Crow Revenue Act
Crow Revenue Act
Plain Language Summary
# Crow Revenue Act Summary **What the bill does:** The Crow Revenue Act would facilitate a three-way exchange of land and mineral rights in Montana between the federal government, the Crow Tribe of Montana, and a private family trust (the Hope Family Trust). Specifically, it would allow the Department of the Interior to give up a federal coal lease at the Bull Mountains Mine, enable the Hope Family Trust to transfer approximately 4,660 acres of mineral rights to the Crow Tribe, and have Interior transfer about 4,530 acres of subsurface minerals and 940 acres of surface land to the Hope Family Trust. The Crow Tribe would need to agree to a revenue-sharing arrangement with the Hope Family Trust before the exchanges happen. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects the Crow Tribe of Montana, the Hope Family Trust, Signal Peak Energy (current operator of the Bull Mountains Mine), and the federal government.
Residents of Big Horn and Musselshell Counties in Montana could be indirectly affected depending on how mineral development proceeds. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress) and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Troy Downing, a Republican from Montana.
CRS Official Summary
Crow Revenue ActThis bill addresses the exchange of mineral interests in Montana involving the federal government, the Crow Tribe of Montana, and a private party.Specifically, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to accept the relinquishment of a specified federal coal lease associated with the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup, Montana (the current operator of the mine is Signal Peak Energy); the Joe and Barbara Hope Mineral Trust (Hope Family Trust) to convey approximately 4,660 acres of subsurface mineral interests located within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation in Big Horn County, Montana, to the tribe; and Interior to convey approximately 4,530 acres of subsurface mineral interests and 940 acres of surface interests located in Musselshell County, Montana, to the Hope Family Trust. Prior to these conveyances, the tribe must notify Interior that the tribe and the Hope Family Trust have agreed on a revenue-sharing formula for the development of the mineral and surface interests in Musselshell County, Montana.The mineral interests conveyed by the Hope Family Trust to the tribe shall be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe, upon the tribe's request. These mineral interests shall not be subject to state or local taxation.
Latest Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 375.