on mining activity. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill (S 239) is pending in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced by Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Crow Revenue ActThis bill addresses the exchange of mineral interests in Montana involving the federal government, the Crow Tribe of Montana, and a private party.Specifically, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to accept the relinquishment of a specified federal coal lease associated with the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup, Montana (the current operator of the mine is Signal Peak Energy); the Joe and Barbara Hope Mineral Trust (Hope Family Trust) to convey approximately 4,660 acres of subsurface mineral interests located within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation in Big Horn County, Montana, to the tribe; and Interior to convey approximately 4,530 acres of subsurface mineral interests and 940 acres of surface interests located in Musselshell County, Montana, to the Hope Family Trust. Prior to these conveyances, the tribe must notify Interior that the tribe and the Hope Family Trust have agreed on a revenue-sharing formula for the development of the mineral and surface interests in Musselshell County, Montana.The mineral interests conveyed by the Hope Family Trust to the tribe shall be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe, upon the tribe's request. These mineral interests shall not be subject to state or local taxation.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.