Bill Overview
Title: To authorize the Seminole Tribe of Florida to lease or transfer certain land, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill allows the Seminole Tribe of Florida to lease, sell, convey, warrant, or transfer its real property that is not held in trust by the United States.
Sponsors: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals associated with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and potential external stakeholders
Estimated Size: 4000
- The Seminole Tribe of Florida is the primary entity directly impacted since the bill pertains to their property rights.
- The bill affects land that is not held in trust, implying it concerns land owned outright by the Seminole Tribe.
- Individuals connected to the Seminole Tribe, such as tribe members who live on or have interests in these lands, would be impacted by changes in land use or ownership.
- Parties interested in leasing or purchasing land from the Seminole Tribe could be newly impacted.
- Local businesses or communities adjacent to these lands may experience secondary impacts.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of this policy will be on the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The changes in property rights could affect their economic opportunities, autonomy, and future real estate strategies.
- Members of the Seminole Tribe may perceive changes in their community, social structures, or cultural sites depending on land transfers or leases.
- Since the policy does not have a direct financial implication from a government budget perspective, the impact is more about the change in legal rights and opportunities for private economic activity.
- American business entities and individuals interested in acquiring land from the Seminole Tribe could benefit from or be affected by this policy, depending on how the tribe chooses to use this new flexibility.
- The local communities near the Seminole lands might observe indirect impacts such as changes in property values, economic activities, or demographic shifts.
Simulated Interviews
Seminole Tribe Member and Business Owner (Tampa, Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the ability to lease or sell land could bring in new business opportunities for the tribe.
- There are some concerns about maintaining cultural sites and ensuring that we don’t lose our heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Real Estate Agent (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could open up a niche market for real estate deals which previously weren't possible.
- I'm optimistic about increased property transactions but cautious about the tribe’s interest rates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Legal Consultant for Tribal Affairs (Miami, Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could streamline legal processes and provide the tribe with greater autonomy.
- Need to ensure protective measures for cultural and historical sites.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Environmental Scientist (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My concern is that increased land sales could lead to habitat loss if not sustainably managed.
- This policy doesn't explicitly address environmental safeguards, which worries me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Retired (Naples, Florida)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see potential for development, but it must be balanced with the tribe's cultural objectives.
- Would prefer to see collaborative projects that benefit both the tribe and outside communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Jacksonville, Florida)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Empowering tribes with more control over their land is a positive step for self-governance.
- It's critical to involve community voices in decision making to avoid negative social impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Environmental Policy Advocate (Fort Myers, Florida)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned about potential environmental impact without clear guidelines.
- Would advocate for a policy that includes safeguards for natural habitats.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Tourism Business Owner (Key West, Florida)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased land access could enhance tourism opportunities if managed transparently.
- Critical to maintain the cultural allure of the area to sustain tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Financial Analyst (Sarasota, Florida)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Potential for new investment avenues is exciting.
- Risk needs to be well managed to avoid exploitation of tribal assets.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Government Policy Advisor (Tallahassee, Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with empowering tribal sovereignty.
- Need to ensure that it's implemented in a way that benefits all stakeholders involved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Key Considerations
- Enabling the Seminole Tribe to manage its non-trust lands freely can foster increased economic independence.
- Local economic impacts may vary depending on how the lands are utilized or developed.