PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 109-45.
Congressional Research Service
Version 82 · Passed Senate without amendment · Jul 26, 2005
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 8, 2005. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Trust Act of 2005 - Authorizes the United States to take into trust specified real property formerly known as Dawson Ranch, including rights to all minerals and excluding improvements, in Kiowa County, Colorado, owned by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Tribes of Oklahoma.
Directs the Tribes to convey title to the Dawson Ranch to the United States.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Declares that all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Ranch except any facilities constructed pursuant to this Act, are to be held in trust by the United States for the Tribes.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation the improvements in fee. Permits the Secretary to construct a facility on the Ranch only after consulting with, soliciting advice from, and obtaining the agreement of, the Tribe, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and the Northern Arapaho Tribe. States that: (1) facilities constructed with federal funds or funds donated to the United States shall be owned in fee by the United States; and (2) for purposes of the construction, maintenance, or demolition of improvements or facilities, federal funds shall be expended only on improvements or facilities that are owned in fee by the United States.
Requires the Ranch to be administered in perpetuity by the Secretary as part of the Site only for historical, traditional, cultural, and other uses in accordance with the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2000. Requires that, for purposes of administration, the Secretary shall have access to the Ranch, improvements, and facilities as necessary for the management of the Site in accordance with the Act. Instructs the Secretary to take such action as is necessary to ensure that the Ranch is used only in accordance with all such requirements for the administration of the Ranch.
Amends the Act to allow the Secretary to acquire land and interests in land within the boundaries of the Site which are owned by the state of Colorado (including a political subdivision of that state) only by donation or exchange (currently, only by donation).
People & committees
Rep. Musgrave, Marilyn N. [R-CO-4] · R–CO
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 109-45.
Became Public Law No: 109-45.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Cleared for White House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9052)
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9052)
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5200)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5200)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 481.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5200-5202)
Mr. Fortuno moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 59.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 109-107.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 109-107.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on National Parks Discharged.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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