PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 108-66.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 29, 2003
Declares the right, title, and interest of the United States in certain tracts of land in Rio Arriba County and in Rio Arriba and Santa Fe Counties, New Mexico, to be held in trust for the Pueblo of Santa Clara and the Pueblo of San Ildefonso, respectively (including mineral rights). Directs the Office of Cadastral Survey to conduct a survey of the boundary lines between the properties.Declares the lands held in trust to be part of the Santa Clara Indian Reservation and the San Ildefonso Indian Reservation and directs that they be administered in accordance with any law (including regulations) or court order generally applicable to property held by the U.S. Government in trust for Indian tribes. Subjects the trust lands and other lands in the Santa Clara Pueblo Grant and the San Ildefonso Pueblo Grant that are held by the respective tribes or subsequently acquired by them to the Pueblo Lands Act of 1924.Requires trust lands to be used only for traditional or customary uses or stewardship conservation.Prohibits this Act from being construed to: (1) affect any person's (other than the United States') existing right-of-way, lease, permit, mining claim, grazing permit, water right, or other right or interest in or to the trust lands; (2) affect any existing right or claim of either Pueblo to any lands or interest in lands based upon Aboriginal or Indian title; or (3) constitute the reservation of water or water rights in the trust lands or any change in status of water rights of either Pueblo.
People & committees
Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM] · R–NM
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 108-66.
Became Public Law No: 108-66.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6877-6878)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6877-6878)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 246.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6877-6878)
Mr. Pearce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7934-7935; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S7934-7935; text as passed Senate: CR S7935)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7934-7935; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S7934-7935; text as passed Senate: CR S7935)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 124.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici with amendments. With written report No. 108-60.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici with amendments. With written report No. 108-60.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-10.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1749-1850)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1749)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.246 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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