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BIA approves HEARTH Act leasing regulations for Shakopee Tribe






The flags of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the state of Minnesota and the United States fly at a tribally-constructed building in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Photo from SMSC

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota has joined the growing list of tribes that are taking advantage of the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act.

The tribe's business site leasing regulations have been approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, according to a notice published in the Federal Register on Tuesday. That means the tribe won't need the agency's approval for every single lease in the future.

Approval also confirms that the tribe cannot be taxed by the local or state government for activities on its lands.

"The principles supporting the federal preemption of state law in the field of Indian leasing and the taxation of lease-related interests and activities applies with equal force to leases entered into under tribal leasing regulations approved by the Federal government pursuant to the HEARTH Act," the notice reads.

Since the HEARTH Act became law in July 2012, two dozen tribes have won approval for their leasing regulations.

Federal Register Notice:
HEARTH Act Approval of Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Regulations (March 15, 2016)

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