InsideGov
Congress · Laws

A bill to authorize certain transfers affecting the Pueblo of Santa Ana in New Mexico, and for other purposes.

Public Law 99-575 · H.R. 4873 · 99th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Oct 28, 1986 · Native Americans

Sponsor: Rep. William Richardson (D-NM-3)

Cosponsors (2): Rep. Manuel Luján,

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

Report a correction

Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Declares that all U.S. rights, title, and interests in the mineral estate of specified lands in New Mexico are to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Pueblo of Santa Ana tribe. Waives any claims or charges the United States may have or have assessed against such tribe, including claims for trespass, arising out of the removal by the tribe of minerals in such lands.

Retains an easement to the United States to operate the Jemez Canyon Dam.

Declares specified lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the Pueblo of Zia.

Authorizes the University of New Mexico to convey specified lands in New Mexico to the United States to be held in trust for the benefit of the Pueblo of Santa Ana. Dissolves the restriction that such lands shall be used for archeological purposes.

Authorizes the Pueblo of Santa Ana to convey specified lands in New Mexico to the University of New Mexico. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to publish in the Federal Register the legal descriptions of such lands.

Provides that upon completion of the above conveyances the lands conveyed by the University of Mexico to the Pueblo Indians shall become a part of the Santa Ana Pueblo Reservation.

Provides that nothing in this Act shall deprive any person (other than the United States) of any existing: (1) right of use or title or right of access to public domain over trust lands mentioned in this Act; and (2) mineral leases in such trust lands.

Amends the Cherokee Leasing Act to authorize the Pueblo of Santa Ana to lease restricted lands, except the Santa Ana Pueblo Spanish Grant, for public, religious, educational, recreational, residential, or business purposes for a term not to exceed 99 years.

Provides that the provisions of this Act relating to the mineral rights in specified lands in New Mexico are to take effect when the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register notice of his determination that the Pueblo of Santa Ana has consented to specified private easements of access over lands held by, or on behalf of, the Pueblo of Santa Ana. Requires the Secretary to determine whether the Pueblo of Santa Ana has consented to such easements no later than 30 days after the date which the Pueblo of Santa Ana requests the Secretary to make such determination.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

Report a correction

Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.

  1. Oct 28, 1986Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 99-575.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Oct 20, 1986PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Oct 15, 1986Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Voice Vote.
  5. Oct 6, 1986FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
  6. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  7. Sep 20, 1986FloorFloor · Held at the desk by unanimous consent. Pending further disposition.
  8. Sep 16, 1986FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  9. Sep 12, 1986CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
  10. Aug 13, 1986CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Natural Resources Committee
  11. Aug 7, 1986CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by House Natural Resources Committee
  12. May 21, 1986CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
  13. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

Report a correction

Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.