Bill Overview
Title: To authorize leases of up to 99 years for lands held in trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.
Description: This bill authorizes the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation to lease their land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years. The tribe is located in western Washington State.
Sponsors: Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation
Estimated Size: 750
- The primary population impacted by this bill is the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.
- This tribe is located in western Washington State, and its members who live on the reservation or have trust lands would directly benefit from the ability to lease the land for up to 99 years.
- Longer leases could attract larger investments in infrastructure and development projects, which may improve economic conditions and opportunities for tribe members.
- The general Native American population in the U.S. might be indirectly impacted, as this could set a precedent for other tribes seeking similar leasing rights.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of this policy is expected to fall on the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, particularly those with land that could be newly leased under the policy. This population is estimated to be about 750 members according to governmental records.
- Given the small budget of $500,000 in year 1 and $5,000,000 over 10 years, the policy likely isn't aimed at large-scale transformation but rather incremental development opportunities such as small businesses or real estate projects.
- People outside the immediate tribe will have varied impacts. Other tribes may see this as a precedent for potential future legislation, which could have complex ripple effects.
- Individuals in the surrounding Washington community may see slight indirect economic benefits from increased activity on tribal lands.
- Non-Native populations, particularly those far from the reservation, will likely not experience any noticeable impact from this policy.
Simulated Interviews
Business Owner (Chehalis Reservation, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this is a fantastic opportunity for our tribe. Longer leases mean I can consider expanding my business with more security.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Chehalis Reservation, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy brings positive changes, but I'm not sure if it will affect me much. I have seen many initiatives that promised change.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Real Estate Agent (Olympia, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited by the potential for more partnerships with the tribe but realistic that it will take some time for opportunities to arise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Lawyer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a landmark policy for Native American tribes if it leads to similar arrangements across the country.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm curious if the policy leads to sustainable development that respects the environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Teacher (Chehalis Reservation, WA)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this could enhance education funding if the tribe prospers through new leases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Non-profit worker (Tacoma, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested to see if health resources will improve as a result of increased funding from lease incomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Investor (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could unlock new opportunities for investors interested in working with Native businesses.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Fisherman (Chehalis Reservation, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm wary about how new developments might affect our water and fish populations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Historian (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While this policy is focused on one tribe, its success or failure could be pivotal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Key Considerations
- Long-term leases could potentially boost local economies through infrastructure development and to attract business.
- Initial costs primarily involve potential administrative expenses for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- The precedents set by this policy could affect future legislative decisions regarding other Native American tribes.