Bill Overview
Title: Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act of 2022
Description: This bill takes approximately 17.264 acres of specified lands in Pierce County, Washington, into trust for the benefit of the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation. Lands taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation.
Sponsors: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians
Estimated Size: 5996
- The bill specifically mentions the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, indicating that the primary group affected will be members of this tribe.
- The Puyallup Tribe is a federally recognized tribe in Washington state.
- Taking land into trust typically benefits the tribe by allowing them governance and management of the land which in turn can support the tribe's economic, cultural, and environmental wellbeing.
- The land in question is approximately 17.264 acres in Pierce County, Washington, which is a relatively small area, suggesting the direct impact is mostly local rather than national or global.
- The act essentially affects the land jurisdiction, meaning it may also involve local government and neighboring non-tribal communities in terms of local land management and coordination.
Reasoning
- The direct beneficiaries of the policy will be members of the Puyallup Tribe, whose land value and sovereignty could increase.
- The implementation side of this might involve local government staff in Pierce County, due to changes in jurisdiction and land management.
- Neighboring residents in Pierce County might experience changes in local policy application, but likely minimal impact on everyday life.
- Members of the tribe living on or near the reservation might see changes relatively soon, whereas those further away might experience less noticeable impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Cultural Resource Manager (Pierce County, Washington)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Taking more land into trust means that our cultural resources are better protected and managed by us.
- I believe this will have a positive long-term impact on our tribe's wellbeing and cultural heritage.
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 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Student (Puyallup, Washington)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly impacted by the land trust change, but I think it's good for the tribe and community.
- Land transfers can bring about new opportunities for everyone in the area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Tacoma, Washington)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think this affects me directly, but changes in land management might alter business opportunities.
- I'm supportive of the tribe having more control over their land.
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 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Tribal Member and Environmental Activist (Pierce County, Washington)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a critical step in reclaiming and managing our rightful lands.
- The environmental preservation aspects are particularly important for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Teacher (Fife, Washington)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhancing our land through trust helps improve our educational resources for children.
- The move offers long-term educational and cultural benefits for tribal members.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired Policymaker (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think any progress in supporting indigenous sovereignty is positive.
- This act might help set a precedent for other similar actions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Community Health Worker (Puyallup Reservation, Washington)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative may help improve access to adequate health facilities on our land.
- Land developments could indirectly support community health initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Real Estate Developer (Tacoma, Washington)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important to respect tribal sovereignty and see how potential zoning changes might benefit the economy.
- We need to ensure that development respects cultural sites and natural resources.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Local Government Official (Bonney Lake, Washington)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change will require coordination between local governments and the tribe to ensure smooth transitions.
- Cross-jurisdictional collaboration could set examples for future projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Artist (Pierce County, Washington)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy emphasizes tribal sovereignty which can offer more artistic opportunities to express cultural heritage.
- This can lead to new artistic ventures and collaborations with tribal members.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
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
- The policy primarily affects a small geographic and population area, limiting broader fiscal impacts.
- The transfer into trust could increase federal responsibilities in land management compliance.
- There may be legal and administrative processes involved that are not fully costed.