S. 239 · On the floor · Native Americans

Crow Revenue Act

Sponsor: Steve Daines (R-MT)

What it does

• Accept relinquishment of a federal coal lease at the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup, Montana (operated by Signal Peak Energy).
• Require the Hope Family Trust to convey approximately 4,660 acres of subsurface mineral interests within the Crow Indian Reservation to the Crow Tribe of Montana.
• Direct Interior to convey approximately 4,530 acres of subsurface mineral interests and 940 acres of surface interests in Musselshell County, Montana, to the Hope Family Trust.
• Hold mineral interests conveyed to the tribe in federal trust, exempt from state and local taxation, contingent on the tribe and Hope Family Trust agreeing to a revenue-sharing formula.

Official summary

Crow Revenue Act This 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…

Latest action

Sep 28, 2026: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 686.

Committee: Senate Indian Affairs