04.11.24

Legislation to Spur Economic Development for Puyallup Tribe Heads to President Biden’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), and Representatives Derek Kilmer (D, WA-06) and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10) celebrated the House passage of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land into Trust Act. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Act (S. 382) places more than 17 acres of land currently owned by the Puyallup Tribe into trust, restoring part of the Tribe’s ancestral homeland and facilitating new economic development and job creation opportunities at the Port of Tacoma and on the Tacoma waterfront.

“Legislation helping the Puyallup Tribe create jobs in South Puget Sound is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The Puyallup Tribe is an economic force and taking this land into trust allows the Tribe to continue to diversify its economy within its traditional lands on Commencement Bay,” said Sen. Cantwell.

“Bringing this land into trust will help the Puyallup Tribe pursue economic development on the Tacoma waterfront, expand critical infrastructure, and open up tax benefits for the entire community—not to mention that this bill will also restore part of the Tribe’s ancestral homeland, which matters a great deal,” said Sen. Murray. “I was proud to work with my colleagues on this legislation and am thrilled that our bill is now headed to President Biden’s desk. Ensuring that Tribal communities have what they need to grow and thrive is an important responsibility of the federal government and something I will always take seriously.”

“This legislation is a big deal because it will help restore the Puyallup Tribe’s homelands – a place that holds deep cultural and historical significance for the Puyallup people,” said Rep. Kilmer. “It’s about enabling the Puyallup Tribe to further diversify and expand economic opportunities and to spur job creation at the Port of Tacoma and along the Tacoma waterfront – a vision of prosperity that benefits not only the Tribe but the entire South Puget Sound region.

“This bill will create jobs, promote economic growth, and increase infrastructure investments for the Puyallup Tribe and the region," said Rep. Strickland. "We must honor treaty rights and help the Puyallup Tribe advance their vision for a vibrant, healthy, and working Puget Sound."

“I want to thank Senator Cantwell, Senator Murray, Congresswoman Strickland and Congressman Kilmer for their tireless support of the Puyallup Tribe and their work on the Puyallup Land into Trust Confirmation Act, S. 382.  This Act will restore the Tribe’s place along Commencement Bay and will expand the Tribe’s presence along the Blair Waterway.   It is truly historic for the Tribe. I also want to thank the leadership of both the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.  This legislation is truly bipartisan and represents the best of our Nation.  The Puyallup Tribe looks forward to working with our partners to continue contributing to the region’s economy in exciting ways and this legislation is a key part of these plans,” said Chairman Bill Sterud, Chairman of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

The four Members of Congress first introduced the legislation in September 2022, in the 117th Congress. In February 2023, Sens. Cantwell and Murray reintroduced the legislation in the Senate, while Reps. Kilmer and Strickland reintroduced it in the House. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent in December 2023. 

Land is taken into trust when land is transferred to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to be held in trust for the benefit of the Tribe. To transfer Tribal lands into trust, Tribes may apply to BIA, which will either approve or deny the application, or Congress may pass a bill directing the BIA to take the land into trust. Due to legacy contamination on this land due to industrial development near Commencement Bay, the BIA is unable to take the land into trust and Congressional action through legislation is “the most viable option” as the BIA affirmed in a letter to the Tribe on August 15, 2022.

Land that is taken into trust by the federal government is governed by the Tribe and can benefit from federal programs and services such as New Market Tax Credits, Tax-Exempt Financing, Discounted Leasing Rates, and Foreign Trade Zone Customs and Duty Deferral, among other benefits that protect Tribal sovereignty and allow the Tribe to create economic opportunities for its Members and surrounding communities.

The proposal for the land to be taken into trust is supported by the City of Tacoma, Pierce County, and Governor Jay Inslee.

Sen. Cantwell has consistently championed this legislation. Last Congress, Sen. Cantwell led members of the Washington state Democratic Delegation in swiftly introducing the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Act of 2022 after BIA affirmed legislation was the most viable option. In 2004, Cantwell moved similar legislation that allowed the Port of Tacoma to expand its Evergreen Shipping Terminal, which facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars of regional economic investment and the creation of thousands of new jobs.

Go HERE for the full bill text.

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