PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9077-9078)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 10, 2004
Bisti PRLA Dispute Resolution Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management, if any of specified coal preference right lease applications are withdrawn by the holder or holders of those applications, to issue to each such holder a certificate of bidding rights that constitutes the combined fair market value of the coal reserves for each coal preference right lease application withdrawn by the holder. Provides that such withdrawals and issuances shall occur without any further adjudication of coal preference right lease applications.
Directs the Secretary to establish a panel to determine the fair market value of the coal reserves of any coal preference right applications withdrawn under this Act. Instructs the Secretary to contract with a qualified coal reserve appraiser to assist the panel.
Directs the Secretary, after the withdrawal of a coal preference right lease application, to: (1) issue to the Navajo Nation patents to the land, including the mineral estate, subject to such withdrawn application in full and final satisfaction of the right of the Navajo Nation to select land in New Mexico and to facilitate land consolidation and mineral development in northwest New Mexico; and (2) issue a certificate of bidding rights in the amount of the fair market value of the coal reserves of such application. Provides that the Secretary's duties in issuing such patents and certificates shall be considered nondiscretionary and enforceable in a mandamus proceeding.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Sets forth provisions regarding the use of exchange bidding rights.
People & committees
Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM] · R–NM
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9077-9078)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9077)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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